Thread: Lead Wedges

Hey Guys:
Looking for a little advice on Lead Wedges
I have "restored" at least to shaving several razors which originally had lead wedges.
None of them were actually large enough to put back in and have the blade seat deep enough (not even close) for my liking.
So my question is:
What do most of you do to get them back to service?
Make new wedges?

Thanks!
Mike

Make new wedges

Is this a common problem then?
Never seem to get a re-useable one

If the demensions of the new scales are exact to the old scales,They can be re-used,but a couple thou diff can make a huge diff.
I just did an Ivory Re-scale (one side) the scales were .050,The old lead wedge worked fine as the new scale was exact in size and thickness.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/custo...et-edge-2.html
some pertinent info here....

This is the razor in question
I am re-using the scales but the wedge wasn't large enough to start with
http://straightrazorpalace.com/show-...ing-grind.html
I've had several others that also seem waaaay too small as well only allowing the blade to go in slightly
Mike

Unless you eat it.lead is not toxic,same with mercury (which you can eat and swallow or inject) it will not kill you in elimental form.

Lead exposure occurs through inhalation, ingestion or occasionally skin contact. Lead may be taken in through direct contact with mouth, nose, and eyes (mucous membranes), and through breaks in the skin. Tetraethyllead, which was a gasoline additive and is still used in fuels such as aviation fuel, passes through the skin; however inorganic lead found in paint, food, and most lead-containing consumer products is only minimally absorbed through the skin.[22] The main sources of absorption of inorganic lead are from ingestion and inhalation.[21] In adults, about 35–40% of inhaled lead dust is deposited in the lungs, and about 95% of that goes into the bloodstream.[21] Of ingested inorganic lead, about 15% is absorbed, but this percentage is higher in children, pregnant women, and people with deficiencies of calcium, zinc, or iron.[15] Children and infants may absorb about 50% of ingested lead, but little is known about absorption rates in children.[

Yes, another aspect to get creative with. Contrasting or complimentary, wood, bone, horn, plastic, or metal. Just stay away from working with lead, it's toxic.

I don't see it as a problem unless you're a stickler for original parts. It can be a chore to get the surfaces perfectly flat so they mate properly but if the original wedge isn't to your liking or you're making new scales, then a new wedge is the only way.

Can't tell ya how many sinkers and decoy weights we made as kids.
Maybe that explains some things