Thread: A few questions for the learned...

Hi all,

I was hoping someone could help me...

I have an old Birko No 50, I picked it up for $15 and it's in pretty good shape but I would like to make it shiny and glorious again.

Firstly, the scales are celluloid but there does not appear any cell rot damage to the blade, there is however some engraving in the scales I would like to remove, I assume the original owner did so as to make sure no-one pinched his razor. Can I sand out the name without causing the scales to begin to rot?

Also I'm not sure if they blade was originally blued and has now faded, can anyone verify this from the photos?

If yes, is there a way to restore the bluing?

There looks to be "Birko Best" with the crown motif between the words on the front of the blade, can I bring the blade up shiny if it was originally a silver colour without losing this? My usual method is using sandpaper in increasingly finer increments but that would surely remove any hope of keeping the design.

The wear on the spine is particular even but the toe is shorter than the heel and the edge looks like a wave, like a combination of a very very faint frown and a smile. The heel and the toe roll upwards but the middle of the blade shows a larger bevel than the ends, it is pretty flat realistically but you know...

your help and input is always appreciated!

You can sand the celluloid with progressive grits jut fine, will not make the celluloid start to "rot". To me, the coloring looks like natural patina, not a intentional bluing job. If you want to re-blue a tang or something you can use the cold bluing kits that are sold for guns. Try to pick one up at a local store, the shipping fees for hazmat make it x4 more expensive.

As far as saving the etching, start with simple polish and see how much that cleans up the blade. If you have to get pitting out in the etch area you will most likely loose the etch

I broke the scales un-pinning them to get the insides cleaned up

Is there any way anyone might know how to save the Birko Label from the scales and attach it to a new set?

cheers!

There are several vids and post on transferring inlays
Most use acetone to melt the cell scales, then pluck the inlay out clean the rest of the gunk off with acetone, then ready to glue to new scales like a standard inlay
I do remember you should definitely polish them before you try remove them as it is a lot easier

I just use simmering hot water to warp the scales & pop the old logo off. Less smell than acetone.

I've got a spare set, in similar condition to the ones you had.
They'll need a little cleaning up but if you PM me your address you can have them
Grant

Originally Posted by onimaru55

I just use simmering hot water to warp the scales & pop the old logo off. Less smell than acetone.

I like the sound of this Oz, I have not heard it before definately sounds a lot easier & cleaner for surface inlays.
I thought I saw a post with a transfer on here recently though that had pins & a wire thing inside the scale casting not just on the surface that would defiantely need the acetone to disolve the scales to remove them.
but I would definately give the hot water trick a try first.
And keep Baly's offer as a back up if you fail & want to keep it original looking

Cheers for the tips guys,

I have a feeling I can save them but I may yet take you up on the offer Grant, thank very kindly.

Let you all know how it turns out.

Originally Posted by andrewmurray86

Cheers for the tips guys,

I have a feeling I can save them but I may yet take you up on the offer Grant, thank very kindly.

Let you all know how it turns out.

I'll be interested to follow your progress on this.

Joe