Thread: Help with an 8/8 Butcher restore

I never put more than one in the vibrating tumbler. I read through a really old thread before I tried it. It said fairly clearly in the old thread that putting more than one in the tumbler at a time would cause chipping. I'm not sure where you read it was Ok to do so. Sometimes you have to consider who gives the advice at the same time. There are thousands of members here and everyone can voice their opinion. You need to weigh who's opinion you are accepting.

I know, I'm still young and have a lot to learn. One of the first threads on using a tumbler was done by gssixgun, and he did imply that he did not want to put more than one in until it had been proven effective. I'm not sure if it was that same thread or not, but it was mentioned more than once during my research that people would use up to 5 razors in the tumbler with no negative results, depending on the size of the tumbler. I reload, so I know all about tumblers. I don't have the biggest one so that rules out putting 5 in at once, but I figured 2 would be ok. It's totally my fault so I'm not pointing my finger at anyone. I'm just disappointed that my 8/8 razor might be a 7/8 by the time I hone out these chips now I know so it's fine. I also snapped the tang in half on a mint condition pipe razor. The thread I followed had detailed pictures and lots of positive results from multiple members on bending a warped tang to make it fit in the scales. I should have just tried to remove material from the scales. Oh well I guess people have had more expensive lessons learned I just hope mine take a break for a while. I'm really busy with school this semester, but I hope to have some progress pictures up soon.

Learning new skills always comes at a price. No matter what we are learning it usually means some wasted material on mistakes. When it comes to restoring razors it means messing up otherwise good blades and scales. We either pay someone else or pay to learn, it's just the way it is. I have messed up a few blades & scales, and I'm sure I'm not done yet. It is sad when it happens all the same. A 8/8 razor honed down to 7/8 is still a much heftier blade than one that was made 7/8, hopefully she will still shave like an 8/8.

Originally Posted by prodigy

. I also snapped the tang in half on a mint condition pipe razor. The thread I followed had detailed pictures and lots of positive results from multiple members on bending a warped tang to make it fit in the scales. I should have just tried to remove material from the scales.

Been there Brother... NOT a good feeling

Originally Posted by RezDog

How far to go is always a hotly debated subject here. I think it is a delicate balance between erasing the rust, both red and black, without erasing too much of the pitting and marks that make it look it's age. Everyone has their own level of taste there.

I agree. How far you go is a matter of preference.

I used to not like the sight of pits after a restore, but I started looking at it from a different angle of life. The pits stay, but all rust goes. I like to hand sand the rust and spots off. I don't try to sand down the pits, since that has potential to wear away material and damage the blade. I typically hand polish the blade to a shiny finish, but sometimes I'll give it a patina look with a vinegar wash.

I guess you can throuw in 5 at the same time when their edges are already damaged and will need a lot of honing anyway. (I don't have a tumbler so I don't realy know anything about them)

a 7/8" razor is still a verry big piece of steel to shave with

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So i was really frustrated after the incident with the tumbler, so i decided to take the scales i had made for the pipe razor, that snapped at the tang, and put in a nice W&B The Celebrated Boston Razor in its place. Im very happy with the end results, what do you guys think? Also, is there any hope for this pipe razor? It was in such good shape besides the tang snapping clean off at the pivot. The etchings are very clear and there is only like a miniscule spot of rust on the entire thing. Is it just trash now or can i do anything to salvage it? Thanks.

I can't find the thread I was looking for, the gist of the thread was making fixed handles for formerly folding razors. Some of the razors had broken tangs while others had been shortened. Essentially there were regrinds on the tangs and they were fitted to horn and wood handles making them fixed blade razors. A picture is worth a thousand words and there were a lot of pictures in that thread. Maybe someone else will find it first and link it.

Ok so i also have an 8/8 FBU that i got a steal on as far what they have been going for on fleabay. It was pretty rough in the pictures, and it also came with another broken razor. I think thats why i got it so cheap(relatively). Here is some before and after. I unpinned it, soaked the scales in neatsfoot, put the blade in the tumbler for a good deal, and did a very little amount of light sanding on the really bad spots. It still has some black spots here and there, as i did not want to sand it down to fresh steel across the entire blade. Question: Should i buff out the black stuff to prevent future damage due to oxidation, or is it fine the way it is. I am happy with the end result and am just waiting to hone this beauty until i get some feedback on if it is ready for that step.

there ya go. Back in service and no so worse for wear. The original scales look great too, still showing a little age. Nice job.

In theory the black is still rust. A lot of guys leave that little bit. You should be able to get it with steel wool and polish.