Thread: Brass or Nickel pins for my first restoration?

I am jumping in with both feet. Got this old battle axe on the bay as my first restoration project. So far I have successfully removed the scales without damage and wet sanded out the tarnish and corrosion. I need to order a 1/16" pinning kit. Would you recommend Brass or Nickel? And what type of washers are preferred?

Sanded down to 1200 grit so far. Currently working on cleaning/polishing the scales.

Were you able to save the original collars?

Originally Posted by Euclid440

Were you able to save the original collars?

Had to file thru one. The other is in rough shape.

What I am really wondering is the pro's and con's of Brass vs Nickel. The brass will obviously be easier to work with. And I think it will look good with the copper plated end caps on the scales. The nickel will more than likely be more durable. But is that level of durability necessary? I see both on various razors. If it is just a matter of looks, I will just go with the brass.

It looks like the end caps are brass so I would go with brass pins.

The blade looks good! I am still learning to pin, I have had mostly poor results. Brass is easier to work with though, so you should probably start there.

Brass is a tad bit easier but nickel is okay too.
Brass is easier to find locally while nickel you would have to order.
There is a thread on who what where to do pining. I will look for it when I get home. It tells you everything you need to order and sizes for everything.

Most of us use a Stainless washer with a Nickle silver rod, but brass rod and washers will work and look fine on the brass bolsters. Look in the Library/ repair restoration/scale repair/unpinning pinning, for how to and sources. Here is the link.

Doming small washers can be made to look very close to the originals. If you go with brass, a good Hobby shop will have 1/6 in brass rod and 0 washers.

They both work about the same.

Originally Posted by Chevhead

Brass is a tad bit easier but nickel is okay too.
Brass is easier to find locally while nickel you would have to order.
There is a thread on who what where to do pining. I will look for it when I get home. It tells you everything you need to order and sizes for everything.

Awesome!! THANKS!

So here it is so far.

Still have the other pin to replace with brass. The pinning went relatively easy.