Thread: This is my first project, Iowa Barber Supply Co.

These are some bad cell pics but its what I got, Far as I can tell it is 4/8 does not seem honed out, hone wear seems even across spine. A couple tiny dings in the edge and a broken scale. I am going to try and make some clear scales and get her all sanded up nice. This was found in a co workers garage and given to me pretty stoked!

Well these are at least maybe bigger pictures I am horrible with any camera.

Looks good, should clean up nicely.

Are you going to reuse the bolsters, they look nice, is that a separate collar or part of the bolster?

Some acetone will get them off in one piece.

I am not going to re use the bolsters. It is a separate collar. So far it seems to be cleaning up well

Well here we are a couple days later and this is what I ended up with for my first "restore". It is nothing fancy but for what I had I am not complaining. 1/8 " lexan scraps, brass micro fasteners and hand sanding most everything. The black spots that are on the blade I could not get to budge so I left them. I was a bit tentative with this because I don't want to get heavy handed and damage anything but again I am happy I like it. Please feel free to clue me in on how I can do better next time constructive criticism is always appreciated Thanks for all the advice from you fine helpful folks

That looks pretty darn for a first time. You should be proud of yourself!
You saved a vintage razor. Now get the puppy honed up and use it!
You can't always remove all the "ugly" areas unless you buff it like mad and then you have nice shiny pitted areas.
How does the edge look? You need to look for any pitting or rust that might be in edge area..... Then means more work to get to clean usable steel to have a nice edge.

Thank you I am pretty happy, now I am just nit picking myself but I can always improve. I don't see any issues along the edge I am hoping to get hones for Christmas so I will try honing if that happens. I am anxious to give it shave : )

We are always our worst critic! You be proud of that razor and keep it. A reminder to yourself of what can be done to make something workable again. And the hard work and planning you put into it. All our skills improve when we do them more and learn more tricks or techniques.

Looks great! I don't see a wedge in there. Did you use some sort of spacer on the wedge end?

In the future you might want to ruduce the width of the scales. A lot of people make them wide on they're first atempts and it kind of dwarfs the blade IMO. I usually try to make my scales about the same width as the blade. I first figure out how I want the top of the blade to sit, then draw the bottom just low enough to safely gaurd the blade.

Originally Posted by BeJay

Looks great! I don't see a wedge in there. Did you use some sort of spacer on the wedge end?

In the future you might want to ruduce the width of the scales. A lot of people make them wide on they're first atempts and it kind of dwarfs the blade IMO. I usually try to make my scales about the same width as the blade. I first figure out how I want the top of the blade to sit, then draw the bottom just low enough to safely gaurd the blade.

Thanks BeJay I see exactly what you mean it is only a 4/8ths blade but yes the scales are large in comparison I will make a note of that in the future. yes no wedge I actually used the same brass washers as I did for the micro fasteners, 1 was not enough and 3 was to many so there are 2 washers on the wedge end. I tried making a wedge but struggles and frustration got the better of me and then I thought hey I have all these little washers why not? I like the idea of a colored wedge with clear scales but I kinda like what I have too kinda like a rat rod razor ; ) I know that now I can not wait to do another and get better with each one and acquire more tools,that should make my wife happy ;D