Thread: Beginner Restoration Questions

I asked this in another forum but here is probably a lot more fitting.

I was thinking about purchasing a vintage straight razor or two and wanted to get some good beginner tips on how I can clean up a vintage straight razor. I have become very proficient at cleaning safety razors but cleaning straights is over my head. I have no power tools to speak of so I just want suggestions on very basic cleanup/restoration.

I have no pictures right now but basically wanted to clean up a vintage razor. The scales look to be in good condition so I wouldn't want to remove them or anything. No crazy rust or pitting or anything like that, but if I just wanted to restore the razor some, what easy things can I do? Should I get wet/dry sandpaper and hand sand? I have lots of metal polish lying around as well. I have done some digging but must guides I find involve power tools of some kind and/or removing scales. Is there an easy way to remove scales (for the purpose of cleaning) and put them back on again after?

If there are any good threads on this and/or videos please direct.

There are several videos in the Library here on SRP to show how to restore straight razors. First, I would try metal polish to see how well the blade cleans up before I did any sanding. I have had blades that I swore were going to need heavy sanding but ended up only needing polished. If you do have to sand use wet/dry sandpaper and hand sand. Use only the finest grit needed to remove any rust, if you go too course you have a lot of work ahead of you removing the scratches. Start with maybe 1000 and if that doesn't work try some 600, 400 or 320 until you find the one that starts removing the rust, then you can move back up the grits and finish with polish. Good luck and be sure to post some pics, we love pics here...........

The prime ingredient in doing cleaning and hand restoration is elbow grease. I often combine it with WD-40, 0000 steel wool, Mothers mag polish, and a few rags. That can get most blades good and clean and even remove some corrosion. If you want to go deeper you can remove scales and re-pin razors without power tools. A pine vice and a plot point drill bit, and a fine file, a block to use as an anvil, some side cutters and a domed or small ball peen hammer are pretty much all you need. Basic maintenance and cleaning does not require a many tools. In fact you don't need a lot of tools to do heavier restorations and scales either. In the right hands power tools can make it go faster, but are not required.
There is some good reading http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...wers-here.html

Here is one picture that the seller sent me. It's a 132 Red Imp made by Case. It seems to be a 1/4 hollow or close to a near wedge. Condition doesn't look too bad but I'd like to clean it up some when I get it. I guess I will start with metal polish and go from there. I was intrigued by it b/c I usually see mostly full hollows, in which this has a heavier grind, plus the red scales look cool too. Will this turn into a good shaver?

Should I sand the scales or will polish do for cleanup?

Yes on the red imp you will want to use the polish on the scales too. They are excellent shavers an they have 2 models the 132 & 133 ( also Morris made one) one is hollow the other is near wedge one thing you need to look out for with them is that the scales warp and they shrink so you may have to disassemble it to repair/replace.

I know this because I have one that's sales were warped so I tried to repair them an found out that they were to small so I purchased another with a crap blade an mint scales to use an they were to short for both razors.

The first thing I do before sanding is use a rag and some metal polish just as stated above. That will often times give me an idea of how much work is really needed. I've had some razors that someone used sand paper on and I think they could have just used polish. In fact one of the first razors that I've restored I could have just polished. Spent a lot of extra time on work that didn't need to happen. Less is better in a lot of circumstances. A couple tools that I don't regret getting for removing scales is a file, flush cutters and a jewelers saw. I end up using them for other stuff also.

Hey guys, so I received the razor and yep, the scales are pretty warped. Now I wanted to know is it best for me to try and straighten them out or should I just purchase new scales? I am assuming that even if I successfully straighten them that this will occur again? They are such nice scales to look at. I'm almost certain the razors edge hits the scales because the scales touch at one point (when the razor is closed).

Also if I need to remove the scales, how would I remove the pins without power tools? I read flush cutters are the best way? Thanks. The actually blade itself is in great condition, I think soap and water plus some polish will be enough, so that's the upside.

There is a good tutorial by Glen (gssixgun) on how to go about straightening warped scales.

Have a look here:

Fixing warped scales - Straight Razor Place Library

I prefer to not use powertools at all when removing scales. I use a metal file that is in a swiss army knife and a pin vice with a 1/16" drill bit. I'm not quiiiiite good enough to balance the filing and drilling to save all washers, but I'm also as patient as tiger being poked with a sharp stick.

This is similar to the pin vice (I call it my drill thingie) I use, mine was $10 from hobby lobby and came without bits. It's nice because it has a bunch of sizes held in it and have used it to hold a rod when I am starting the peening.
Pin Vice with Drill Bits | Hobby Lobby | 858498

OOO steel wool and WD40 will get it clean, wool wrapped wooden coffee stir stick will get between the scales. 1k and 800 wet and dry will polish up the blade and scales, then metal polish and a paper towel, will make it shine.

Straighten the scales with hot water, popsicle stick and some clamps.

If you want to unpin a 1/16 in drill and pin vise as said or pick up a 1/16 in drill with a built in hex head, works great for a handle. Just file the pin head flat, center punch the pin and drill. Work on a 6mm, 9X11 sheet of craft foam 1-2 dollars, to steady the razor.

But, unless you have a lot of rust at the pin, or broken scales, you don’t need to unpin.

Charlie Lewis, (Lewis Razor) has a great video on making a pair of scales with hand tools. Tons of resto's have been done with just hand tools...