Thread: questions -- cleaning up early Monserrat 14

I got this razor from Spain for about $26. It's a Monserrat razor -- according to forums in Spain, razors like this one were made by Antonio Monserrat, Jose Monserrat Pou's father, probably around the time of World War I.


I don't know if the scales are original, but it was apparently repinned after a botched job, because there's scoring and pits around the pin near the shank; the wedge is a little too big, and one collar on the wedge pin was missing -- that side appears to have just been glued back in, and the ends are offset -- it's just kind of a mess and I would like to fix it up.

Here you can see the blade and the shank stamp.


The shank stamp is quite faint -- possibly the shank was heavily sanded at one point, or possibly the stamping die was worn, but I can tell it is in fact one of these:


Anyway, I have two questions -- first, the scales have raised molded numbers (5 and 8) on the inside, as can be seen here:


They have been painted black, and the black paint is kind of rough. I can see where it is chipped that the underlying material appears to be translucent and amber in color.

Here is my first question: Are these scales likely to be original? I know there were plastics around WWI, like cellulose acetate, but the raised number says injection molding to me. I don't know how popular this would have been in 1917 or so. If they are likely original, I will try to clean them up and restore them.

Here is my second question: the diameter of the shank hole is 2.5 mm (a bit over 3/32"). The old pins were 1/16" brass, and there was some play in the shank. Here is one of the old pins sitting in the shank hole:


I have never re-pinned a razor before, but I am thinking, hmm, press a bushing in there. But I have no idea where to get a 2.5mm OD, 1/16" ID bushing, and I didn't find one in an internet search. I'm starting to think dark thoughts about filling the hole with solder or JB weld and drilling. So I am appealing to the collective wisdom of the forum -- what would you do? Is there a source for bushings like this?

Thanks for any help or suggestions!

Interesting razor. I would not worry too much about putting a bushing in. Tons of vintage razors have holes larger than 1/16". I would make sure that there was no rust left in hiding around the pivot hole, get the scales spiffed up and put it back together. You can get 1/16" ID tubing at most of the remote control hobby shops. There is a thread about it in the sticky at the start of the workshop forum. http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...zed-pivot.html
and the thread on everything you always wanted to know about restoring razors and was afraid to ask
http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...wers-here.html

Yep, tubbing. I just did one myself. And used the jb weld to hold tubing in place. Havent tried it yet but it seems to be good now. Cant help with the scales.

The hole was like that when it was new, it's stamped, you will find in most vintage razors. Tc

Originally Posted by tcrideshd

The hole was like that when it was new, it's stamped, you will find in most vintage razors. Tc

I was going to say that. But sense you just told me this yesterday, i figured id let someone else say it.

Thanks for the pointer to the thread on sleeving -- I should have been able to find that myself! I think I will go ahead and do that, because if I don't then whenever I shave with this thing I will feel that little bit of play and think, "I should have put a bushing in."

your scales should never be so loose that you could feel the play without some specific effort. You will be able to move your blade 1/32" without the bushing, but you will have to try. It will not just freely clunk. However it is a good exercise in getting everything to line up just so.

You can get 1/8 od by 1/16 id tubing at Michaels or Hobby Lobby.
Put your location in your avatar and there could be someone near to help you redo this piece.

So I cleaned it up some, and I am having some trouble with the scales. When I sanded them, I could smell something familiar... when I was a boy the student council at my school would sometimes show movies and sell tickets to students to raise money for school events. The movies had to be pretty tame, and that meant old. They were on film, shown with a projector and the film was celluloid. When the can in which the film came was opened, it had a particular sharp smell.

When I sanded the scales, they smelled like that old film did -- and they didn't really smooth out even with 1500 grit sandpaper -- seems like I would open pits in them. Seems like they're decaying on the inside. So I just stopped at one point and put a couple of coats of Krylon on them. They're strong enough for now, but I'm sure the decay process that is going on internally will continue, possibly causing the paint to have the same pebbled appearance that I tried to sand away.

Anyway it's a user. I'll put it back together and use it, but with the knowledge that those scales are probably going to have to go. Current state below.

If you have any concerns about the scales decaying (cell rot) and since you don't have a lot of money invested I would opt for a different/custom set of scales. I know a lot of folks like to keep things original, myself included, but not at the expense of loosing the razor. If it is indeed cell rot you will see some fine pitting on the blade later which means if you don't replace the scales, you'll loose the blade. Also, if the scales do have cell rot keep them isolated from other scales as cell rot is contagious and will spread to other razors.

Good luck on whatever you decide and keep us up to date.......Enjoy!