How to polish lead?

I made a lead wedge for my latest razor restore and im wondering, how do you polish lead to shine? I want to do this before installing it in the scales. And i'd like to do this without rubbing it too much thinner as right now its just about right.

Comments? Answers? Never dealt with polishing such a soft metal before.
I admit this could be a pretty dumb question. I can just grab a rag and some metal polish, but having never polished something so soft i wanted to be sure this was correct. Pardon my ignorance.

Normal polishes actually will dull the lead :(

Try High Grit sandpaper or simply a Cotton Cloth :)

I've gotten it polished with a cloth and Mothers Plastic Polish while shining up horn scales. Does great on the pins/collars too.

I test fit the wedge square, and cut lead close, with a pair of side cutters, but leaving a little over hang. Then once pinned tight, and no further adjustments are needed for centering, file or sand on a 1 inch belt sander with a 220 belt, to the scale, trying not to remove any scale material.

Hand sand with 400 and 600 W&D, lightly buff with a worn 600 grit wheel and green compound wheel.

I lightly file the inside of the wedge on 1/8 inch wedges, with a round needle file, to provide a hair more clearance, for the tip of the blade and a more refined/finished look.

Hand polish with a good metal polish. No need to polish the sides, just the edges that show. Do make sure the wedges and the inside of the scales are flat for a tight, gap free fit.

Fine sand paper. Got it. Guess ill be making a new wedge. No biggie. I got this one just right. Figures i should have stopped a bit on the big side. Ha. Live and learn.
Oh, and i sure like the idea of rounding the edge closest to the tip. That sounds like it would give a better look. Thanks guys.
I was having a hard time trying to figure out how to ask this question without it sounding really dumb. And lude comments were boucing around my head a lot. So much could have gone wrong with this question. :)

Jerry before you make a new one

Put this one together using the Microbolts you should have on the bench :)

Rub the Wedge end vigorously on an old wash cloth, there should be enough give there to polish the Lead if that doesn't work then you make a new one :)

You also might want to consider a coat of lacquer or other clear varnish over the lead as it will inevitably oxidize and go the familiar dull grey colour that you're trying to avoid.

Sound like a plan Glen. Ill give it a go. Plus the idea.of some kind of clear on the lead sounds like good advice too. You know it will tarnish for sure. Thanks.

I know it's done but why would one use lead? We take it out of gas, paint, pencils why put it next to our face? Asbestos wedges anyone? :)

Thats the bad, The good is we always take it fishing with us, I thought it was an interesting idea,Ty

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Originally Posted by gcbryan

I know it's done but why would one use lead? We take it out of gas, paint, pencils why put it next to our face? Asbestos wedges anyone? :)

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How is the lead of a wedge of a razor going to get on your face. You must shave very different than I do.

If I wanted a shiny wedge I would not use lead but then again the patina of lead is not bad looking in my opinion.

Well a whole lot more of vintage is lead wedges, and your shaving with it not eating it. Tc

It's on your hands potentially isn't it? I don't eat paint or pencils either.

Are there any new straight razor manufacturers who use lead wedges? If not, why not?

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Originally Posted by gcbryan

It's on your hands potentially isn't it? I don't eat paint or pencils either.

Are there any new straight razor manufacturers who use lead wedges? If not, why not?

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Potentially on your hands yes. I don't eat paint and pencils either but someone somewhere decided that some people may do that and therefore none of us should have the chance of doing that.

With other cheap options and the paranoia in society about things that may hurt us I can understand why modern manufacturers do not use lead in their products. Even if they have sharp blades and are made for adult males.

I went with lead because i havent before. Plus i understand it is what was used long ago. I thought about silver too. Still thinking silver but dont know where to buy it at a decent cost. I havent finished with this razor so who knows what it will end up with but lead was easy to work with. Ill try not to eat with it. Plus i play with gas all day. A little lead isnt going to harm me.

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Originally Posted by Gasman

I thought about silver too. Still thinking silver but dont know where to buy it at a decent cost.

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Go to a gold/silver exchange (precious metal dealer) buy a 1 oz. round of silver and chop away.:)

We have this mentality of everything is bad for you, but that's ok if your afraid of your own shadow, this world Takes all kinds. I just choose to not worry about things like this, you get just as much bad stuff in your system sitting in your car, so are you going to stop driving, I think not. How about you stop eating , the food you eat has quite a lot of bad stuff in t. I can do this all day but, lead on your razor wedge isn't going to hurt you, or a whole lot of guys over the past 300 years must have died from lead poisoning.

Hey by the way that computer your on emits waves bad for you too. Tc

Oh and the reason it isn't see in reduction razors(cause you can get them in customs) is cost, like everything in business there are cheaper materials they can use

I don’t worry about it too much, I have been handling lead in one form or another for most of my life, and just wash my hands well, after handling. I have a sink in the shop.

I do wash my hands, probably more than most, I just like my hands clean and don’t like to wear gloves, unless I absolutely have to.

Yup, now day most things will kill you, eventually.

I always thought lead was used as wedges, to provide just a bit of weight for balance and because it was easy to shape. Back then they did not know about most stuff being toxic.

I use lead wedges with all Sheffield restores, with Horn scales.

Hmm, silver got me thinking. How about using a nickle or quarter? Might be about the right thickness. Hmmm.

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I thought about a coin but silver is only on the outside. If you cut it to shape its no longer going to be silver except for one edge. Maybe two if your lucky. I think lead will be just fine. I'll try to polish like Glen said, and if thats not enough, make another. Its all for fun.

And i also do lots of stuff bad for me. I do it for work. Driving a bomb in todays traffic? I must be insaine or have a death wish but i do it anyway. :rofl2:

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Originally Posted by Clayglen

Hmm, silver got me thinking. How about using a nickle or quarter? Might be about the right thickness. Hmmm.

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Yep it works using an older Silver coin

Hint : A Key a simple house key at the back end also can work, and they are lighter with the cutouts and cheaper.. many are actually Nickel Silver

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Originally Posted by Gasman

I thought about a coin but silver is only on the outside. If you cut it to shape its no longer going to be silver except for one edge. Maybe two if your lucky. I think lead will be just fine. I'll try to polish like Glen said, and if thats not enough, make another. Its all for fun.

And i also do lots of stuff bad for me. I do it for work. Driving a bomb in todays traffic? I must be insaine or have a death wish but i do it anyway. :rofl2:

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Lead is fine, I'm sure. The hazards are more common if ingested or handled daily. Red meat though! Oh and global warming will get us way before lead. [emoji6]
I was thinking coins not just for silver... a nickle would be shinny cool too, I have heaps of Aussie 20 cent pieces, more than enough shiny bits. Kinda seems lucky too. [emoji6]

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I have made washers out of pennies.

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