Thread: Any recommendations for this restore

I found this beautiful 100-150 yo W&B at an antique store. But I am looking for some suggestions. I chose to give it some new wood scales instead of modern materials in order to help showcase its age but tell me what y'all think.

Here is the before:








Here is some after some initial oxidation removal and the choice of new scale material (Bloodwood):





I'm going to give the wood a high gloss CA finish. I'm also thinking of leaving the original grind marks.

1. So what do you think of that?

2. And what do y'all think of some of the pitting especially on the tang? Should I remove it or leave it for some character?

3. Is there anything else that y'all would do to this razor if you were the one doing the restore?

Just looking for ideas to consider.

Thanks

I would have put an edge on it, and left it alone. Those scales, if nothing's wrong with them, were perfect for showing its age. Probably whittled by hand.!!!
And the patina on the blade "was" a perfect match, too.

Leave the pits.
Its a nice razor, hone and enjoy it, just don't destroy it. [emoji22]
JMHO

I like it. I don't remove too much pitting, it's earned it's in my opinion.

Wood looks cool, although CA has been know to crack eventually on scales. However, i have no experience with it.

Originally Posted by outback

I would have put an edge on it, and left it alone. Those scales, if nothing's wrong with them, were perfect for showing its age. Probably whittled by hand.!!!
And the patina on the blade "was" a perfect match, too.

Leave the pits.
Its a nice razor, hone and enjoy it, just don't destroy it. [emoji22]
JMHO

Thanks

Yeah it was sad but the scales were not usable the edge barely poked out the bottom. But good thing I was able to get them unpinned without any damage save a little crack with the grain. So if I find a suitable partner they can be used again.

Reducing the width of the wedge would move the blade up.

Edit: wedge in the scales not the blade*

Finish is fine. I don't like removing all pits and grind marks. It took a lifetime of use and it should show some of it. I would go with horn scales. Wood is ok depending on what wood you choose.

My method with trying to keep them looking old is to get them clean clean clean, then hit them with a degreaser and the darken the steel. There are several methods. I like using Jax, that is a brand name of a metal darkener. Basically forcing a patinas. You can also do the same thing with vinegar or cold bluing. It will all give the blade a dark look. You can get some very nice effects with those three methods. If you can reuse the scales, they are pretty cool, making new scales look old is something I have not perfected, but I keep trying. The best finish I have managed is to soak horn scales in oven cleaner for a few day, and then hair bleach for a few day and then hit them with 000 steel wool.

Alrighty then. The age spots will definitely stay. Thanks for all the replies.

I'm kinda partial to giving it a little makeover with some new scales. Plus, the section of the scales that the blade sat in was carved out rather than spaced out. So to reduce the space/wedge, I would need to sand the pinned sections down a hair. Which is no problem but it would take a bit of time and I would have to unpin the non-hinge side, which a previous owner bent the pin, hammering it into the wood. So I'm a little afraid to cause it more damage unpinning that side. So I'm thinking of setting them aside for maybe another razor that it may fit a little better. But mostly I want to give it some new scales.

With that said any recommendations on some finishes other than CA glue?

A bit off topic..... but I remember a girl telling how drop dead hot a well dressed and groomed guy looked when driving & climbing out of a beaten up old car........
In a reverse on that theme I would leave the blade with patina and scuff marks and fit it into some polished horn scales. Kinda like a beaten up old guy in a shiny new car ;-)

Sent from my SM-N910C using Tapatalk

Originally Posted by JHBBlade

A bit off topic..... but I remember a girl telling how drop dead hot a well dressed and groomed guy looked when driving & climbing out of a beaten up old car........
In a reverse on that theme I would leave the blade with patina and scuff marks and fit it into some polished horn scales. Kinda like a beaten up old guy in a shiny new car ;-)

Sent from my SM-N910C using Tapatalk

I did a set of scales in Birdseye maple, that I stained to try and make look old, and finished them in Howards Bee wax and orange oil.
The stain was made by making a 50/50 solution of water and vinager, then adding steel wool. Once the steel wool dissolves, you can apply it to clean dry wood for an aged look.