Dont know about these scales

I took this razor and soaked it in neatfoot oil for 2 weeks hoping to get the horn scales to soften up and become a little better for restoring but they didn't seem to get any better looking. I'm not sure if I was to unpin and start sanding on the scales, if they would get better or if the splits in the horn would just start to fall apart more. So I'm asking for some comments from others that have been in this spot before. The blade is in need of a lot of help too and wont be a display piece no mater what I do but If It can still become a good shaver and in its original scales, I'd put some time into it. I'm not too excited about this one that for sure.

Comments?

You know better. We need pictures. I generally unpin the razor and soak the scales while I am working on the blade.

Damn! Forgot the pictures. Sorry. Thanks for posting or I might not have looked. Guess I had too many thing on my mind when I started the thread.Attachment 276764Attachment 276765Attachment 276766

As far as the blade goes, think about how much of the stabilizer I'd have to grind away after getting the frown out. Not too sure its worth the work.

You have nothing to lose. I would unpin the blade. Soak the scales in neetsfoot oil. Sand. As for the escutcheon I would remove what is left. If you have an old broken bone or ivory scale try to shape it to fit in the recess and Superglue it in. Or fill it with silver solder, melted in with a soldering iron. If neither works then go to plan "B, new scales.

I think that sums up my thoughts too. Sometimes these things present good learning opportunities. You could soak them and save them for a later project if you are feeling like your skills are not there.

I un-pinned them and found that both scales were cracked thru the pivot ends. Just about fell apart after pulling the pin. Well, I went ahead and worked on shaping the razors edge and shoulder. Then I put it in the to-do box.
Thanks for the replys.

I would glue the together with CA and make a pattern from them. Handy things those patterns.

Good idea! I scrubbed them up first as they sat in oil for 2 weeks. After a good drying I'll glue them up tomorrow. I got a lot of bad scales for patterns now days. I mark them with a black sharpie so I dont try to did them out for use on other razors. Thanks Shaun.

Well, first off, should have made the repairs first, then soak in oil. JMHO

I agree Mike. But i fivured it wouldnt hurt anything if i was to soak the blade too. Although it was a bit of a mess when unpinning. Next time!