Thread: Thoughts on horn scale repair on big 'ol "Barbers Use" Elliot?

Thanks for that generous offer, Gary, and for the instructions on making a liner.

I'd like to see if I can restore them to original condition first, however. I like C utz's idea of retaining the razor's originality. When I looked again at the razor, I came to think the razor has never been used. There is no hone wear, no bevel, the pins are tight and the blade centers in the scales perfectly. If it had been stored more carefully, it would be pristine today. At any rate, if I can restore it to nearly original condition, it'll really be something special---at least to me.

Regarding balance, while I haven't shaved with it yet, I sort of went through the motions to test the balance. It seems well balanced. While the horn itself is quite light, the spacer seems to be lead and heavy enough to balance the heavy blade.

I'd just touch up the 'cracks' with CA, let it dry, and then sand the glue down with the rest. I would not worry about where the blade is pressing the horn since it is not cracking. It's going to contact that area in the future too. It seems as though the blade had been kept closed too tight with time. Just don't keep it closed as tight and you should be fine

Sand her up as is, and get that mirror polish.

If you are not happy, try Gary's liner trick and work out all those horn details that you are concerned with (i.e. the pressed contact areas). Also, you might want to find someone that can remove those pins and retain the original brass 'bulls-eye' collars if you do take her apart. If done right, it can be re-pinned in the original style, but with thin brass liners.

I'm happy to hear that someone else uses 'Gorilla glue' for slapping together scales with liners! I thought I was the only one.

C utz

Steve,

That's a beautiful razor. Elliots are every bit as good as W&Bs, in my book. Every time I part with either an Elliot or a Wostenholm, I find myself regretting it...

Good luck restoring it. Make us proud!

Josh