Thread: 7 Day Set Restore Advice

Nice set. I'm chiming in here because I have a Clauss 5/8 seven-day set with ivory scales and want to refer back to this thread when the time comes. Picked up the set for a fairly cheap auction starting price, because another eBayer who "won" was out of the stated delivery range and had been obnoxiously harassing the seller. But I've done nothing to the set for around three years because the box needs to be reworked. The advice to show it to a bookbinder is very helpful.

Hello all,

I've finally started cleaning these up. I've polished one up, honed it and had a nice shave with it, so it's going well so far. I have another question though... what's the best way of cleaning the bit I've shown in the photo?

Thanks for the help so far.

Mark

Originally Posted by markc1975

Hello all,

I've finally started cleaning these up. I've polished one up, honed it and had a nice shave with it, so it's going well so far. I have another question though... what's the best way of cleaning the bit I've shown in the photo?

Thanks for the help so far.

Mark

If it’s just patina, I suggest using a toothbrush and some MAAS or Autosol or Mothers metal cleaner. That will remove the oxidation and leave a protective polish. Oh, amd some elbow grease

I have used a cheap small wire brush about a half inch wide ( double sized tooth brush) Usually an auto parts store has them. Don't use a brass one, it may brass plate the steel if there is any acid around. Done that!

~Richard

The very best way is with a soda blast kit, a rotary steel wire wheel in a Dremel, a ton of patience and wet dry over a small triangle file. A file tends to be ineffective because the steel is the same or greater hardness than the file.


P.S.
Badger is a super common brand name for modeling soda blasters.

Hi, I agree with Shaun. From my early learning curve, I try to fit tools to possible experience of the OP.
;~Richard

Thanks for all the advice so far.

I have polished up 2 of the blades, and honed them. They turned out really nice. I started at 240 grit wet & dry, then worked up through 360, 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1500, 2000 & 3000 grit, followed by polishing with Peek metal polish. The blades are nice and clean, managed to get most of the surface marks and light pitting out, so I just need to clean the bit behind the heel. I'll try the triangular file, and the wire brush techniques and see what works best for me.

Happy New Year by the way, hope 2019 is good to you!

I do it with the wire wheel as Shaun said. Just put some tape on the scales to help protect them if you slip. It might not keep all scratches off if you slip but it helps.

Hello all,

I finally finished them. Took a while as my mother got sick, so I was helping look after her. But I recently finished polishing them up, and they came up nice. There's some black marks inside the scales, which I'm working on with some isopropyl alcohol and small cotton buds.

I've re-honed another 2, and the last 3 need a slight bevel reset before I get to honing them.

Thanks for all the tips and advice on here, I've really enjoyed this as a starter project. I plan on using this set, though I don't think I'll ever stop looking for another set to clean up!

Kindest regards,

That looks like you did a GREAT job on those. TLC. Happy to read this and see that members pointed out the ivory scales. A beautiful set indeed.