Sanded my first restore, to foil. Didn't realize it till it hit the hones. What a mess.!
Sanded my first restore, to foil. Didn't realize it till it hit the hones. What a mess.!
Fortunately for me I listened to good advice before I got there but I was on my way.
"I'M SANDING AND I CAN'T STOP!"
It could happen to anyone.
When I shave with an old razor, I want to be able to think about it’s history and the hands through which it has passed until it got to me. I hope to be able to pass that along to the next owner.
If a razor is old and well-loved and can still shave, why would I want it to look as if it just came out of its wrapping? The patina, hone wear, some stains and yes, even some pitting testify to its age and usage.
I will repin and try to repair or replace the scales so the razor is usable.
I will remove rust and see if I can remove devil’s spit because, in my opinion, those are related to improper storage or handling and fixing them prolongs the usable life of the razor. I will sand out pits and polish for the same reason, but not to an extreme.
If I want a razor that looks brand new, I’ll buy one or try to find one that is NOS.
Agreed. You don't want it to look nasty or mistreated but old is actually a good thing.
[snip]
For the bicycle-conversant among us, Grant Petersen (founder/owner of Rivendell Bike Works) coined the term "beausage" to describe that wonderful patina'd quality of old razors. I can't imagine a better word for it.Quote:
If I want a razor that looks brand new, I’ll buy one or try to find one that is NOS.
I use a Dremel or even better the orange knockoff from Harbor Freight. And the felt wheels, with diamond paste. Does a fine job of polishing. I lay the razor flat on a piece of steel or aluminum to protect the edge and also to serve as a heat sink.
First few times you use power tools to polish or sand a razor, do it on something expendable. Super easy to destroy a razor. You can hand sand for the same results, just takes a little longer. For hand polishing, try a piece of an old tshirt.
Lessee the razor in question?
I finish sanding with 800 crocus paper, and oil, till the paper is wore out.
Then using a old pair of fruit of the looms (Underwear)
and emory buffing compound ( grease stick ) with a drop or two of oil, then red rouge, chromium oxide, and then finish with maas or flitz.
It takes a lot of rubbing with all things listed, especially the crocus paper.