Thread: Thessen Razor

How could you really tell? Take them to a jeweler?

Usually, your older metal scales were either aluminum, or silver (in my very limited expereince). I've seen this make before with silver scales, however I might be mistaken. They will be a little on the heavy side if they are (versus the aluminum). As for tarnish distribution, I don't handle silver much myself...but would imagine that the surface with the most contact (the higher areas) would have less tarnish from rubbing off than the recesses...but, oils in the skin might attract more tarnish...Ok, I can go in circles chasing my tail all day on this. The point of the matter is, I really don't know

One way to check....use a little silver cleaner on a small area

C utz

Good Idea C. I'm going to have to try that.

Phil

OK, I think These might actually BE silver. I tried silver polish in the area the lady is looking, and that is supossed to be a mirror, Her reflection is there. Opinions?

If you remove the scales from the blade, it might have stamped on the inside if they are silver (you might not have to do this to see if it's there). I've also seen it stamped somewhere on the outside of the scales...but those look a little busy.

You could always check the density! (d= mass/vol) (If it's about 100% silver, which it very well might not be.... It should be about 10.5 grams/mL). Try the Archimedes trick and see how much water they displace, assuming that water is about 1g/mL.



OR, if I recall correctly....Silver should conduct heat rather well (ever have tea with a real silver spoon? That spoon gets damn hot compared to stainless steel). SO, make a cup of tea and see how hot the scales get when placed in the tea....

(I'm just FULL of dumb ideas!)

C utz

If it was my razor , I would take some WD40 and a cotton rag and get the rust off the blade . Then I would take it to a jeweler and see if they can tell me what the metal is . Judging from the pics , I'd say they are sterling or silver plate . What ever they are , they are nice looking scales .

I say..... (I had to butt in)

Go to the jeweler (if you don't want to play Mr.Wizard...rest his soul) find out what metal you have on that cutter. THEN send her down to Joe Chandler for a regrind/clean-up and a new lease on life!

(my $0.02, again. I guess I'm up to $0.06 now....)

C utz