Thread: Peening the Scales to the Blade

I have watched the Bill Ellis straight razor restoration video a few times where he peens the scales to the blade and was wondering if you guys have any additional tips on doing this from your experiences. Also is it necessary to have an anvil with small holes drilled in it (or something else with a small round hole) to round the end of the pin, or can you just use a hammer and a hard flat surface and lightly shape the end of the pin by hammering on all sides? I am guessing that the former alternative is much better, but I was wondering what you guys do for this.

Thanks,
David

I just use a regular anvil, but you would have to file the ends of the pin to make them nice and round.

That sounds like a good idea.

I bought a small plate of welders steel at sears then drilled a few small indentations on it. It works like a charm.

That sounds like a great idea too. What size whole do you need to drill? Do you put this on an anvil or another piece of steel or is the steel thick enough on its own?

I assume you're talking about peening the first end before you put things together? I drilled a hole in some hard maple so the pin sticks up about 1/4 inch. I then peen it until it mushrooms a bit so it will hold a washer. I put everything together, cut the other end as close as I can and then peen it down. The hole is 3/32 to easily slide in the 1/16 rod.

My anvil at the moment is the back side of a DMT plate My hammer is a spoon...

I love being broke...

Originally Posted by Kyle76

I assume you're talking about peening the first end before you put things together? I drilled a hole in some hard maple so the pin sticks up about 1/4 inch. I then peen it until it mushrooms a bit so it will hold a washer. I put everything together, cut the other end as close as I can and then peen it down. The hole is 3/32 to easily slide in the 1/16 rod.

I am sorry Kyle, but I don't really understand how you use the whole in the wood to get the end of the pin to bloom? I think that I remember Bill Ellis using pliers with a whole drilled in them. He holds the pin in the whole and peens the top into the bloom. I don't understand what is holding your pin in place though.

To bloom the pin there is a craters anvil, They are inexpensive, and already have small hollows drilled into them.

Phil

Originally Posted by floridaboy

To bloom the pin there is a craters anvil, They are inexpensive, and already have small hollows drilled into them.

Phil

Thanks Phil, would I get one of these at some type of online Jewlery supply store?