Thread: Just finished my first blade restore

While at the Ohio get together I asked lots of questions, watched a lot of people and tried to absorb all I could. Armed with my new knowledge I set out to polish out my first blade. A petite J.A. Henckels that was brand new, never honed but neglected for years. I think it turned out quite well for my first attempt.

The other blade is representative of what it looked like when I got it. I was going to cut a nice set of wood scales for it, but it looks so darn nice that I may rescale it in an OEM set. So if anyone has a set of Henckels scales they would like to part with cheep, I am in the market. I was going to hone it and shave with it, but I think I will display case this one.

Nice job! Good luck with the scales!!

Very sweet. Nothing like knowledge well used.

Very nice! I'm about to start my firs blade restoration myself. Any info you picked up at the meet you think might be of use before I get going?

Daves hints for blade restoration.

Sandpaper is your friend.
Not every blade needs to start with 220 grit paper
1000 grit sandpaper will still leave striations, keep going higher in grit
Wet/Dry paper is called wet for a reason, keep it that way.
When you think you have sanded far enough to go to the next grit, sand a little more
Dremil is wonderful for polishing, but don’t sand with it
An old blade is not a dull blade, they will still cut to the bone
Start with a junk blade to practice on
Don’t rush
It a lot more work than you think


Daves list of blade restoration shortcuts

When in doubt, send it out for restoration
That is about it, there are no shortcuts for a good job


I finished up my second blade today and have a third about half finished with 4 more in the wings.

Originally Posted by cannonfodder

An old blade is not a dull blade, they will still cut to the bone

Tell me you didn't!

Dave that looks awesome. Put your scales on it for now and if find originals, change it.

BTW - I need to send you pics of a lather bowl and brush handle I spun on the lathe today. Or I'll bring it over when decide to pin some scales on.

Jerry

No blood was spilt, but I did shave some skin now and then. I learned to wrap the blade with a paper town once it was polished then move onto the shank.

I have to cut a few scales and I am going to try the epoxy finish again. I found a nice chunk of burl cherry heartwood in my scrap pile. I also have a rip trimmed chunk of birds eye maple (quarter sawn) that should make a couple dozen scales. I may cut a set of two from it.

I also picked up a 54 inch long 3 inch wide hunk of heaver leather strop today. It took a half hour to find one with the needed grain and quality for a strop. I spent a couple hours conditioning and working the leather. I will be cutting a couple of strops from it. I have some nice hardware for them. I am making a couple of paddle strops as well for diamond paste.

I have a clays shoot next Saturday, maybe the week after we can do some pinning. I should have the blades all polished and the epoxy finish will have had a couple weeks to cure.

Sounds good. Maybe we could get Baloosh over there and tell him what he missed up in Cleveland. Speaking of him, I haven't seen him on the board in a while.