Thread: Sticky Proposal: What Every New Restorer Wants To Know

Ok, so I'm thinking we should put a sticky at the top of the restoration forums with basically a link to Bill Ellis' cd. It could also say to do a search before posting a common question. The Post would be called "Most common restoration answers found here" or "check this out first".

My reasoning: When I first got into restoring blades, before I even posted a question here, I got Bill's cd. It really gives as good of a foundation as anyone could need for restoring. Because I got the cd first, I never needed to ask "how do I remove pins" or "how do I make scales", etc. Not saying that these are bad questions, but nearly daily there is a new post asking one or more of these questions. I oftentimes just point them to Bill's cd and they are pleased that I did. I believe if someone is serious about restoring blades or thinking about getting into it, they would not hesitate to buy it. It might clean up a lot of the repetitive posts found here.

Obviously someone could read the post while knowing they aren't into restoring, but just need to change a set of scales- in which case they can easily do a search. Just an idea here. Any others? Not to sound like an @..hole, but I'm getting to the point where answering these questions just gets tedious when some serious information can be gotten very cheap (and worth it). Not that I am the only one to answer these posts or anything, but it may save people some time.

So no one else thinks something along these lines would be good? Even a list of where to find standard restoration q&a as a Sticky? If not, I'll shut up now...

Alex,
things that might be useful... a quick off the top of my head few...

what common grits of sandpaper to use.... how to tell when to change grits....

where to get brass pins and washers and the approriate sizes... listing both online osurces and mortar and brick places

a link to the thread on making domed washers

a how to on removing and replaces pins

tips on cleanning an repairing scales...

tips about waterproofing wood for scales

pin tightening

mass and how to use it well

Tophers' thred on polishing

general scale and metal preservations tips.. cleaning protecting and making shiny

most of these exist right here on the forum but are just not organized for easy reference


was that helpful?

i think it would be a great idea ive got Bills cd and i have never had to ask a restoration question cause all the info that i need is already here. good thinking philadelph you must be a rocket scientist or something?

I think it's an excellent idea!

Excellent idea Philadelph, This suggestion is looong over due… wish I thought if it.
It’s true sometimes you just want to find out how to remove pins, a chip, where to buy a set of pins or brass rods, washers, polishing compounds… the list goes on…

All this info is scattered all over the forum; however it gets tiresome sloughing through so many search results, when most have nothing to do with the search key words.

Should be a FAQ sticky with links to the forum tutorials and places to buy the supplies, members may add info.

While currently linking to a purchase of bill's cd is fine but what if i need an answer today... not in a week to 10 days? i like his cd and have it and a few restores from him his work is great but someone just starting out may not be all that patient.

Also, i hate to say this but Bill is not a young man and probably will only be actively perusing his craft for the next 10-15 years who knows when he will take his site down. so it would be better to have a compendium of data available right here on the site that will remain SRP property... not linking to outside resources most of his things are here in the forum in one shape or another.

Well, however it is done, it would be a good resource to have some sort of sticky at the top for new restorers. I really don't see why anyone would NEED an answer "today". I doubt they would have to pin a razor so they can shave immediately and can't buy a disposable or use something else for a week. Honestly, no matter when or if Bill decides to stop selling his cd, the fact is that it is available NOW as the best resource for this. I can think of at least two guys within the past couple days I suggested his disc to and they already have bought it.

It could also be done by making a sticky with references to all the posts on basic restoring topics, yes, but who will gather all the info needed (i.e. what links go to what threads, what threads to use, etc.)? I would do it, but I don't have that power.

why is this not a sticky yet? i know i havent been around very long but i still see the same questions day after day. i want to see new restoration ideas like the tumbler experiment not which sand paper should i use or how do i make scales. it just seems like a lot of wasted time on answering questions that have already been answered three or four times. if this doesnt become a sticky or something that will help newbies find answers then i guess i could just post in this thread everyday.

Since I started the very first straight razor forum, whether we have had liks, faqs or sticky's, we have always had the same questions day after day and the members, no matter how often they have been asked, have been kind enough to answer. Tis the nature of the beast.

Thanks,

Lynn

Just for starters, here are a few links with answers to some common questions.

Handsanding howto
http://straightrazorpalace.com/showthread.php?t=17007

Making scale step by step
http://straightrazorpalace.com/showthread.php?t=17664

Epoxy resin finish, the how to
http://straightrazorpalace.com/showthread.php?t=17422

How do you pin scales?
http://straightrazorpalace.com/showthread.php?t=7246

Adjustable pins
http://straightrazorpalace.com/showthread.php?t=15896