Approaches to Restoration: To Remove or Not Remove...

Please note this is only my opinion and the I have the highest regard for all restoration work.

I'm new at this and call me old fashioned, but there's something about an item being "stock" that entices me. For instance, blades can be removed, rescaled, etc. But I'm wondering, is there a school of thought among you that feel to do so, you are changing the material value of the item?

Let me explain what I mean. I have a blade is very good condition. However, there is an obsessive desire within me that the blade could be cleaner if the blade were removed from the scales, especially around the tang. However, to remove them means to remove the silver bolts and replace them with new and modern brass bolts (not sure if silver color are available). This bothers me because I would be materially changing the razor. Am I crazy?

So I guess the question should be more functional than aesthetic. Will the blade be better off if it is removed fromt the scales and cleaned? For instance, will this stop the spread or rust any better than just cleaning what I can see with the scales on? I'm not crazy, if the blade is better off being removed fine, but if I can keep the blade old and vintage I would rather that. I will tell you that the value of the blade has no importance to me. I buy razors strictly for my own use, not to make a profit. I just value the vintage of the razor.

I do think the restorations I see in this forum are beautiful, especially the custom scales. Although, I would prefer original, stock scales myself.

Not sure if this has been raised before but please indulge me with a response and put my mind at ease. Thank you in advance.

Removing the scales to avoid rust can help prevent further damage.
Otoh you should not be afraid about a razor rusting through and through. If you maintain it, it will never happen despite the grime and oxidation between the scales.

It really comes down to preference: do you like your razor to be clean, or do you like it to be original.

If your only concern is the brass pins, then use silver pins instead.

I'd be more concerned about removing the pins. It is very easy to make a slip and damage the scales.

The idea of popping the pins just to clean under the pivot area totally turns my stomach... I believe that the razors should be left as original as possible... If the razor is the rusted out under there then most likely the scales are damaged there as well, if the scales are damaged then by all means take the razor down "field strip" it so to speak, clean it all up and replace the scales...
Another trick that works is dental floss or kite string with a good metal polish on it to clean up under the scales..
If you have ever heard of a product called Kroil this will also help remove gunk and most active rust with out damage to any scales that I have seen so far (I would be hesitant to use this on natural materials)

I'm new at this and call me old fashioned, but there's something about an item being "stock" that entices me. For instance, blades can be removed, rescaled, etc. But I'm wondering, is there a school of thought among you that feel to do so, you are changing the material value of the item?
There isn't a school of thought here, it's all personal. The value of the item won't go down either way you look at it. If it is mint, then it goes up, if it was old and dirty, gets cleaned and rescaled with something nice, it goes up also.

Let me explain what I mean. I have a blade is very good condition. However, there is an obsessive desire within me that the blade could be cleaner if the blade were removed from the scales, especially around the tang. However, to remove them means to remove the silver bolts and replace them with new and modern brass bolts (not sure if silver color are available). This bothers me because I would be materially changing the razor. Am I crazy?

So I guess the question should be more functional than aesthetic. Will the blade be better off if it is removed fromt the scales and cleaned? For instance, will this stop the spread or rust any better than just cleaning what I can see with the scales on? I'm not crazy, if the blade is better off being removed fine, but if I can keep the blade old and vintage I would rather that. I will tell you that the value of the blade has no importance to me. I buy razors strictly for my own use, not to make a profit. I just value the vintage of the razor.
For me, it is the function of the razor that is most important. That being said, I do not shave with a rusty or dirty old razor. I feel that cleaning the pivot area is often worth taking the scales off. Not on a mint razor though. You can get silver pins to re-pin the scales with. That being said I do not put any value on those plain looking scales found on most razors. Like the black celluloid with rounded bottoms. I would take those off of any razor probably.

I do think the restorations I see in this forum are beautiful, especially the custom scales. Although, I would prefer original, stock scales myself.
Really it is all personal. I myself do not own 1 razor that I'm planning on keeping that I think would look better "stock" than with my own custom scales. If someone hates the fact that I rescale most razors that's their business. Doesn't bother me how they feel. I won't lose any sleep. In the same way, when I resell re-scaled razors, they don't need to buy them. :shrug: