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.