Thread: Binging out a Henckels Friordur

My first new razor arrived today. I got a Henckels Friodur 7/8 Spanish point, scalloped back razor. I eagerly opened the package and stood there admiring the first razor that did not need hours of restoration before use. The blades come in a less than flattering generic black plastic scales. The blade has a nice satin finish and looks good, but it could be so much more. So off to the garage/workshop for a few hours of work.

Let me say, this is hard steel, I mean real hard steel. I have a commercial machine shop buffer/knife grinder and it took hours to get it here. There are a lot of factory grind striations in the blade but I did not want to do any sanding, I am just tiered of sanding right now. So I start off with some coarse cutting compound to work out some of the factory grind marks. I was on that for over an hour. Then off to the white compound for another hour and finally some MAAS on the finishing wheel.After 3 or so hours Oooooo, bling! I can’t wait for tomorrow, I need some sun for a few after photos. These after photos were with the less than flattering Florissant light in the kitchen, and just don’t do it justice.

Tomorrow, it goes in a fresh set of Bacote epoxy resin scales and a hone job. The scales are still curing but will be ready for prime time tomorrow. More to come…

That blade is gonna look great!!!!!

Once I get it finished, I am going to sell it. yup, your heard that right. I got it to work up, try it out and drop it on the BST, then get two more. I just enjoy fixing them up. I may turn a silver tip brush to match the scales on the next one. Eventually I will keep one or two for me.

PM sent.....doh! It's not for sale yet?

Originally Posted by crichton

PM sent.....doh! It's not for sale yet?

Funny you say that, I have already gotten a couple about it. Maybe next order I will get 3, another Spanish, square and round. I am doing a scale job on an 8/8 Friordur for someone else in some nice tight grain lacewood in the near future. One of these days I will finish my 7/8 wedge restore. I have a tray full of shiny steel waiting scales, but I keep selling them off. The cobbler’s children have no shoos.

Nice work, Dave.

I can understand why it took so long to get those factory grind marks out. The rule of thumb I've read for buffing is don't expect it to get any scratches out--ever. Guys that do a mirror polish will grind up to the 5 micron level sometimes.

That's not really an option with a hollow ground razor blade, so it's just lots of time on the buffer.

Josh

Looking good!

I have the very same blade, really a super razor, as well as a 7/8 round point and have recently contemplated sanding one of them down to a mirror finish (I also am in the process of hand sanding a different restoration project as well...).

I had read in some other thread that using a buffing wheel may lead to overheating and loss of temper for the blade? How do you keep it cool while buffing it down?

Looooooooove these!!

Growing very fond of the spanish point too.

I'm still pretty new to buffing, but I haven't had trouble with the blade heating up too much. It actually seems to be more of a problem with the little Dremel felt wheels. I just keep the blade moving and don't hold it on the buffing wheel for more than a few seconds at a time.

It's best to use a 1750 RPM buffer, rather than a 3400 RPM model. Much safer that way.

Josh

Hmm, yes, I suppose the thread I read was in reference to using dremel wheels. I suppose because they have a very small diameter, they have a high edge speed, as opposed to using, say a 6" buffing wheel.

I may try and sand out the striations on one of my Friodurs too, and then use the buffing wheel to finish it off. I'm hand sanding another restoration, and it is tough work! (but worth it! )