Thread: Red Imp: Restore Attempt!!!

Originally Posted by gssixgun

OK guys this is after the 400 grit, a whole lot of of 400 grit, seems like the 400 is sorta like the 4000 grit water stones it is the workhorse number....
There is a little trick I use on guns when polishing the rails on a bolt action for smoothness, that I use in the 400-1000 grit area that seems to work on razors as well....First lets make the assumption that everyone is using the black Wet or Dry sandpaper here, and not regular tan Wood sanding paper, also from talking to most of you in the restore chat I understand that most, are either sanding dry, or using water..... Here is a little trick too getting a slightly better finish from 400-1000 grit... Use WD-40 or a similar lubricant instead.... It almost works like a slurry on a water stone it helps get into those little dimples and creates a smoother surface for the same amount of work.... I'm sure other craftsman use the same trick, but I had never seen it on the Forum so I thought I would share with you!!!!!

In these pics the dimpling from the rust is almost completely gone!!!!
Yeah I know the pics are not all that great but I working on them

Thanks Glen... i have always used mineral oil as the sanding lubricant for the same reason slurry! i think Vladsch mentioned this trick long long ago (especially since he has not been around much in the past year) So glad that somebody chose to remark on it again... lots of people have probably never seen any of his work.

here is one to get you searching

The finish is as close to mirror as I am taking this one it will never be perfect but Ya better look real close to find the left over marks....
I'll hone it tonight and try a shave in the morning....
Thank you for yer interest and the nice comments...

*applause*
great job, Glen!

EXCELLENT RESTO!!!!!

Please let us know how it shaves!

Well it was a lot of bevel setting on this one, seemed like maybe 50 laps on the 1k Norton before the initail bevel was a nice sticky sharp down the whole edge....
Once the bevel was set, the honing went as expected very straight forward, maybe 10 more laps on the 4k Norton then normal, but from then on she sharped right up.... The shave this morning is posted in the SOTD forum, very smooth very percise little shaver.... I would call the restore a success!!!!

the proof is in the shaving!!!! Way to go Glen!!!!!

It is a great feeling to take the razor from trash..(ok..ya know what I mean) to a fine shave.
Congrats Glen. I hope to experience the thrill sometime...

Way to drive up the price of rusty old razors! Seriously though, it looks awesome and folks like you willing to rehab a "rode hard and put away wet" razor like that are few and far between.

Glad to hear it gives a good shave!! Makes all that sanding worth it!