Thread: Joseph Rodgers Restore

This is work in progress and came to me from my grandfathers cigar box that has seen some rust, but not to bad really. He passed away 30 years ago and I will hold this dear to me when finished. I have taken off the scales and started with 150 grit to get a good baseline down. After an hour I wish I had some 120 grit, but I'm enjoying the calm it brings me. The bevel is wider towards the center of the smile, and I am not sure if that is a problem or not. Before the sanding it measured 13/16" and I hope I wont lose a lot once it is sent to be honed. Any info would be appreciated about the restoration of this razors history.

The fourth picture is after maas and before sanding.


Dave

Sancho, I can tell this is dear to you. Why did you start with Maas and then go to handsand?
I'm new to this so I have only enthusiasm to give to you.
I admire crisp tang stampings and that has a lovely stamping.
A fine size too

I just wanted to see what a maas touch up would look like, I know it its out of sequence and I was not even planning on sanding, but I want her looking good as new. I learned about mineral oil and sand paper in restoration chat and she's looking great so far.

The bevel is not a problem. As long as it comes to an edge, it could be different sizes all across and still shave well. It may mean difficulty in honing it though. Doesn't sound like you'll be attempting this yourself though to begin with, so I think you're good.

Dave,
I have one almost exactly like that and it is tied with one other razor as my top shavers - you're going to love this one (even more since it was your grand-dad's!)!
Congrats!

I got one just like that in today in mintish condition. They're supposed to be good lil' shavers - so good luck with your restoration! I wish I had a straight handed down to me as an heirloom...

I've gone as high as 1000 grit and there are still lines from a lower grit and I've spent countless hours sanding. After a break I'll go down and work my way back up again to remove the lines. It's a good learning experience and it makes me want another old wedge to restore after this...and after the finger heals

Sorry to say this- and it is by no means a dig at this restore, but are the sanding lines going parallel to the edge? If so, that is fine, but usually we sand from edge to spine along the length of the blade. THis recreates grind marks from the factory. Sanding lines parallel to the blade are just kind of "obvious" I guess (for lack of a better word) that it has been sanded. That is a great shine though! Very nicely done.

Tip:
use alternate sanding directions when going from one grit to the next:
for example:
heel to toe with 240 grit
edge to spine with 320
heel to toe with 400

Don't go up in grit until the sanding lines from the previous grit are gone.
This is easy enough to see, since they will run a different direction from the grit you're at.

Go all the way up to 2000 grit. If that should be heel to toe, do a second time with that grit from edge to spine.
That should give you a terrific satin finish that you can bring to shine with a dremel and some polishing compound.

EDIT: But excellent work so far.

Thanks for the tip Bruno. I will use the alternating sanding directions when I try my first resto.

Blade looks v good btw.