Thread: Restoring: not for me anymore!

Thanks for your input, guys, but i really can't take out any sort of pitting with handsanding. It just sits and STAYS there. How much sanding do you need? Is this minutes or hours? (The pitting wasn't deep).

Hand sanding will generally take anywhere from 2h (at the very minimum) onward, depending on how severe the pitting is, and how high the progression you go - each grit progression takes a bit less time to get the scratches out from the previous grit, but basically, do this while watching television, because you're in for the long haul. This is how you get the mirror finish - it is way too easy to over heat the blade and ruin the temper (as you found out) or to crack the blade sanding with a dremel. I only use the dremel for the final polish with Mass or Flitz and a felt wheel at fairly low rpm.

Best of luck,

Mark

I only hand sand. I tried the flat wheels, but too many wavy lines for me. I also tried the rogues with a dremel, but I couldn't keep from burning the razor. I may try a final polish using Maas, but I'm scared of burning another blade.

I'm currently working on a Geneva blade that is taking me forever. Each grit has taken way more hours than another blade I was working on. Maybe it's harder steel than the German blade, but man I've been working on it for like a month now usually a few hours at a time or about 15 hours a week. Sorry, too winded on this one.

Anyway, I hope you keep with it. It is rewarding to bring back something that most people would dispose of.

Originally Posted by gentleman

Thanks for your input, guys, but i really can't take out any sort of pitting with handsanding. It just sits and STAYS there. How much sanding do you need? Is this minutes or hours? (The pitting wasn't deep).

Hours. Lots.
I recently finished a really bad hollow ground with lots of rust and pitting.
Removing the pitting alone took over 6 hours of handsanding.

If you cannot see yourself working on a blade for several hours, then perhaps restoration is not for you.
I don't mean to be a mr knowitall, but taking a damaged razor and restoring it to a near mint finish takes a lot of time, even if you use power tools.

It is not something that you can do in 15 minutes by using a dremel.

+1 on these:

Originally Posted by Bruno

Hours. Lots.
...
It is not something that you can do in 15 minutes by using a dremel.

I use a dremel and hand sanding combo. Patience, a light touch, and low rpms (I think I am in the 7-8k range) are all required. That being said, it would be a shame to have learned such valuable lessons and not be able to use them in future restorations The satisfaction of seeing a blade resurrected from a past century is immense.

My advice: Get back out there! Good luck no matter what path you take to BBS.