Thread: Potential restoration/modification

Hello all,
I have a Mack razor that when I bought it had the blade shortened, and not very well. Tip is completely 90 degree, so it is very easy to get accidental cuts, and the end looks pretty rough (cut with a hacksaw?)

The other problem is since it was shortened the scales are too long, and it handles a bit odd. However, the edge quality is supurb, and it shaves wonderously other than those issues.

I'd like to "finish" the tip, maybe round off the very tip and smooth down the total edge, and make some scales for it. I think for scales I'm just going to buy some Dovo Ebony (have those on my Case and like them) and cut them down to size. What I'm looking for input on is finishing the edge. How would you recommend I do this without destroying the blade? I will try to post pictures later, but don't have any here at work.

Thanks,

Here's a picture of the blade in question

What do you mean by "finishing" or "Smoothing" the edge?
I get that you want to reshape the tip, this is relatively easy with the right tools and a steady hand.
How do you plan on shortening the dovo ebony scales?

You can't see it in the picture, but the very end of the blade is very rough, as if cut with a hacksaw. I just want to clean it up so it looks like it was made that way not like it was cut with a hacksaw.

As far as shortening the ebony scales, was just planning to cut them to length and then round off the end, at the hinge side (leaving the spacer side in tact.

Originally Posted by bbshriver

You can't see it in the picture, but the very end of the blade is very rough, as if cut with a hacksaw. I just want to clean it up so it looks like it was made that way not like it was cut with a hacksaw.

As far as shortening the ebony scales, was just planning to cut them to length and then round off the end, at the hinge side (leaving the spacer side in tact.

You can smooth the end in a number of ways, but if you have a grinder and sandpaper it goes fast. Just grind to the rough shape you want, making sure not to overheat the blade (cool it in a cup of water frequently). Then use the sandpaper to smooth the result. Depending on the grinder you're using you should start at a low grit and work your way up to 1000 or so, then buff with a polish or rouge.

The challenge you will face with the scales is that of re-drilling the hole properly. If it's not perfectly perpendicular you'll end up with a blade that doesn't center correctly and hits the scales when closing. Unless you disassemble the scales completely and use a drill press I don't suggest doing what you proposed.

I don't have a grinder, just a dremel, which I'm a little shy of with this kind of thing. Plus this razor is "shaving sharp" so gotta be careful with it as well. I suppose I can try to ease it out just on some sandpaper on a bench?

Well I was talking to a guy here at work who does various woodworking as a hobby. I asked him if he could make a set of razor scales, and he gave me a weird look.. then I explained that it was the "handle" for a straight razor, and he seems to be fairly confident that it shouldn't be too much trouble. Think i'm going to give that a try... with the Dovo's at $40 versus $2 for a woodblank at woodcraft sees like I can't go too wrong.

Originally Posted by bbshriver

I don't have a grinder, just a dremel, which I'm a little shy of with this kind of thing. Plus this razor is "shaving sharp" so gotta be careful with it as well. I suppose I can try to ease it out just on some sandpaper on a bench?

You could.

But if you use a dremel, simply use a 1/2" drum wheel and gently sand away the excess metal.
Do it very lightly and always mind the way the drum is rotating. you don't want to make the wheel run into the edge or into the spin because that is when bad things happen.