Thread: Antique Store find: Red Imp and W & B...Need Help

Hey guys, seems like ya'll have rubbed off on me already i've started collecting. today i bought a red imp 133 and a W & B "Celebrated." I've never done any type of restorations, but i want to try. maybe you guys can give me some advice. For starters, the scales on the red imp appear to be warped and the white spacer hits the point. Can the scales be salvaged, or do i have to just get new scales for it. i really want red imp scales on this razor, but as they stand right now, they'll continue to ruin the blade. i'm going to take the scales off anyway to be able to work on the blade.

Now for the W & B, i don't know what the scales are made of, but they have "US Navy" inscribed on one side. They don't seem to be in bad condition, but I guess I don't mind replacing them altogether. Unless, ya'll can tell me if this is some special line or what it is. Anyway, any help would be appreciated. oh yeah, i planned on my first step being on taking the scales off, then polishing the blades with MAAS. Does that sound right to ya'll. thanks.

I generally work around the scales. Personally I am more concerned with the edge then the overall cosmetics. If I were you I would go to the tutorials in the forum index and read all that I could before taking anything apart. Welcome to SRP.

well, can't figure out how to add pics

Originally Posted by encore

well, can't figure out how to add pics

Click on the paper clip icon just to right of the white smiley face icon above the text field when you respond to a thread. This brings up another box. Browse for and indicate the folder path for each pic, upload them. Then, click on the same paper clip icon and choose your photos. There may be other ways to do it, but that's what works for me.

Chris L

Originally Posted by encore

Hey guys, seems like ya'll have rubbed off on me already i've started collecting.

The first step in treatment is to admit the problem is yours, not to blame others.

To add photos you can also click on the icon that looks like a landscape photo and add the URL (be sure to have only one HTTP/.)

In my mind any engraving on a razor/handle adds interest/ antique value. Unless the scales are damaged I'd leave them original and polish them up.

I'm going to try MAAS polish first, but if that doesn't do the complete trick, will hand sanding take off the etching? how do you polish the scales? thanks.

This thread will let you see the light at the end of the tunnel...
http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...e-attempt.html

The plastic and celluloid scales respond well to MAAS and even better to the plastic scratch remover for headlamp covers available at auto parts stores Scratch X is the one I use but be careful using it , take yer time and go slow....

As to taking the warp out I personally use the dip in boiling water method stay away from blow dryers, none of the methods are perfect....Pulling the scales totally apart and baking them on a flat glass baking pan works, but be damn careful, basically expect to wreck the scales

Hand sanding will remove etching but will normally leave engraving

Restores go slow period, if you rush it you wreck it!!!!!

Hope some of this helps, feel free to PM me if ya have more questions and good luck...
BTW we have a restoration chat every Tuesday night at 8:00pm EST in the old Flashchat....

well, i'm typing with some difficulty due to my rather large piece of skin missing from my right index finger. i spent about four hours with the red imp last night, granted some of that time was cleaning up blood. thanks to help from glen, i feel pretty good about the results. the real bummer came when i snapped the scales taking the wedge pin out, i was pretty disappointed. but i kept pushing through. i could only find 320, 400, 600, 1200 3m sandpaper, and MAAS. i spent the majority of the time with the 320, then moved up. its not perfect, but i don't intend on using the dremmel and buffing wheels, so i'm content with the finish i got, especially for my first time. this razor now has a lot of meaning to me since it has my blood on it. if anybody has any red imp scales laying around, please let me know. here are some pics.

Not bad at all Daniel, looks like she cleaned right up, and the spine looks almost new again.....
Sounds like ya learned a few of the problems with doing restores the first time out .... I don't think there is one of us that hasn't cut a finger or snapped a set of stubborn scales, Hope all that is behind ya now and yer ready for the next restore...

Just so you know RRD (razor restoration disorder) is way more addictive than RAD(razor acquisition disorder)