Thread: Lazy Man's Restoration

I found an old Taylor Eyewitness "The 1000" razor yesterday in an antiques shop. It was in pretty bad shape - rust everywhere - but it seemed like it could be brought back to life, so I bought it. One nifty thing about it was that it had its original tin. Rusted too, of course.

Anyway, I intended to do a full restoration on it - get it back to its former glory and all that. About 2 hours in to the hand-sanding I thought bugger this. So I got rid of the major rustal problems and took it to 600 grit. That was about another 1/2 hour's work.

Then I just blued the whole blade (chemically). It came up really very nicely. Very nicely indeed actually. Surprisingly nicely in fact. If you like that sort of thing, which I do. I guess it is not to everyone's taste (else there would be a lot more blued blade pictures on the forums), but I really like this one. It is a nice shaver too.

Anyway, i lacked the foresight to take before or during pictures unfortunately. And I lack the skill and patience to take very good photos. But here is a rough photographic representation of what it looks like. It actually looks better in the flesh.




James.

Anyway, i lacked the foresight to take before or during pictures unfortunately. And I lack the skill and patience to take very good photos. But here is a rough photographic representation of what it looks like. It actually looks better in the flesh.



Hmmmmm Did ya copy and paste that part from one of my threads


I actually like the blued steel look there Jimbo !!!!!

I like it!!

Thanks lads! I particularly like it because it is an easy way to cover up any bits you cannot be bothered making absolutely shiny. Plus it does look good, the old Razor Noir.

James.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who has tried that. I had a Bengall that was pretty rough (looks like they took it a 100 grit belt sander) and used some cold blue stuff. The chemicals takes a thin layer of steel away everytime you use it. After I was done I was like "wow!".
I left it the way it was (blued), but I bet I could have taken it to the buffer and polished the bluing away and made it shiny again. I kind of liked the gun metal look though.

That is a very good looking razor. Less work great results.

You have been my role model ever since I saw your custom wapi.

Charlie

Originally Posted by spazola

...

You have been my role model ever since I saw your custom wapi.

Charlie

It is gratifying to know that my work has its admirers. Particularly that wapi: blood, sweat and tears, man. Blood, sweat, and tears...

James.

James, very nice work indeed! I really like the look of blued steel - I have a Genco that has the shank blued, and love the cold steel look of it.

Quick question - is the chemical blue different than the blueing kit you get at gun shops?

Mark

I like the smooth look, whether it be from the coarser grit finish or from the photo itself, I like it.

Originally Posted by spazola

That is a very good looking razor. Less work great results.

You have been my role model ever since I saw your custom wapi.

Charlie

Wow, when I heard Jimbo was your role model I correctly surmised that was the very reason!

Originally Posted by Jimbo

Anyway, I intended to do a full restoration on it - get it back to its former glory and all that. About 2 hours in to the hand-sanding I thought bugger this.James.

Ah yes. At that point, reality hits you like a half brick in the face

Originally Posted by gssixgun

It actually looks better in the flesh. !

I guess it depends on whose flesh we are talking about.