Thread: Send Me in the Right Direction

So I finally picked up 2 straights this weekend. Both are in pretty rough shape, but I'm ok with that. I want to EARN my first straight shave. I apologize for the low picture quality here, but it's all I have atm.

1. the 7/8s blade is supposedly from 1850 era. Anyway to verify this claim?

2. The "monkeytail" where can I get info on it. THis has a lot of blackness on it and a fine engraving reading "Butler's - Woodpecker" How can I clean the blade and not lose the engraving.

3. The larger blade looks to have a lot of red on it in the pictures. It doesn't to the naked eye. What grit of sandpaper would you suggest I start using to clean up that blade? Again, my goal is to save as much of the engraving as possible.

4. Where can I get scale pins/instructions for making scales/be told how to remove scales?