Thread: Toowoomba Razor #1

Spent Christmas in Toowoomba with the family and browsed the junk shops. Picked up three razors for restoration practice.

First is a Thos Hardy & Sons 5/8.

Scales look like they have been eaten by something. Anyone know what could cause damage like that?

Blade looks ok, with a fair bit of hone wear on the spine.

Thought I would pull this apart, do a bit of sanding, and have a go at making new scales.

Celluloid rot ?

Only thing I can think of

A bandicoot?

Brian

That damage is generally found on horn or pressed horn scales. It is called "bug damage" as it is from bugs that I believe leave their larvae at the source. The larvae grow up eating the horn. Something like that.

If I recall correctly, they are actually Carpet Beetles (larvae). Horn is actually a type of hair. The beetles eat hair, wool is hair, most carpets used to be made of wool, hence the name Carpet Beetles.

You have done very well with all 3 razors! Start your practice with this razor. The other 2 are worth more. All should shave you very well.