Thread: Restored: "Joseph Allen" - a lot of FIRSTs for me!

Hey all! Thought I would share my first fully restored blade with everyone.

This was my first time doing all the following:

- mirror polish
- scales (stained red oak)
- pinning


The story: I bought this guy for $9.00 at an antique shop. the scales were cracked but the blade was OK (although, heavily rusted and pitted). I decided to try making a set of scales. I don't have any woodworking shops around me to buy interesting types of wood, so, I just used some red oak. This is my FIRST TIME doing just about everything in the restoration process.

I have no power tools. No dremels, belt sanders or drill presses. I roughed out the blanks with a coping saw, and used a large pocket knife to widdle it down to reasonable dimensions.. then I hand sanded the scales, I hand sanded the razor and used a rag and metal polish to get as close to a mirror polish as I can. Now, I won't say these are perfect, but, for my first attempt, and for a razor I intend on keeping to shave with, I am very happy with the results. The razor is centered in the scales, is very tight, and feels solid in the hands.

I just want to say thank you to all the SRP members and their incredible videos, guides, and responses to questinos --- I only laid my hands on a straight razor for the first time about 5 weeks ago and here I am restoring one.


On to the pictures!