Thread: Repair references

Yes, I bought Bill's CD before he became famous a year or two ago. I did learn a couple of new things, but I don't remember which they were right off. But The CD is well worth the price and if it saves one catastrophe that ruins a decent razor, it's paid for itself already. The CD is NOT a video, but a hyperlinked series of illustrated HTML Web pages, just like a repair site online, only offline.

Another related repair book is The Complete Book of Pocketknife Repair by Ben Kelly, Jr. (ISBN 0-87341-387-3) Many of the techniques are applicable to razors, but many are to do with the various parts that make up the knife handle system, and operating mechanism. Still, I found the parts that address scales could also be applied to making new razor scales using various materials. The parts that deal with steel cleanup are directly applicable to razors. Although power grinders and polishers are shown, the principles can be accomplished with hand tools also.

My interest in restoring razors grew out of a longer-term interest in cleaning up knives. Bill is an accomplished knife-maker, also. What is a razor but a very simple knife .... sort of?

A DVD that has application to celluloid razors scale repairs is available in Vintage Fountian Pen Repair, Vol. II by Dennis Lively. In the DVD, Dennis repairs a fountain pen whose body is made of celluloid. The repairs are really kewl and a plane above Crazy-Glue, approaching remanufacture.

The tools required are minimal and the savings over the price of a new replacement handle great. The most important tool is, in fact, FREE -- patience. About 18 minutes of video is devoted to celluloid repair and remanufacture.

Celluloid will eventually self-destruct, break-down chemically. But sometimes its a mishap or repair gone awry that damages an otherwise good handle. These and such commonplace conditions as pin cracks become easy repairs if you know how. Even missing chunks of scale can be replaced, sometimes invisibly.

Fix a couple of handles, the DVD is paid for ....

Bill's CD is highly recommended. Thought he had a second one out.....hmmmm or was that the tool kit? Lynn

Bill is now offering an updated *2004*version. It's available at Ray's on-line shop: http://tinyurl.com/42ygw

hal

Ray has some of my newest CD's. He is the only one, other than myself that will carry them. It, however, does not have new information on more processes. The updates are some hyperlinks and an Order page to get the dandy little tools to do the work. I put a new "theme" on it and made it look a little more presentable. But no new information on how to do the work has been added.

That will come later this year... the new information. A bit of it has been born out of requests on how to do this or that from people who already have my cd. Some of the requests came from you guys.

If there is a subject you would like to be covered, email me. So far, I will go more into pinning and safety issues while working on exposed blades. Jigs using magnets and such. Gotta finish my book on the jail first.

Also, don't know if I should get it published in book form so you could take it to the garage with you. Depends on if I think there is a demand.

You can order the CD from me at:

http://www.billysblades.com/Straight%20Razor%20Book.htm

If you want the tools, the site is:

http://www.billysblades.com/Restoration%20Tools.htm

I quit making the kits. Not enough interest. I only have one of those left. It is described on this past auction of mine:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?http://ViewItem&item=6533637526&rd=1...%3AIT&rd=1
If anyone wants it, email me at urleebird@comcast.net. $20 to your door.