Thread: WWII Henckels - opinions please 4 this newbie

Gents,

I finally got the razors I mentioned previous post. I was suprised at how heavy this Henckels is a very heavy blade, perhaps because of the almost wedge grind? Much heavier than my 6/8 DOVO. There is some shine but it looks more carbon than anything else.

Before I run out and spend $ I am thinking of just following the hand sanding procedure in the Wiki, followed by MASS polishing. I have no dremel or polishing wheel. I am not really looking for mirror finish here, but to bring it back to high quality.


I enclosed some pics to ask:
1) from pics A & B do you think the hand sanding/polishing will work for this blade?

2) from pic "edge" do I need to grind this edge "flat" or level? I have never seen a "cutlass-look" to a straight razor. Can I just keep the shape and bevel progress as it is?



Lastly, the scale is broken at the end (of course). I am a total moron with wood working, nor do I have the tools. I would prefer an acrylic or synthetic due to its already heavy weight.

Not looking for high class refurbish here, I just want to be able to shave with it, so any suggestions would really help.

Many thanks,

Alpsman

To answer.

You could probably remove the rust with 600 and higher Stopping at 2500. Then Turtle Wax Premium Rubbing Compound.

In answer to B. Well it depends on your taste. It looks like a good smile and some people like them and others do not. If you want it gone, use some 100 grit metal sandpaper on a flat surface and breadknife it until you remove it.

Personally its really pretty and I would leave it. See Rolling X stroke in the wiki for honing.

Scales, go to Classicshaving.com they sell ready made scales that you just pin together. Or you could send it to one of the guys here.

Cheers and nice grab.

Handsanding will get rid of the rust/tarnish/patina. Plus, since it is a heavy wedge, you can be a little more aggressive with it than if it was a full hollow. There is a lot of metal here to make up for any mistakes you may make along the way.

I would leave the smile. It will make honing a little more tricky (rolling x vs regular x), but I do prefer a smiling blade myself.

I would invest in a coping saw and a sheet of micarta. Micarta is pretty easy to work with and is pretty much bullet proof. You really only need something to cut the shape (coping saw) and then sandpaper to shape it. Make sure to use a mask, because it is pretty bad for you if inhaled. You don't have to worry too much about finishing the micarta, just sand to a smooth finish then decide if you want to polish.

Originally Posted by dnjrboy

Handsanding will get rid of the rust/tarnish/patina. Plus, since it is a heavy wedge, you can be a little more aggressive with it than if it was a full hollow. There is a lot of metal here to make up for any mistakes you may make along the way.

I would leave the smile. It will make honing a little more tricky (rolling x vs regular x), but I do prefer a smiling blade myself.

I would invest in a coping saw and a sheet of micarta. Micarta is pretty easy to work with and is pretty much bullet proof. You really only need something to cut the shape (coping saw) and then sandpaper to shape it. Make sure to use a mask, because it is pretty bad for you if inhaled. You don't have to worry too much about finishing the micarta, just sand to a smooth finish then decide if you want to polish.

Any links for locating Micarta?

Those heavy ground old Henckels are really nice shavers. That looks like it should clean up nicely. These steel on these blades are relatively softer, and the steel so thick that there is much room for sanding. I'd start with 220 grit and work your way up.

Please do yourself a favor and DO NOT breadknife that edge. That is a nice smiling blade and it will probably not even hone right if you flatten it. Send it out to be honed.

Cool! Thanks all - the smile stays then. Just got my new Coti but I will be practicing on another razor. I will seek out someone to replace the scales.

Thanks!

Man, I'd say that the razor you have there would be absolutely worthy of a restoration. Please don't try to mess with the smile, it looks beautiful! A bit of sanding and some new shoes... going to be a stunner!

If you don't wish to learn on this beauty....send it off to one of the razor gurus
Tom

Awesome shaver. You got a really nice Henckels. Doesn't matter who or how but it'll look killer once restored.

As others have said, that is definitely doable. Should be a straight forward restore. Better than the one I'm doing. I started with this:

And sanded to this after 400 grit:

I've finished with 800 now and I'm getting ready to go start my 1500. I've done all my sanding by hand. Mine is very hollow and had a crack that necessitated removing the heel end. That heavy monster of yours will at least not have that problem! Take your time, be patient, and keep us posted!