Thread: 2 new razors

That spacer is probably pewter, a mixture of 90% tin, and the rest copper and lead. The lead content is very small and may or may not be harmful, however to be on the safe side you may want to coat the pewter around the exposed edges with transparent nail polish. I believe the scales are Bakelite or Horn so the acetone in the polish won’t harm the scales but will make a water/air tight seal (don't do this with Celluloid scales or the acetone in the polish will ruin it... and if it is not ruined, will be almost impossible to remove).

I suspect the scales on the Genco is Bakelite, you can tell when you rub with the polish and see brown stain on the polishing cloth (it also has a strange smell). If on the other hand the scales are celluloid, then you will smell Camphor (like moth balls) when rubbed with a cloth without polish. Bakelite is very brittle and will brake easily, celluloid, (uncommon in black) when old is also very brittle, so it is not surprising that the scales fracture while cleaning. It is common for those pins to be bent, unfortunately there is no way to straighten without removing…. not to worry scales are easily made and in the process new pins installed.

As a matter of fact, when I buffed the scales they had the same odd smell. It smelt like a mix of burnt rubber and something else... I guess this means they could be baketite (sp?). I will give the clear nail polish a try to be on the safe side.

I am thinking of getting 2 sets of scales for two WB blades I have, and another set for the genco. Only problem is I don't have any power tools. I want the scales on both WB blades to be horn since I think that was the original material. I saved a scale from each blade so I could re-fabricate the same shape and dimensions. Since I don't have power tools would it be easier to send the blades to some one here and have them duplicate the scales by tracing the old ones? Or can I do this my self and make a rough cut with a hand saw and then sand by hand?

It is quite possible to mane your own horn scales, that's exactly how most do it with wood or plastic, the only issue with horn when worked, it smells like burnt hair… check this link http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...rn-scales.html

There is a link posted by Buddel where you may buy horn scales long enough to make razor scales. Also check out the gallery you will see professionally finished scales in horn. If you commission one of those guys to make your scales you won’t be disappointed.

I just refurbished this Genco Model B5. Check out the before and after pictures! the threads to this post were very helpful. Thank you all.