Thread: Rust under the scale

Hey guys

Just a noob doing my first restoration. I followed the wiki on sand paper technique however i didn't go below 320 grit paper to save the etching on the blade. However i have run into an issue trying get the rust under the scales. Do I have to remove the pin or is there another way?

Some fine emery cloth should be able to slip in between the scale and the blade, or you can put a drop of oil in the pivot and let it work on its own. In the future be sure to wipe/keep the blade dry.

This isn't a new razor it's a really old one. I brought it at an antique shop for like 10 bucks. It came with rust everywhere, i cleaned up the face and tang but i know there is rust in the handle. I will try the board but I am trying to do this on the cheap (student can't afford much else but this ancient blade). I even found a cheap sharpening set (i know it's my face but the shavette i am using is really cheap and cutting the crap out of me) so I am trying this in an attempt to get a solid blade.

I am not against rescaling if necessary but i worry about finding pins. Any other ideas?

You haven't mentioned to us what the scales are made off. Celluloid? Horn? Plastic? Can you post any pics of the damage.
Rust will not hurt plastic or horn that I know off.
Q-Tips can do wonders for working between scales. Vinegar and salt come to mind to clean rust and even machine oil. Or use Extra fine steel wool to rub between the scales.

Originally Posted by Maximilian

You haven't mentioned to us what the scales are made off. Celluloid? Horn? Plastic? Can you post any pics of the damage.
Rust will not hurt plastic or horn that I know off.
Q-Tips can do wonders for working between scales. Vinegar and salt come to mind to clean rust and even machine oil. Or use Extra fine steel wool to rub between the scales.

You may also try using an old tshirt or thin rag with MAAS, Flitz, Rolite etc. Use a popcicle stick inside the folded rag to make a skinny polishing finger or sorts.

Near the pivot you could try using the same rag, in a single layer, flossing with it as close to the scales as possible.

As I was reading this thread an idea popped into my head. Would using some very thin shim stock, say 0.002 or 0.003 work? How about roughing up the surface of the shim stock with sandpaper? I have some shim stock out in the garage, maybe I will try it tomorrow.

How about using a feeler gauge, the kind used to set the spark plug gap?

Just an idea,

They are synthetic for sure but I have no clue what type they are. I tried the vinegar solution and it lifted a bit. I tried some super thin 2000 grit and it pulled out a huge amount.

Then the strangest thing I have ever seen happened the scale buckled into the void where the blade rests. I will post pics tomorrow.

It wasn't the vinegar that part didn't come close the solution. No clue.