Thread: first restoration help

Okay so i am new to straight shaving and have never restored one before, but I think I will give it a shot. My dad gave me his old razor that he has had for thirty years or so. He has no idea where he got it so I don't know how old it is. I'll post a pic when I get home. It is made in Solingen though, so it ought to be a good blade. The scales are warped, so they are toast. He is a big hunter so I'm gonna fashion some new scales from deer antlers and then give him the razor back fully restored as a birthday present. Anywho, back to the point. It has a little rust on the tang and the spine, but not bad really. I am wanting to remove this rust as well as shine up the whole blade. My question is how to do this without removing the markings on the blade? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Ty

Hey Ty-
I have some ideas, but I'm no pro... and one way or another some pictures will help a lot in assessing the condition and prescription for the blade. And I'm sure Glen and Max, et al, will have some grand advice for you.

Okay, so my dang girlfriend ran off with my camera again. These pics were taken with my iphone. I know they aren't that great, but hopefully they will be enough.

those scales are great, you should try to save them!

Originally Posted by Undream

those scales are great, you should try to save them!

+1. Save those babies if possible cos they are sooo purty There are a few threads around concerning fixing warped scales. The steel itself also looks easily taken care of from the pics. Have fun.

If I was restoring it for myself I probably would try to keep them. They are warped badly enough that the blade has gouged them out at the tip. But the thing is I am giving it to my dad. And although he has kind of expressed a little interest in straight shaving since I got into it, I don't think he would appreciate those scales reconditioned as much as he would antler scales. He is just one of those guys. You know, if it's camo then it's cool. But I will definitely try to save them. Oh and by the way the scales are plastic.

Yep, unpin those carefully and you can put them on a nice blade for yourself.

That steel looks like it is in great shape; if that is an etching rather than gold wash, you could use a little Flitz or Maas and 0000 steel wool to gently clean the blade area, and could be a little rougher with the tang, etc. Just be careful not to put pressure against the blade, as it is very easy to break steel that thin with just a bit of torsion.

Mother of....!!!
Why does every other person think, if the scales are the least bit warped they are no good, and must be replaced with new ones????
Those scales are probably worth more than any new scales you could put on the razor.
Sir, if those beautiful scales are warped they can be easily straightened.

Also the blade can be cleaned almost spotless without destroying the lovely etching on the blade face... but that is a job for a professional.

This is a blade from your father… could be a family heirloom… if I were you I wouldn’t try to restore it myself.