Obie's Crown Razor

Since he politely asked me to create a post with the finished product on what is my first official restore (my first home made scales went with a Heljestrand blade purchased from Bassguy), I decided to instead create a post of the process.

Anyway, I started by roughly cutting out two curved rectangles, rubber cementing them together, and sanding them down to the curved ovals pictured. They still need a good bit of work before I move down to a lower grit, but I figured I was at a good stopping point for the time being.

I am keeping the original lead spacer, and will be cleaning up the blade a little more too, but it is already looking much nicer. I conveniently forgot to take any before pictures.

The scales will be in the traditional curved oval shape that comes on pretty much any vintage blade, and I am finding just how difficult it is to sand a nice smooth curve without any power tools.

The tools in my arsenal:
Sandpaper ranging from 220-1500 grit
Metal Polish
Beeswax with Orange Oil
Hobby Saw
4oz Ballpeen Hammer
Pocket Knife
1/16" drill bit (in a pin vise)

and of course 1/8" Walnut, 1/16" Brass Rod, and Wide Brass Washers from microfasteners

http://www.theshaveden.com/forum/pic...&pictureid=522

I think you will get a nice and good looking razor of this.
Making scales with hand tools only takes patience and time. Also gives them much more value. You will spent your valuable time, eyes, brain and hands to make something that is your own. Something to be proud of.
Good work this far.

Thanks! When I get my first set of scales back from the razors honing, I will try to put up some decent pictures of that too. I'm particularly proud of the wedge I made on that one.

My dear Drew,

Ah, but you are a master already. That razor will be a masterpiece of restoration. I can't wait to see it.

Many thanks for taking on the restoration project. You're just the man for it.

Regards,

Obie

Looking forward to seeing the progression. Nice start. :)

Looking good so far, keep us posted with pics and updates! Its always interesting to watch a craftsman do his thing..!

I'm looking forward to seeing the finished item!

Obie, you'll have to let us know how she shaves..!

Good work so far. I would add one or two small files to your tools. Files make the shaping go faster without taking away too much material. While filing I usually hold the scales together with a couple of small pieces of double sided tape to insure I remove the same amount of material from both sides.

I actually read somewhere (here maybe?) that rubber cement works well, and it has really done the trick for me. I actually have 2 rather large files in my apartment that are leftover from one of my roommates making his own bow, so they have been used in part to remove wood, but mostly because they are hardened steel and the handle makes an excellent base for hammering pins in :D

Solid looking work there, can't wait to see the finished product!

I like what you have done so far. Just remember that from the way the pic is, you need to turn the blade around. It looks like the shape is such that the tang side of the scales is on the left. Also if your doing scales in the traditional way, the wood on the tang side should be sanded down to the height of the razor tang. If your going for a different look then please disregard. Looking goo so far.
Bill

Yeah, I noticed that after taking the picture and was too lazy to turn it around. Go me.

Nice work so far. I may have to send you one of mine...

Obie, I have a Crown with the same etching. It's a wonderful shaver that holds an edge like no other.

So, they have now been sanded to have the shape refined, the sharp edges rounded, both sides of both scales are sanded up to 1500, the lead spacer has been cleaned, and a single coat of beeswax and orange oil has been applied.

I think it will all be going together tomorrow night.

How well does the beeswax and orange oil seal the wood? How exactly do you go about doing it, and where did ya find the supplies?

And yes, nice work :D

The beeswax seems to work pretty well, but I haven't tested it on a razor I have shaved with yet, just held it under running water for a while. I plan on trying out the super glue (CA) sealing method I keep hearing about tonight, but on some scrap wood I waxed, not Obie's lovely scales (unless it works of course)

I picked up the wax at Ace Hardware, it is $8 for a big plastic bottle and it looks about like a yellow/orange slushy, you know, kind of chunky but still a liquid.

I just love the way it colors the walnut, gives it a nice deep glow.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by avatar1999

How well does the beeswax and orange oil seal the wood? How exactly do you go about doing it, and where did ya find the supplies?

And yes, nice work :D

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I use a homemade mix of walnut oil and beeswax. I had issues with it losing its efficacy when it came into contact with soap, hot water and prolonged handling. I mitigated this by heating the oil/wax mix and letting the pieces cure in it for a few hours to a full day, depending on the wood. Since scales are not meant to be soaked, it works well. Some woods don't need much protection as they will not soak up enough moisture to cause ill effects.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Carbonsteel928

I use a homemade mix of walnut oil and beeswax. I had issues with it losing its efficacy when it came into contact with soap, hot water and prolonged handling. I mitigated this by heating the oil/wax mix and letting the pieces cure in it for a few hours to a full day, depending on the wood. Since scales are not meant to be soaked, it works well. Some woods don't need much protection as they will not soak up enough moisture to cause ill effects.

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I hadn't thought of that! Do you leave it heated while soaking, or just heat it, drop the scales in, turn the heat off, and let it sit?

I monitor the heat with a candy thermometer and leave the heat source on. You have to be very careful as oil/wax makes a wonderful excelerant. I keep a fire extinguisher handy just in case. (never even come close to a fire but its better to be safe than sorry)


I highly suggest that you use a cheap double boiler to decrease the risk of a fire.

I might have to give that a try this weekend.

My dear Drew,

I can't get over what a great job you have done so far on the razor. Is this the same razor that must have come out of the Battle of the Bulge?

I feel a masterpiece in the making. I can't wait to see it, Drew. A world of thanks.

Regards,
Obie

I've a great deal of experience wood working from building longrifles. The beeswax finish you're using is similar to an old colonial period finish using beeswax and turpentine. It was applied to heated wood and was applied until the wood would absorb no more then buffed to a dull sheen. It's pretty weather resistant as well.

If you want a weather proof finish, or as close as can be attained, oil (linseed) based marine spar varnish is the way to go. However, thanks to the EPA, it's the devil to get and very expensive. Urethane finishes are trash as micro cracks will spread over the surface and let moisture in. It happens as soon as the wood expands and contracts.

The closest thing to oil based varnish that can be reasonably had at a good price is Birchwood Casey's Tru-Oil. It's a cooked linseed oil finish with driers added, much like the colonial gunsmiths used, minus the lead drier used 250 years ago. Get two bottles and cut one 50% with turpentine (the real stuff). This acts as a penetrating primer to fill the grain. Apply it lightly and smooth with 0000 steel wool after it's dry. When it looks like the grain is getting pretty well filled, switch to the full strength stuff and apply light coats with your fingers and allow to dry over night. Invert the capped bottle to avoid sludge forming in the top. Steel wool between coats and wipe off the dust and steel particles. The finish will be like glass.

That is an incredibly helpful post! As soon as I have a few more dollars in the wallet for some quality woods, I will be sure to give it a try. In the meantime...

The Razor Is DONE!

I'm not sure when I will get it back to Obie, but a good guess would be early next week. I hope he enjoys it :D

My dear Drew,

I sent you a beat up razor that reminded me of a toothless, one-eyed pirate with a wooden leg.

You have created a genuine buccaneer. Oh, my!

This is fabulous work. I am astonished at the extent of your talent, especially when you just started rescaling.

Congratulations on such a fine work. Imagine, I am the proud owner of that razor. I cannot thank you enough.

Proud, indeed.

Regards,

Obie

Obie,

I will have your razor in the mail tomorrow. I have to say that it was an absolute joy working on. I am just one of those people who clings tenaciously to any task before me, and I don't believe in doing things half-heartedly. I hope this beauty gives you many fine shaves.

Drew

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DPflaumer

Anyway, I started by roughly cutting out two curved rectangles, rubber cementing them together, and sanding them down to the curved ovals pictured.

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WHy do you glue them together? I'm looking into doing this myself, but why stick them together? How do you take the scales off again? I know I'm missing something here, please tell me :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jantjeuh

WHy do you glue them together? I'm looking into doing this myself, but why stick them together? How do you take the scales off again? I know I'm missing something here, please tell me :)

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The gluing is a temporary process so that when you shape them, both pieces are identical. I may be worth your while to look in the Wiki and see how scales are made. The gluing also helps in the process of drilling the holes for pinning. Once the shaping and drilling process is finished the scales are then taken apart.

DP, very nice work on the scales. Given the small amount of tools you worked with the end result is very good. I hope Obie likes what you have done. Now, the next set will be even easier. I think it is real nice that the age of digital photography is here to post pictures without having to take your film in and getting it processed.

Nice work Drew, looks like you are off to a good start... congrats

The razor is in the mail and on it's way to it's (hopefully) happy owner :D

Gentlemen,

My Crown razor arrived today. I am proud of it. I can't get over Drew Pflaumer's impeccable workmanship in rescaling this razor.

My dear Drew, Thank you. Great work. Did you say you're just starting out?

Rather than screw up the razor, I plan to send it to Lynn to hone professionally.

Oh, this is a good day.

Regards,

Obie