Thread: 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

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

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