Thread: How can I do this.

I bought a cheap antique shop razor today. Its not in bad condition, just needs fixed up and honed. I got almost all the rust from the blade itself but there is alot of ruse on the tang where I can't get to because of the scales. Is there any way I can take the blade off the scales and clean it and put it back on.
Thanks for any information.

Also, on a side note, The scales need cleaned or polished, what can I use with this or would it just be better to paint it?

The only way to get the scales off is to remove the pivot pin...I use wire cutters to cut off one side and then drift out the pin.

If you're not set up to make your own scales, you can get them at Classic Shaving for $10 and they come with new pins for you.

If you want to get rid of the rust, head to your local auto parts shop and get some sandpaper and go to work.

Originally Posted by red96ta

The only way to get the scales off is to remove the pivot pin...I use wire cutters to cut off one side and then drift out the pin.

If you're not set up to make your own scales, you can get them at Classic Shaving for $10 and they come with new pins for you.

If you want to get rid of the rust, head to your local auto parts shop and get some sandpaper and go to work.

I don't want new scales and I have sandpaper, if I do this can I use the pin again?

no your cutting the pin so thats not an option
its a good chance you wont be able to get the scales off in one piece too even if you are careful

Originally Posted by janivar123

no your cutting the pin so thats not an option
its a good chance you wont be able to get the scales off in one piece too even if you are careful

I'm not even going to bother yet, I'll get new scales aroung Christmas time and clean it up before I put the new scales on. How do I put the scales on?

Get some flat dental floss and that might help with a bit of metal polish. Here in the SRP Wiki Gssixgun has a lot about scale repair, removal and other very useful stuff.

Originally Posted by red96ta

The only way to get the scales off is to remove the pivot pin...I use wire cutters to cut off one side and then drift out the pin.

Can you explain this a little better????
What excatly do you mean you're using wire cutters??? are you saving the old scales??? How???

I've had good results using a jeweler's file to file down one side of the pivot pin and then use a 1/16 punch to tap out the pin. Granted there is always risk in removing a pin and you will have to peen a new pin as the old pin will no longer be usable. As for the scales, perhaps some pictures would help the members here guide you in the best method to clean them up for use.

If you are not interested in removing the blade to clean it up I would suggest listening to JimmyHAD and get some dental floss. It may be all you need.

I would add that to remove a pin, a file is the best way. I also add some masking tape over the pin and scales and for the first couple of strokes you will go through the tape and get to the pin. That way when you are filing lightly you will not scratch the scales and at the the same time it will allow you to get the pin pretty close so that you can push it out very easily, sometimes scales are very brittle when they get old.

+1 for dental floss if you are not set up for it and don't want to make a set of scales if you screw up.


Take Care,
Richard

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Can you explain this a little better????
What excatly do you mean you're using wire cutters??? are you saving the old scales??? How???

Sure. Instead of using a file which, if you're not careful, ends up filing bits off the scales, I use wire cutters like these: - Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

I get edges of the cutters between the scales and the head of the pivot pin and simply snip it off...no muss no fuss. I have yet to break scales using this method. Heck, I have yet to even damage a set of scales using this method.