Thread: Etching an old razor.

I have been restoring a couple of razors and I just hate the fact that you cant clean of a etched blade because if you do you fade the etch. So I started collecting copies of etches, I really want to work on a way to redo the etch on any razor that has lost it. Has anyone tried this before? has anyone came up with a good way to clear of an old etch. And last has anyone thought of placing personal etching on the other side of the razor?

I may be wrong, but I thought gssixgun's method of using a vibratory tumbler worked. That is, it cleaned the blade without doing any more damage to the etching. At least I think that is what I remember.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...mentation.html

TTfireman, the tumbler-razor pictures I've seen and the blades I've seen tumbled show etchings that stand out better because the blade has been cleaned and polished. But deep scratches and pitting remain. It would be neat to be able to sand or grind those pits out as one normally would otherwise and then replace the etching on a newly smoothed and clean blade face

Also many call anything they see on a blade an etching. There's actually the Gold wash or any kind of wash done with the use of industrial acids. Then we also have the engraving or stamping. The engraving is the one that will last the longest and as long as you don't start grinding down the engraving you're fine.

All the gold wash stuff unfortunately is very fragile It will already slightly start to fade each and every time you wipe your blade clean.

They do sell some DIY kits of electro-chemical marking like the etch-o-matic or DIY plating kits like the Plug N' Plate.

Anything coming from or made in the factory in general will always be of a much better and longer lasting quality compared to the DIY home kits one can buy.

Originally Posted by deusseteh

I have been restoring a couple of razors and I just hate the fact that you cant clean of a etched blade because if you do you fade the etch. So I started collecting copies of etches, I really want to work on a way to redo the etch on any razor that has lost it. Has anyone tried this before? has anyone came up with a good way to clear of an old etch. And last has anyone thought of placing personal etching on the other side of the razor?

How are you collecting copies of etches? Are you just laying the blade on a flatbed scanner?

Thanks.

Chris L

I'd be interested in learning how others do this as well.