Thread: Really Getting Into Restoring....Have Questions

Hi Everyone!

Over the past couple of months I have gotten REALLY into (my wife says "obsessed") restoring straight razors. To date, I have "rescued" almost 100 razors from ebay. My philisophy is different than the typical collector, in that I look at the straight razor as functional art. An old rusty Wade and Butcher, unless George Washington killed a redcoat with it, should be restored to use. I am looking to learn everything, including how to rescale those whose scales are too far gone or could be made more beautiful by the extra work. I've already made more than my share of mistakes (like being too aggressive in removing pitting) and I have a bunch of questions that I hope you experts out there can answer for me. Here goes:

I am finding that the "polishing" wheels and compounds on my buffer actually cloud the finish more than polish it. What is strange is that my rough sisal wheel with emery paste on it seems to leave a better mirror than anything else I have tried. Am I crazy or doing something wrong?

I have been finding that light "water spots" or corrosion spots often may an otherwise nice finish. Does anyone have ideas about how to remove or reduce them without ruining the razor around it?

How do you go about keeping the razor cool when buffing. DO you dip it in water? Just let it sit?

What is the consensus on dealing with a razor with a MAJOR chip in the blade at the end of the razor; one that can in no way be honed out or made shave ready in any way other than modifying the razor? In the cases I have had, I have chosen to modify the razor. I turned one spike point with a huge "bite" taken out of the spike into a round edge. I took a square point with a similar chip and turned it into a 1/4" smaller spike point. Did I do right or wrong?

What is the best thing to do with one of those black corrosion lines that marrs the center of a blade?

What is the general consensus on scales? Is the original scale always "sacred" or is the blade the thing and the scale something to be improved if the blade justifies it?

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for your responses!

Originally Posted by jtischler

What is the general consensus on scales? Is the original scale always "sacred" or is the blade the thing and the scale something to be improved if the blade justifies it?

I don't have enough experience to answer any questions beyond the subjective one...

I personally prefer to restore the scales if possible. There are plenty of blades out there without scales that need your creativity. Yet the ones that can be restored in original scales not only preserves the work of the artists that originally created the blade, but also have the potential to make the SRP Straight Razor Data Base grow.

granted there are exceptions to every rule.

That is a really good point and something I struggle with. Sadly, in most cases the razor was seen as a purely utilitarian object and not something that should possess lasting beauty. As such, the scales on most of them were not really made to last. Sometimes I go to extraordinary lenths to restore the original scales - especially if there is something interesting about them or if they are a natural material like bone or horn. But I have a very hard time with these if they are splintered or chipped or broken. I would welcome anyone out there who could give me greater insight as to how I might restore the scales of these things that I now consider to be "lost causes." Thanks again for your input!.

Everything in two places so start there


First the part of the Forum you posted in the Workshop at the top in red is this thread..

http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...wers-here.html

Second the Wiki in the restore section has many of these articles condensed down...

As to scales, my personal feeling is that if they are functional and still can look good try and keep the razor as original as possible, otherwise rip those puppy's off and have fun..

I agree with Glen on the scales, but boy can they be delicate due to their age. I've cleaned them up and started to repin them only to crack one. Once that happens, have some fun with your favorite scale material (mine is the exotic woods) & different designs you come up with.