Thread: Restoring on the cheap

Hey there,

I've been reading this forum a lot for some time, but have never posted anything. So, I decided this was the time to do so.

I want to start restoring razors but since I live in an apartment I can't have a buffing wheel. Plus, I want to start off by doing it on the cheap so I wanted some advice on what I have planned out.

First, can I remove the rust and some pitting (doesn't have to be all) from a blade purely by hand sanding it with different grits of wet/dry sand paper? Is there an specific direction the sanding has to be done or is only horizontal fine?

Then I thought about buffing them with a thick piece of cloth and a solution such as Maas to create a nice shinny look.

After that, I thought of buying a pack of 200/1000 and 4000/8000 Norton Waterstones to do the honing.
http://www.sharpeningsupplies.com/Wa...it-P94C18.aspx
Would I need any extra stones? Maybe a finer finisher or would just stropping after the Norton 8000K give it a nice sharp edge?

And last but not least...Since I don't have the tools to start making my own scales, has anybody tried having a carpenter do scales for you? Would that be realistic or am I being ridiculous? And can I have them do a wood wedge or does it HAVE to be some material like bone?
After that I would just do the peening the 'traditional' way...rod, washers, and tons of little bangs with a hammer.

Any help on these things would be greatly appreciated...
Thanks!