Thread: Ever just have one of those days......

Today we got rained out at work so I was looking forward to spending the day in my little garage shop and hope fully get a few razors put together. I already had 2 blades cleaned up and polished and needed to cut and shape some horn scales. Nothing too fancey just regular old standard shaped scales. I have made at least 25 sets of. Which I have gotten pretty comfortable making.
I get the first set shaped & wet sanded, make the wedge dry fit every thing to gether using micro fastener, everythings fine. So I cut my 1/16 brass rod and dome my washers, buff the scales again and peen it all together. I wet sand the wedge for a nice fit and go to close the razor and the blade is swinging way over to the right (thats if the tail is to you when closing) and its hitting the scale before closing. Im like what the #@&! Im looking and looking the scales warped. The wedge end is noticably warped. I take it apart double check again place the sides on glass one side was still straight and the other warped bad. Ok calk it up to the tiols of working with horn.
Now I determined to get atleast one done today. I should of just went to bed. Grabbed a nice set of flat horn blanks to cut and shape the scales and I triple checked everything, the thickness of each scale, made sure they were nice and flat checked them on glass, I wet sanded using mineral oil this time, made sure wedge was flat and even, fit everything first with brand new micro fasteners it was all was good, counted how many taps for peaning each side. And the same dam thing happened again it was like a sucker punch that put me on my @ss. Time for some home brew about a gallon. Still Have no idea why or what happened maybe the rainy day humid/ dampness warped the horn? But what I do know is I believe I may be done working with horn for while.

Did you ever think that maybe it's not totally the scales fault but you're also dealing with a bend, crooked or skewed tang? Most vintage razors are not always 100% straight. If that's the case you might have to take a look at blade centering

Originally Posted by Maximilian

Did you ever think that maybe it's not totally the scales fault but you're also dealing with a bend, crooked or skewed tang? Most vintage razors are not always 100% straight. If that's the case you might have to take a look at blade centering

Im new to this whole razor restoring thing. I do it for a creative outlet. And I must say, I really enjoy it. It still amazes me how many aspects there are to str8 razors for such a simple looking object
I did consider the razor may be tweaked, I guess during the point of frustration I didnt look into that further. I had herd you guys talk about Friodur twisted tangs and was curious how you remedied them.
Every time I get a little lost working on srt8's the ansewers are right in the Wiki. I should know better by now.
This morning I check the blade after I read your post and there it was plain as day. I cant thank you enough for pointing me in the right direction. With proper adjustments the 2 sets of scales are saved!!!! What a relief. I owe you one.
Thanks a Million
Tony