Thread: warped scales

What are some good ways too straighten out scales? The ones I want too fix are Celluloid and bowed out length wise.

Thanks,
Glen

The best way I've found (and this might not work, so don't hold it against me...althought it's worked for me on about 4 razors), is to get a deep pot of water boiling. Dip the scales in the boiling water for about 10 seconds, then mold them where you want them to be. When you get them where you want, blow on them, or cool them however you can, really fast (it just prevents you from messing up your molding job). Need more molding? Keep dipping them in the water, but never for more than 10 seconds at a time.

Celluloid is a mighty finicky material I've heard tell that steam will straighten them out or at least soften them so you can mold them but I don't know about the hot water thing. It might straighten them out but the finish might really be compromised. The steam is a little less drastic. Personally unless it really bothers you that much I wouldn't mess with it.

You're probably right about the celluloid...I didn't think of that. The ones I've straightened out have been bakelite(?) or plastic.

After looking at these scales they may be Bakelite.

6602003778 - this is the ebay item number. The cancer near the edge was deeper than I had hoped, but still should be a great shaver once restored. The spine has no sign of ever being honed. Some of the paint came off during cleaning. Any suggestions on how too restore the paint would be helpfull as well.

Thanks for your comments.
Glen

Looking at the razor that rust at the edge is a bad sign. Usually when its that close to the edge it means your going to have to do some major work, probably redo the edge including bevel and all especially if its deep like you say. You'll probably need a 1000 grit hone to do the initial work.

I don't think there is any way to replace the color applied to the blade whether its gold leaf or enamel, well... let me say if you have a really small brush and a really steady hand and some good magnification and can get some jewelers enamel it can be done but I don't know of anyone who has ever done that type of restoration. You might ask Bill Ellis about that one.

I wouldn't assume the scales are plastic. I would assume they are celluloid. You can usually tell if you start to rub hard on them with a cloth celluloid will emit a very characteristic smell. Any heat will do that stuff in. I would try polishing the scales up with something like cape cod polishing cloths or you could use a dremmel but you have to be VERY careful (use a very light touch and move very fast over the surface with a muslin polisher) and you need rouge made for plastic or very tender metals.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out. We expect a razor looking like it was made by the Maestro when you finish. LOL

I started with 320 grit paper then 600. Worked for a few minutes with some 2000 grit but need to backpedal a bit and find some 1200. It getting there and when it is completely finished I will post a picture. That RS microscope will come in handy when rebuilding the bevel.

Thanks Glen

Well the scales haven't been a real bother, but the paint was. After hours of sanding and more paint loss I tried my shaky hand at painting. Doesn't look very professional up close, but the futher away it gets the better it looks. Now time too hone and see how she shaves.

Glen

Ok so the paint job sucked....

Not a problem, the paint came off faster than it went on!

Glen

Actually the paint job looks pretty good in the photos. As a matter of fact the entire razor looks pretty darn good. So how does it shave? You keep this up and you'll put Bill Ellis out of business.