Wade & Butcher "The Celebrated" Restore question for the experts

[hgrail]

Hi folks,
I've really enjoyed following the conversations in this forum and everyone it seems is very helpful. I thought I would ask for your feedback on this project.

I'm a hands on sort of guy anyhow so I can't wait to start working on this naturally. This is my first restoration project (that involves more than just polishing and honing) and my first Sheffield blade as well - so this is all still fairly new to me.

found this great Sheffield 7/8 blade - and it has some minor pitting that seemingly was cleaned up in the past - but overall no chips, blade even has a decent edge. Originally, was going to mirror polish this - but I find since this razor has such great lines - I am really enjoying the look of the patina on the metal. Will oil (Hoppes no 9 or CLP Breakfree) or another oil keep the metal from rusting if I leave it as it is? Is there any way to darken the script without stripping the patina and starting over?



I know for wooden musical instruments I have used a gold crayon to fill in etching that had been worn out of the wood. Anything similar that can be done here? Shoe polish or something else?

Also - I have no idea how old this razor is - but all the Wade & Butchers I have seen look to have black horn scales. Also the rivet on this razor looks sloppy and the scales seem to be celluloid - which I'm guessing is too late for this razor - right (celluloid is 1920's I'm guessing)? Would black horn scales be the historically accurate thing for this razor?




The razor also seems to have quite a bit of play front to back - as though the pin is too small for the razor. The razor can actually extend beyond the scales and cut them if it isn't pushed backward while closing it. Are there different size pins out there - could this one be too small - or am I opening a can of worms by removing these scales? I'm guessing the scales may be too short - but the fit to the pin does concern me a bit.

What do you think?

Thanks all
John