Thread: CV Heljestrand with Purpleheart scales.

I finally got this restoration finished. It is about three weeks late but the results are pleasant. This project started out as a Bengall, but after I cracked that blade during restoration I shifted it to the Heljestrand. This blade I thought needed no work, but upon closer inspection saw the tiny pitting. After the usual 8 hours of hand sanding it came out very nice.

The scales are purpleheart finished with CA (cyano-acrylate). They gave me a bit of a hard time as I tried to use a thicker CA hoping to get faster build up of the finish. Instead I was rewarded with air bubble inclusions which I had to sand out all the way to the wood. In the end there was no time saving by going that route.

This wood fluoresces under halogen lights used to take these photos. Their color is more purple and darker when viewed under daylight or fluorescent lights.



If you ever wanted a nice Swedish blade this one could be yours. I listed it on e-bay, the usual 3 day listing and $0.99 start, no reserve. Considering this one is not a W&B or Wonderedge, I am convinced that it won’t go anywhere near the previous auction prices. So this may be your chance to snag it.

If you are interested in this one the e-bay listing is here. The e-bay listing has more pictures and you can supersize them if you want to see more detail.

BTW, the grip on these scales was inspired by Gary's scales. Thanks for the inspiration Gary.

I am going to be doing a bit more experimenting with scale shapes and decor over the next month or so.

Let me know what you think of these scales.

Vlad,

Very nice! Now, would you please stop it! These gorgeous razors are killing me! Well, at least I have my max bid in. I know I won't win, but I have to try!

RT

Cannot get the pictures on e-bay. Razor looks great!

vlad... that is one of the sexiest inanimate objects I've ever seen. That wood is beautiful, and that incredible glossy finish just blows me away. Very slick scale shape too; it just looks like it'd be so comfy in my hands

question though... how on earth do you finish with cyanoacrylate? all my experiences with it end in some part of me being stuck to something.

Beautiful work! I really like the blade and what you're doing with the brasswork. The wood itself is very nice, but I'm still undecided about the shape/contours of the scales.

Absolute junk...

Please cancel your ebay auction and send the razor to me for proper disposal

***Stunning***

Gary

Vlad, you will have to post pics of my Henckels when it's finished. So I can drool whilst it's in the post.

Your work is inspiring to say the least. I'm still not sure how you coat with superglue without everything else sticking to it though

Gary

THAT is a work of art. Can you get one for under $50 bucks?
Beautiful job.
But I agree with Bill it would safer here with me. That one might affect your reputation.

RT, I will probably do a lot less work in the months to come. Not because I don't enjoy the results but because I don't have much time to work on them. So you won't be tempted as much in the future. I promise! Maybe just enough to see if you really meant it.

Bill, I could cancel the auction and kill two birds with one stone. Send the junker to you for safe disposal and save RT the temptation.

Popeye, I don't know what this world is coming to but no one seems to want to spend 20 hours on restoration, scales and box and then let it go for $50 or less. I am still looking and will keep you posted on the progress. BTW, does the $50 include S&H?

CA finish is a bit quirky. I almost glued myself to the scales the first time I used it. Had my fingers coated with CA for a few days. Since then I am more careful and have developed lightning reflexes. As soon as I sense the unmistakable feeling of CA curing on my skin I pull away before the glue sets. So far I had to sand out a very thin layer of skin left in the scales only once. You also have to be careful about splashing it on you. You don't have to glue yourself to something else, you can just as easily glue two parts of your skin together and make life uncomfortable for a few days.

You don't want to feel overconfident when applying this finish. It sticks to skin faster and better than anything else. After all, it was originally forumlated to be used as a stichless method for attaching blood vessels and tissue during surgery.

You could also get some CA solvent and take a bit of the edge out applying it. I will probably pick some up soon.