Wedge for Aluminum Scales

I had originally planned to send out an Antoni Tadross of mine for a restoration however, I decided to do the work myself for some practice and to pass time.

The scales are aluminum, some of you may have seen the razor when I posted it a while back. I had to unpin the razor to sand and polish and I don't like the look or condition of the original wedge. Is it recommended to keep metal on metal or can I do an acrylic wedge or something such as "recon stone?" I want a contrasting color for sure.

If acrylic or recon stone will not work, does anyone know what will?

Thanks!

You could keep it all metal and make a wedge out of brass. Just my 2 cents.

You need to realize that Steel & Aluminum might not react so well together when you add water and soap, let alone other metals..

Here is some reading, Google is your friend, that was just the first one I found, you need to research even farther...

CR4 - Thread: Galvanic Reaction Between Stainless Steel and Aluminum

Yeah, I can tell you from automotive experience that Steel and Aluminum aren't good neighbors. Same with Steel and Fiberglass resin. I think if I were you I'd go for a cherry wedge, or some other hardwood wedge, or an acrylic of just about any color other than white or black. I haven't seen the razor in question, but I think a natural wood would be a great contrast, as would a contrasting acrylic. I like the idea of stone. In this area there's a lot of red granite, but I have no idea how a guy would get a hold of some and shape it into a wedge.

This is the razor. I think red would be nice! I am also considering something a little more bright and "out there" like orange, lime green, etc. I think a colored transparent acrylic would be neat

One more question though, the old wedge, washers, and pins were steel (I'm nearly 100% sure). I wonder why these didn't cause any effects even in the many years since it was manufactured.

Could be "that" Aluminum who knows how that was made...

I'd be surprised to find out that they were steel. How sure are you? Do they cling to a magnet? (Just an indication) Do they rust?

I don't have any knowledge on historic materials for razor construction (besides the very basics), but could it be that they are also aluminum, or possibly nickle? Aluminum against steel turns white and chalky and both will pit over time.

It could be that some older aluminum alloys had high tin or nickel content.

Surprisingly I do not have a magnet in my apartment.. atleast not one that I can find.

Now that I've double checked, the wedge seems very light and probably isn't steel, aluminum may be a good bet. The washers are brass and I must have thrown away the old pins once I cut them.

Maybe I can go with brass pins and washers and get a similar colored wedge? I think that would look nice but not as a pictured it unfortunately. I'll have to do some research

The magnet will attract ferrous metals. Any metal with iron in it will be attracted including steel. Aluminum doesn't have enough in it's alloys to be magnetic.

You could still do a lot of cool things with the wedge even with brass pins/washers. But you could possible use nickle if you can find it. I don't THINK nickle will react...but I'm not really sure.

I have some similar scales on a razor. I also have 3 one piece cast aluminum one piece(no wedge)

The wedge is aluminum, wedge pin is aluminum too on the one like yours. On The pivot side on all four are brass.

One of the cast aluminum looks like never shaved and pinning looks original also on the three. The one like yours, that I have, looks like non original pivot pinning. I suspect they were 'aftermarket' scales. The blank area in the center, on mine, has the initial 'H' etched in.

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edit to add image
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Figured I should add an image of the razors I mentioned. Although I only included one of the three top razors. The top ones are scale heavy, the bottom one is good balance

http://straightrazors.me/str8pics/alum/1.jpg

I have a similar set of scales on a Clauss razor. Definitely aluminum. They shine up like chrome with a little Maas and look great for months.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dirtychrome

I have some similar scales on a razor. I also have 3 one piece cast aluminum one piece(no wedge)

The wedge is aluminum, wedge pin is aluminum too on the one like yours. On The pivot side on all four are brass.

One of the cast aluminum looks like never shaved and pinning looks original also on the three. The one like yours looks like non original pivot pinning. I suspect they were 'aftermarket' scales. The blank area in the center has the initial 'H' etched in.

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I agree the pivot pin may have been replaced but I think the scales are original. The design work in them seems to be very typical of Antoni Tadross; I can never be 100% sure though.

I just did a quick look at when Antoni Tadross was in the razor buisiness, and if those scales are origional to the razor, they are most likely a high tin alloy. During that time period, aluminum was still very expensive to produce, so metal smiths would make alloys of mostly tin to cut down on the cost.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Theseus

I just did a quick look at when Antoni Tadross was in the razor buisiness, and if those scales are origional to the razor, they are most likely a high tin alloy. During that time period, aluminum was still very expensive to produce, so metal smiths would make alloys of mostly tin to cut down on the cost.

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Thanks for the info! Hopefully within a week or so I can figure out all of these questions and get to work.

It would be interesting to see exactly what these scales are made from. If the scales are original, and with worked spine detail, this may have been a premium priced razor from that time period and it may be possible they are aluminum. No disagreement, I'm just super curious now.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Theseus

I just did a quick look at when Antoni Tadross was in the razor buisiness, and if those scales are origional to the razor, they are most likely a high tin alloy. During that time period, aluminum was still very expensive to produce, so metal smiths would make alloys of mostly tin to cut down on the cost.

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I was just about to suggest the same thing while reading through this thread. I think they are neat scales, but would not like scales this heavy. I would send pics of the scales to John (shutterbug) see what he could do with the design and keep the original scales for later. If I were to keep the scales I would use something lighter than brass for the wedge and more importantly I would make it fairly thin like the older wedges are. There is no reason to make those scales any heavier than they already are.

Just opinions take what you want and leave the rest.

Oh, just to point it out there is a magnet on most refrigerator seals.

RE: the galvanic reaction - the potential is there, certainly: it always is present with widely dissimilar metals, but it depends on the presence of an electrolyte to make it flow and take place. The electrolyte would likely be water or high humidity - the absence of either means that the reaction does not take place. Even for the brief period that a razor is used with water on it, the reaction is so weak that it would not be apparent - that is why these razors with metal scales, pins, wedges and washers have lasted.

Auto applications and other outdoor/indoor applications that are subjected to frequent immersion in water for prolonged periods (like winter time) are a completely different kettle of fish and the reaction will take place, leading to the eating away of the less 'noble' metal. Salt water makes an even more efficient electrolyte - salting the roads in winter enhances the reaction, for instance, and boats in water will lose steel parts unless another less noble metal - like aluminium - is present as an anode which gets eaten away instead.

Regards,
Neil

I work in automotive, the next time you see a Land Rover Defender on the road notice how rusty the body capping is, usually not very. This capping is steel and the body is aluminium, however the capping is zinc coated which makes the contact similar metals. Also the capping is electro painted, the company I work for makes this part.
It is plated/painted for a reason, also as stated above an electrolyte would have to be present for the reaction to occurr.
In my experience my razor/scales (unlike cars) don't get that wet during use, so can't see this being a problem, niether do I keep rasors in the bathroom even without this added consideration.

I've checked the workshop wiki for the sources but I can't seem to find a vendor that might sell silver or nickel washers/pins; does anyone happen to know where I can buy them? (most have only brass or stainless)

I'd also be willing to buy from a member if anyone has some spares lying around.

Occasionally you can find sets of the rods and washers on Ebay for not too bad prices.