First complete resto (with pic attempt)! Thank you SRP!

First, thank you SRP! I found all information needed for this first attempt here.

Second, this is my second attempt at posting pics. First failed. Sorry if I mess it up again! Our camera also sucks for close-ups.

I scored a Red Injun 102 a couple weeks ago. Blade showed moderate discoloration, significant pitting, with rust build up in spots. I tried to capture most severe rust spots. They were actually raised up off surface about 1.0mm. Scales were dirty, but otherwise in very good condition.



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Using a dremel for the first time, I removed the pins. I underestimated how fast heat would build on the pin, and began to smell melting plastic at a couple points. Pins were so bent, though, that I think my removal, as the plastic was still hot, saved the scales from cracking. I nicked the scales a couple of minor times filing off the washers. Any advanced advice on this? Pins were so old, that I really had to file down into them to get the pop. I don't own a drill press, and will be moving overseas shortly, so don't want to buy one. After breaking everything down, I gave the scales a once over with a wet cloth and they look great.

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Handsanding, I started to try and go after pits in the blade. Fearing that I would damage the metal, I didn't want to go below 320 grit. After about 8 total hours of sanding, and still having pits, I will definetely go lower next time! I removed nearly all pits. There are about 8-10, the size of a pin tip, that I can still see. Striving for that perfect resto, they are driving me nuts. But, I am done sanding for now.

I had to shop a couple stores to find 1/16 brass rods and #0 stainless washers. But, Waldo Hardware, here in KC, had it covered. I learned, when working on motorcycles, that that store has all the odd sizes and unique items. Stuff the bigger stores would never carry. When the clerk asked what I was up to, and I told him, "restoring a straight razor," I saw him visually inspect my face for divots! Great guys over there!

After progressing up to 1500 sandpaper, I repinned. After using wire cutters (as seen in wiki) to clip rod, I found that getting the length right and cutting with the dremel to be easier. It produced a clean cut, that really kept the length tight. I've always enjoyed the two-tone look, so I went with stainless washers and brass rod.

Using the norton 4k/8k combo stone I picked up a few weeks ago, I watched/listened to Game of Thrones, had a margarita, and got the edge to HHT. There were no initial chips or frowning, so it was a good place to start.

Nothing too fancy! A good first project (in my opinion)! I know there are those here that are real masters. I just try and read your posts and copy what you do. Thanks, again, SRP for all your advice!

Ah! One unique moment... The blade sat a little askew in the scales. After, reading up about it in the wiki, I heated the plastic around the pivot point up with near-boiling water for a few minutes, pulled it out, GENTLY twisted the blade (about 1.0mm) in the direction I wanted, and blew on the plastic to cool it. Worked like a charm!

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In the last pic I tried to capture the three pits near the tip of the spine that particularly drove me nuts! I don't think the camera is good enough to get them though.

I think my next adventure might be shaping my own bone scales!

awesome job for a first restore. i'm working on my first one too right now. hand sanding is tough work. and i lost most of the engravings in my project razor, but it guess its all part of the fun. good luck with the razor!

Really nice job, regardless of the fact it was your first. You should be proud.

Shaving will be that much better now, since you've rebuilt your equipment with your own hands.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Peasel

After about 8 total hours of sanding, and still having pits, I will definetely go lower next time! I removed nearly all pits. There are about 8-10, the size of a pin tip, that I can still see. Striving for that perfect resto, they are driving me nuts.

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Ha!
Welcome to the special circle of hell that is restoration regret!

Great job you did there, grats on bringing it back! Looks great, especially for a first resto.
So, how does it shave?

Thank you, for the positive feedback!

A wonderful shaver!... I like the Red Injun 102 better than the 101 I had previously! The larger blade keeps it even smoother!

Congrats on a nice job. You now have a tool that will give you well earned pride using it. Time well spent.

I see you are bit by the restore bug, already thinking about the next one, lol

Some of the popular vendors we commonly use don't list the 6" long 1/8" thick bone slabs on their sites, but often you can email them a request for what you are looking for and they will set you up.-when youre ready for that next project.

Thanks, dirtychrome! I was actually looking at an old post of Charlie's (I believe) where he fashioned some out of a shin-bone dog treat from the pet store. I figure if I mess it up, it doesn't have to be with some fancy bone material. I might get real uppity and give it some amber coloring, though. Bleach white bone just doesn't do it for me.

What are some of the more popular bone suppliers? I've heard people mention masecraft several times. Went to their website, but not too much to really look at. Looked like great stuff, though.

Peasel;

Very nice job for first time through. (thumbs up!)

Two suggestions to help with those annoying pins.

The first suggestion is to use a very thin piece of brass sheet as a filing mask when removing pins. This is nothing more than a thin sheet of brass with a hole drilled through it. That hole should be only large enough to fit around the pin and washer combination. This will protect the scales if the file should happen to slip during the filing process.

Of course, filing down a pin may still leave you with a stubborn pin end. If you do not have a drill press, then I would suggest a very, very fine round-end grinding point in your rotary tool. Simply touch the grinding point to the end of the pin to very gradually hollow it out. Do this only little by little since this operation can build up heat very quickly (bad for those scales). Again, I would advise the use of that filing mask just in case the grinding point wanders. ;)

- Ignatz

Nice job i'd be chuffed if i'd done it :)

Ianp, thank you for the feedback! As, I wil be moving to the UK in a few months, I must ask: Chuffed means stoked or excited?

Yep you got it :)

Ohhh the pain of handsanding!

My fingers, wrists & arms ached for days after my first handsanding session. But it's all worth it in the end:)

Congratulations, that a fine looking razor!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Peasel

Thanks, dirtychrome! I was actually looking at an old post of Charlie's (I believe) where he fashioned some out of a shin-bone dog treat from the pet store. ...
What are some of the more popular bone suppliers? I've heard people mention masecraft several times...

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Masecraft is a good example. Not listed on the site, but send them an email. Confident they can set you up. It is bleached white. That does make a good base if you want to try staining. If so, cut the scaled so you have scrape, stain the scrap first.

As far as processing your own bone, a few months back,seem to remember Glen posted some custom scales from bone he acquired. I'd research, but typing on the phone right now.

Nice work! Looks really good. You should be proud of the way that turned out.

Excellent Job!!! What a great start!!