Thread: Yellowheart engels

I just finished up my latest restoration: an F.W. Engels fitted with yellowheart scales and a cyanoacrylate finish.

Here are some pics.
Before: front back top
After: side vert bolster
and a video.

This is my second restoration with wood scales. Learned a few lessons from my first that certainly helped; but, it's still not at that level of perfection that I really want.

The blade underwent a good sanding. From 220 grit all the way up to 2000 and then polish. Sanding was done with the previous grits striations though, none across, which is why some are still visible. There was a tad of deep pitting near the toe of the razor, and I didn't want to sand too deep, so some of it still remains.

The scales started from 1/8" project sheet I got from Lee Valley. The first time I went I passed over the yellowheart as it looks rather plain at first sight. Then I saw vlads video with the yellow heart box near finish and the grain just looked incredible so I had to get some. I wanted to use the bolsters from the old scales on the new ones, so I cloned the shape of the original celluloid scales so they would fit. The metal was uncomfortably thick, so I actually carved out the ends of the scales so they'd sit nice and flush with the rest of the surface.

I have brass washers, but I figured I'd instead try some nylon ones between the blade and the scales. All my folding pocket knives use nylon, so I figured I'd go for it on this razor too. That and nylon doesn't corrode or tarnish like brass.

The one thing I still haven't got quite right is the way the blade sits closed in hardwood scales. But I think I learned enough to make it better next time.

Anyway, all that's left it to hone 'er up and get shavin'. I'm always interested to know what you guys think, so lets have it

very impressed ,I had to scroll up and check the name ,I thought it was Vlad for a moment
Exellent work
Kind regards Peter

Very well done!

It's now a razor that anyone would be proud to own!

Keep going Jason and I may have to commission some scaling work from you

I am indeed impressed. Very nice. For just starting out, you are way way (that's 2 ways) ahead of the game. If more of you guys start doing this kind of work, it may also help my CD sales for those too afraid to try it...

Excellent job!

Tip of the hat for this beautiful work!

But wag of the finger for showing it off like that, with a video on top of everything... way to go busting my confidence...

Redwoood

whats wrong with how the blade sits? i dont see the problem....

-micah

It still looks old. I like that.

Like in the Conan movie where he goes into the ancient cave, with all the old rotted skeletons, but the sword he finds is still sharp as the day it was made, just a bit dusty. I bet this razor was right beside the sword.

Thanks for the compliments guys! I like to restore razors, but knowing that others can apriciate them is what keeps me going and, damn! two "ways" and an animated gif from bill... my life is complete

The problem with how the blade sits is that when fully closed, the blade was under a bit of compression between the scales and would occasionaly pop out a bit. Though the problem has seemed to alleviate itself after a bit of breaking-in, so to speak. The slight tension is still there, but it doesn't popup at all, it just is nice and snug when closed

Nice, nice nice!