First effort fixing up a blade

So, I mentioned in another thread that a got ahold of a couple razors in need of some TLC. I've never really been the fix-er-upper type, and because of that I own very few tools. After a bunch of research, though, I figured I could do what needed to be done with at least a blade. I can buy sandpaper, I have hands, and I have a hone. I love Sheffield blades, so the stage is set.

So here was my first effort. It's not "pretty" since I don't have a Dremel and can't really get the mirror finishes by hand. But I figure, hey, it's a 150-year-old razor (perhaps), maybe it needs to look like it in some regards :D.

Anyway, here's the before, from a couple eBay pictures (if you recognize these images as yours, or you bid on it but laughed at the sucker who paid too much for it...well, keep it to yourself ;)).

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3078/...ae6eed5371.jpg

As you can see, she wasn't a looker, but had potential. Slight pitting, some rust near the pivot. Bleh. The back was a bit worse.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5061/...c87cbc3e34.jpg

Unfortunately, I couldn't get all of the big pit out (nor the little pit above it), but again, it adds some character I guess.

Well, here's what I got to after a ton of sanding.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2636/...6bc9a77a96.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5240/...bd839c5eca.jpg

Still a bunch of microscratches from the sandpaper, but feel free to see above re: polishing. Pretty proud with what I could do just by hand. The frown at the heel still needed to be taken down, though, and despite being a small blade I figured I could get it to hone all right. Turns out basically starting from scratch with a blade on a coti is a bit more difficult than just touching up on water :D. Anyway, I think I've reset the bevel ok. Did a couple tests with mixed results, but the ultimate test will be tomorrow morning after the shower, with a proper lather. I'll go mess with the unicot/dilucot stuff more if I can't get it after that...worst case scenario, hello honemeister!

I just worked on my first blade as well. I was able to pull out almost all of those little micro scratches by using 1500 and 2000 grit sandpaper from walmart for 6 bucks polish for all metals and a polish cloth for cars for another 10 and no dremel required (tho I do own one :) ) anyways man I love the blade wish I had got that one. I found after my first blade I love the hours I put into rest... Seriously the hobby I needed. Hope you scale it well, can't wait to see finished product!

Does anybody see a frown in this blade? I seem not to have developed the eyes for them yet. I'd rather know now than after I get new scales on it!

You just need to hold the edge against a piece of something you know to be flat and not undully bluntening, such as a plastic ruler, to see if light shows in the middle of the blade. If you only think the object is flat, move the blade along by about half its length in both directions, and see if that makes any difference. Close-up photography can hide a smile or frown, or give the appearance of one that isn't really there.

In one way, a deeply hollow ground blade, with a longitudinal reinforce behind the edge, can be easier to restore than one with a simple circular curve from spine to bevel. If you eliminate a frown on a fairly aggressive flat hone or diamond lap, you may find that the bevel is of uneven width, and even enough to add a lot of extra work to periodic honing in use. You can rectify this by lengthwise sanding with abrasive paper glued to some kind of rigid cylindrical drum, or a piece cut from one, of carefully chosen diameter. If there is important etching in the middle of the hollow grind, it needs to be very carefully chosen, so as to abrade only close to the spine and the edge.

This is a lot less likely to look wrong on the longitudinal reinforce, than on what ought to be a single curve.

Welp, after some TLC this blade's looking (and shaving!) better. Now I need to find some scales now to go with her.