First effort fixing up a blade

[MrImperial]

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 .

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 ).



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.



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.




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 . 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!