Thread: What grit to start at?

I've been cleaning up some old razors I've accumulated, and while some are really nasty, with lots of rust, some are just dirty, with only patina. In this case, what I want to do is polish up the blade (get rid of the patina) while keeping any (shallow) pits. I know, this sounds nuts, but I kinda like the look of pitting sometimes - keeps the razor "vintage" looking.

So I'm wondering what grit I should start sanding at for this? Or should I skip the sandpaper all together and just use some polishing compound? Of course I could just try it out, working my way backwards until I figure out what works, but I thought I'd maybe save myself some time and ask around first.

I've got these grits of wet/dry sandpaper available to me: 220 400 800 1000 1500 2000, plus 3 different "grades" of polishing compound. My goal would be to get the blade pretty darn shiny, while still keeping the shallow pitting.

OK.. going to do it again...

Linkage!

http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...up-myself.html

You guys just tell me when you get sick of me doing this..

I read through the majority of that post, but maybe I missed where it discussed sanding/polishing without eliminating pitting?

Sorry, should have clarified, there's still pitting on the blade, it's just shiney now. its was more to do with grit progression etc by the way the wiki article on it is excellent, however the grits listed on there miss out a few mentioned later in the article. you can start at 50 depending on the level of pitting

I'll try to find it, but someone here had the most awesome pitted razor i've ever seen, the cleaned it off but deliberately didn't eliminate the pitting because of the pattern

I f i was going to reccommend a grade to start at for non elimination of pitting, then around 400 to 600, the real de pitting work is done around 50 - 220 IMO, just found that from doing it

Try the polishing compound first. If that doesn't leave the desired results, I'd say start with the 800 and work your way up.

Originally Posted by tekbow

there's still pitting on the blade, it's just shiney now

I dunno man, your razor looks pretty smooth to me

Originally Posted by Theseus

Try the polishing compound first. If that doesn't leave the desired results, I'd say start with the 800 and work your way up.

That's what I was thinking of doing too, thanks for the feedback!

Originally Posted by zappbrannigan

I dunno man, your razor looks pretty smooth to me

There's a little dimple, it's just hard to see with the sun rays bleaching out the camera lens

and +1 on polishing compund. it's what i started with before buying the wet dry, but it wasn't doing what i needed.

Use the tumbler method, then the old scars will just be shiny scars...

My 6 or 7 thift shop finds have been pretty nasty and cleaned up great with Mothers Polishing compund and a Dremel with the skinny wire brush attachment.