Thread: First restore in progress--Dubl Duck Perlduck

Please be gentle as this is my first restore, my first post on SRP, and once I get this razor finished and honed, my first straight shave.

I've been shaving with a SE for quite sometime now, but really thought it would be fun to try a straight. I love making old things look new again, so why not try to restore a razor? Here's what I have so far.......

Bought this razor in a group with a Shumate Barber and a Gem OCMM SE for $25. The scales were completely busted up (falling apart in my hands), so it became my first victim, er restore, I mean.

The picture shows the blade as I purchased it. The baggie is what's left of the scales.

This is after 400 grit w/d. I am only hand sanding. I have a dremel, but really I enjoy hand sanding. No, honest. I really do. It's very peaceful.

I love the satin look, and thought about keeping it here, but decide to go all out with my first restore.

After 800 grit. Getting closer...

All I had access to is 400, 800, & 1000. I would have liked more options, but ya uses what ya hases.

Ouch, crap. That hurt. Even not shave sharp, it's still sharp enough. I later got a cut on my thumb that was deep and hurt like heck. It bled seemingly forever.

Final, after 1000 grit wet sand and Mother's brand mag and wheel polish buffed with a cloth diaper. In the first picture, my daughter was about four feet from the razor. The last one shows the ability to read newsprint in the reflection. If I had 1500 or 2000 grit, I could have done even better, but I can't find it around here, even at auto shops.

Nice...
Very nice....

Congrats! Sounds like you got bit by the restore bug, and haven't even had the joy of the straight shave yet.

You have a fine little razor there.

Since we all have opinions, I'll share mine about the scales. I would recommend if wood scales/wood wedge desired, not to use metal liners. Will be difficult to final finish due to differing hardness. As sanding, too easy to sand away more wood than metal.

If want wood, I would do a contrasting color wood instead, without the liners.

Lastly, although attractive, the scales may be a little awkward when stropping as a new user. I would consider taking away the notch. Think when holding fully open, dragging down the strop, and then flip it, the scales will be moving to hold firm. If they were straighter where you grasp when open, it will be easier when you flip it. Easier means you wont be prone to nick your strop due to the razor geometry. You'll just have your learning skills to blame. Everyone is slightly clumsy at the start, no reason to add a disadvantage.

Stropping is a lifetime habit, so best to learn 'Plain Jane" from the beginning I feel.

Originally Posted by medicevans

Final, after 1000 grit wet sand and Mother's brand mag and wheel polish buffed with a cloth diaper. In the first picture, my daughter was about four feet from the razor. The last one shows the ability to read newsprint in the reflection. If I had 1500 or 2000 grit, I could have done even better, but I can't find it around here, even at auto shops.

Nice job. try the local body shop supply place. The one by me has w/d through 3K. If you cannot find it, I'd be happy to puck up some for you and mail it.

The Hobby Lobby where I live carries high grit sandpaper. They come in packs that include a sheet of all the grits, from 320 to 12000. They are located(at least here) near the air brush supplies.

I'm going to use red oak for the scale material. I love working in oak, and it should be fun for this project. I'm a little worried about using such an open grained wood though. Maybe I should order a piece of leopard wood or something different instead. Hm.....

I also will mix the color a little darker. I'm pinning with a single wedge pin and both the pivot and wedge pins will be nickel. Dark wood against nickel pins will look nice.

Also, playing around with scale shapes. I thought I had it almost figured out. I was going to go with a traditional pattern, but then I saw some custom scales cut from Sintra over at Whipped Dog. A little different look, but very cool.