Thread: How would you restore this one???

I just scored this 8/8 W&B Celebrated off ebay for $80. I probably paid too much, but oh well.... Supposedly it has a clean blade with no nicks and original box and scales. I want to have it restored....but I need some ideas! Pictures would be helpful!

I'd take a paper towel and some metal polish, such as semichrome or flitz and give the blade a going over. Then I would hone it and strop and shave. The more original the better IMHO.

Its hard to see, but I believe there might be some rust on the spine towards the toe and around the pin. There also seems to be some chips out of the belly of the blade. It is hard to analyze considering the picture.
It might need quite a bit, but it looks like you could do it without losing the etching. I wouldn't say that you spent too much, but that is subjective and depends on how it looks in person. The scales could also be bad, hard to tell.
If I had that blade I would start by unpinning it and seeing if I could remove the tarnish around the toe and pin with my buffers. If it needed more than I am thinking I would use a tumbler to save the etching. Then repin or scale if the scales are no good. I would then go to reforming the edge from what looks like a chip and finally hone her up.
Everybody is different and prefer different levels. of course it also depends on what tools you have at your disposal.

The belly "chip" is apparently just some fabric from the blanket it is sitting on. I haven't seen it in person yet, but apparently no chips, cracks, etc.

I would give the horn scales a very light sanding with very fine wet n dry paper and then let them soak in mineral oil overnight. I love the old horn scales.

I agree with Jimmy. And I don't think you overpaid at all.

I would recommend posting it in the Workshop with more detailed pics! After you get it, of course! You would get more opinions and ideas. Looks Nice!

Nice razor. My favorite razor is a Wade & Butcher VR that I just love. Shaves great and looks pretty nice to be 110 years old at the youngest and over 170 at its oldest.

That is a good price for that razor in that condition. You have to be very careful if you decide to do any sanding or you will sand off the blade etch. Use a utility knife and scrape the rust scale off. I would simply buff it with a few compounds to clean it up and put a bit of a shine on the blade then finish it with MAAS. The scales, use some 1500 and 2000 grit wet paper to resurface them. Then give it a light buff with some white compound, then some chrome ox to polish them. I would also soak them in Neatsfoot oil after the wet sanding for about 2 hours to recondition them. Horn will dry and get brittle over time then start to de laminate. The oil will soak in and help keep them from cracking.

Nice find. Looks like a slight smile on that one, might pay to have a look at Glen's (gssixgun) honing videos on youtube. He has a good vid showing how to hone a smiling blade (Roling X-stroke IIRC).