Thread: John Barber Comeback!

I didn't feel the need to document the whole damn build this time, but look at what a couple of hours and $8 worth of wet dry sandpaper can do to a 175 year old blade.

Before



After





You can see that I left a little bit of pitting on the tang around the makers mark. The j and the o were starting to disappear and I wasn't going to take any chances. It's old enough, I don't want it to look like a new blade anyway. Had someone not tried to [poorly] clean the blade up before I got to it, I'd have just left it alone.

I'm telling you guys, it's a high to get a blade this old back in beautiful shape again. I'm ready to get it honed and shave with this piece of history! It was made around the time when Andrew Jackson was president! Think about that! Sorry I'm a little bit excited. Now, to find a true stubtail.......

John Barber is looking proud!

Looking sharp!

I would like to rescale it in period correct materials, something that would have been seen on a higher end razor of the time period. Ideas? Also, would a higher end piece have had a mid-scale pin?

Ivory would be the classic high end material, but horn is always good considering the availabilty and cost of legal ivory. The 3rd pin is I believe a later invention.

Originally Posted by medicevans

I would like to rescale it in period correct materials, something that would have been seen on a higher end razor of the time period. Ideas? Also, would a higher end piece have had a mid-scale pin?

I would expect to see fancy turtleshell, studded & engraved ivory, or worked bone scales on a higher end razor of the time period. It seems like horn scales and homemade jobs are most commonly seen today on the other vintage razors from that period

impressive display of elbow grease and tenacity.... that is going to be a beautiful work of art when you complete it!!

**double post removed**

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

I would expect to see fancy turtleshell, studded & engraved ivory, or worked bone scales on a higher end razor of the time period. It seems like horn scales and homemade jobs are most commonly seen today on the other vintage razors from that period

What is studded ivory?


Thanks paco. It's not perfect by any means. Certainly not up to par where I'd like to be, but I guess it isn't bad for hand sanding. If I had buffers I think I could get the rest of the black off the blade. I think I'm going to go back with 800 grit and try to get the rest of the pitting around the tang. Maybe, I don't know yet. I am loathe to ruin a good thing by trying to get a great thing.

Originally Posted by medicevans

What is studded ivory?


Thanks paco. It's not perfect by any means. Certainly not up to par where I'd like to be, but I guess it isn't bad for hand sanding. If I had buffers I think I could get the rest of the black off the blade. I think I'm going to go back with 800 grit and try to get the rest of the pitting around the tang. Maybe, I don't know yet. I am loathe to ruin a good thing by trying to get a great thing.

i totally agree.... you IMHO have brought out the best in that without the risk of ruining it....


do no harm... .... keep up the great work... if you need razors to practice on i have a whole box full.... lol....