Thread: I need to shave these letters,

in a recent post of today i wrote that i was restoring my grandpa's razor, i am doing great, i removed the red rust i still have to remove the scales but i don't know how to. ONe big problem is that it says the classic "Solingen" and "importe D'allemgne"(imported from germany) and i don't want to sand off the lettering, and also there is rust in the lettering impression, is there a tool that i can take out the rust and save the lettering.

I sometimes use a dental pick to scratch rust out of a stamped impression.

I've had success using a toothbrush (try one with stiff bristles) and some mild-abrasive dish-washing detergent. A toothpick is also a good idea.

If you have a dremel, try using the carbon steel wire brush, it works well and it doesn't seem to remove metal. Don't use the brass wire brush, it may stain the steel, brass being softer. Be patient and use a light touch, you'll do great.

Regards,
Adrian

+1 on the dremel and steel wire brush. Just know that while it will remove very little metal, it will scratch the heck of it, so you'll still be forced to do some serious sanding.

There's another dremel attachment that is one of my favorites for this kind of work. It's like a little puff-ball of stiff abrasive wool. They come in several grits, and get softer as you use them. Here's links to two versions, although there are a number of variants.

Widget Supply 1/2 x 1/2 inch RE Cylinder AO Abrasive Polisher - Compare to Dremel 517 - Bulk

Widget Supply 1/2 x 1/2 inch Cylinder AO Abrasive Polisher - Compare to Dremel 518 - Bulk

I'd recommend getting a good supply of them, and for that, I'd start with the finest one you can get, and wear it down a bit on some scrap metal first to soften it up. It will get right in there.

I use a Dremel with the wire steel attachment however I use Autosol or MASS as a polish come lubricant for the wire steel attachment and have had good results. Go very lightly and when the polish has gone stop or apply more. If you keep on going in one spot it will burn the metal and then it goes a black colour and that has to be sanded out. The key to using the Dremel is very light pressure and don’t hold the razor in the air because if it catches, it will come out of your hand at a very high speed!

Good luck with the restoration and post some pictures when you are finished.

Originally Posted by Exile

I use a Dremel with the wire steel attachment however I use Autosol or MASS as a polish come lubricant for the wire steel attachment and have had good results. Go very lightly and when the polish has gone stop or apply more. If you keep on going in one spot it will burn the metal and then it goes a black colour and that has to be sanded out. The key to using the Dremel is very light pressure and don’t hold the razor in the air because if it catches, it will come out of your hand at a very high speed!

Good luck with the restoration and post some pictures when you are finished.

Excellent advice, along with the wire brush, Dremel also has a very stiff bristle brush that works well for this app and less abrasive.

Once you get it out of the scales it sounds like a good candidate for a vibratory tumbler. That can replace the finer sandings (I think most folks sand to 400 or 600 grit then put the blade in the tumbler), does a very nice polish job, and is very very easy on any etchings or other blade markings.