My latest two experiments

[ToxIk]

Well, my latest two projects are done. With each I decided to experiment with something I have done yet.

Both of the actual blades went through a fairly thorough sanding from 400 grit upwards, except the faces. I wanted to preserve some of the etching that were on the faces, so sanding on this started lightly at 800 or so.

Anyway, without further adieu...

Purpleheart Filarmonica
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This one was rather simple. The method I experimented with on this one was some simple wood inlay. The wood inlayed in the purpleheart scales is just a simple slice of yellowheart. Wasn't all that hard, but I don't think I can handle any intricate designs.... yet

All I did for the inlay was trace out the piece and then carve out the wood with an x-acto knife. I only had one type of blade at the time so it was tricky. The inlay goes no more than 1/8" of an inch into the scale; so, I doubt the integrity of the scales are comprimised much at all. Either than that, drilled in some 3/32" bushings for the pins, wood sanded to 2000grit and then 10 or so coats of CA applied, sanded and polished out.

Padauk Wostenholm Conquerer
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This one took quite a while, probably because I did a few steps in the wrong, or at least, inconvenient order.

The wood is padauk and is rather soft. When I was making the scales I had the form/shape pretty much finished and sanded, but, then they felt a little light and weak, so, I figured I'd try and make some brass liners for them. Wewf, I won't go into detail, but seeing as I don't have the most elaborate tools, it was abit of a pain in the ass. Of course once I had the brass cut, they weren't perfect and the scales needed to be slightly reshaped and then completely resanded. Well, I don't know if the resanding was neccessary, but I liked to be thorough. After that, I epoxied on the brass liners and then drilled and fitted 3/32" bushings for all the pins.

I was holding the scales in my hand getting ready to apply the first coat of CA for the finished when I realized the wood was a little plain. The wood has these clearly visible pores in it which I wanted to do something about. I set them aside to see if any good ideas came, and came one did. While I was grinding some brass, little bits of brass dust kept getting everywhere. It looked quite nice so I figured I'd fill the pores with it. I whipped out the dremel and some scrap brass sheet and started grinding off this brass dust. I manually and exhaustively cleared out the pores with my good ole x-acto knife and then used an eraser to pack/brush the dust into the pores. The bushings pic of the razor displays the brass filled grain the best, I took it about half way through polishing, so I had a pic while the razor wasn't it. Now the 10 or so coats of CA for the finish. Of course I managed to get it on the brass liners, so that had to be sanded/scraped off. Then sanding and polishing of the scales and liners, and then on to pinning everything in.

Of course, out of all my hard work, I think I managed to cut the spacer like 1/64" of an inch too short. It doesn't by any means ruin it's action, just it's not at that flawlessness I was hoping for after all the work. That and the razor has the nearest clearence to the wedge, I think it actually brushes up and snuggles against it I don't know if that's a bad thing, but I guess I'll find out in time.

Anyway, let me know what you guys think.
The filly I'm keeping (at least until I find a better one); and, the wostenholm I might put up for sale or auction, if anyones interested.
Next up after this is some simple scales I'm experimenting with tung oil on