A couple questions on scale fit & repairs

[novice]

I have a "Top Flight" SR by Burrell Cutlery Co. The scales move with very little effort. If you turn the razor so the blade spine is downward, the blade will flop right out. Should there be a minimum amount of resistance between the blade and the scales? There appears to be a washer on each side of the blade in between the scales if that matters. Can resistance be tweaked by peening the center pin a bit more or should I just leave it be?

Also, there are a couple cuts on the inside of one scale where the razor was improperly closed. The scales are some sort of composition material. When I got this razor, the scales were quite "lumpy" and somewhat waxy feeling. Using some 0000 steel wool and easy pressure cleaned that off leaving clean material underneath. The scales are in good shape so I would like to attempt repairing the cuts if possible. Suggestions are appreciated, what would you do?

Tom









I've not done anything to this razor as far a cleaning or sharpening.

[Str8Raz0r]

Tom, nice looking razor. There should be just enough pressure between the scales and the blade to hold the weight of the blade up. If you LIGHTLY peen the pivot pin with a small ball peen hammer. Alternate sides with the peening until scales can hold the weight of the blade. Make sure you have something solid under the pin when peening, and remember.....light taps.

As to the scale repair, it might be tough to try and fill the cuts. You may be able to lightly sand them to reduce how visible they are but I would be tempted just leave them.

Hope this helps.

Stu

[novice]

Thank Stu, that helps me a lot. I need to dig through my tool pile and see if I have a small enough hammer for that. I may try a drop of acetone applied from the end of a small nail on the smallest nick and see what happens. I don't think there will be enough solvent in play to cause damage I could not hand buff out.

Re: the Top Flight, I am a knife guy not a razor guy but I think I am on the way to that. Over the years I keep getting them in the knife lots I've bought. So, I kept the "best" and ditched the rest. Before anyone cringes, the ones I ditched had badly chipped blades or were deeply rusted, most were without handles. I would think that the same rules that govern what makes a knife a good restoration candidate apply to SRs.

The ones I kept are all in similar shape to the Top Flight but I do have a loose blade, a Crowley. That's what got me here, a desire to put a new handle on it. I've got nearly all the tools I need from other crafts that I apply like flush cutters and a small bench anvil. I will post pics of the other razors in Show and Tell this week. I don't have many but here is what I have -

Wade & Butcher "Silver Steel"

W.H. Morley & Sons "Clover Brand"

Simmons Hardware "Barber's Pet No. 421"

Electric Cutlery Co. "Electric"

Burrell Cutlery "Top Flight" w/ blued shank

.....and one Pakistani to practice honing on eventually if I have the stones, ahem.....

[Str8Raz0r]

Tom, looks like you have a fine collection already. Look forward to seeing some pics.

Btw it might pay to get someone from the classifieds to hone one or two do you have something to gauge your own honing skills.

Stu

[novice]

Tom, looks like you have a fine collection already. Look forward to seeing some pics.

Btw it might pay to get someone from the classifieds to hone one or two do you have something to gauge your own honing skills.

Stu

I think that is a fine idea. I will send you a PM when the pics are up later on tonight.

[Havachat45]

If you haven't got a suitable hammer the back of a spoon is good enough in most cases.
Remember - lots of LIGHT taps