No one tell Adam/alb1981.....

[medicevans]

....but I finally his razor done! Let's see some before pics!




Kind of beat up, uninspiring, generic middle aged W&B in generic horn scales.

Adam posted on another restore thread of mine how he wished he had the money for a resto. I pm'ed him and offered to do it for the cost of the scale material. Well of course he accepted. I warned him it would be 6-8 weeks, because my schedule was really busy. That Was September. I got a new job and worked 48 hrs on 24 hrs off for a month, my wife had mega complications during pregnancy, we just had our daughter, etc, etc. Adam's understanding and generosity were being stretched dangerously thin. Then, three or four days ago, he emails asking for a status update. I'm thinking, this guy needs his razor back. Sooo......almost 16 weeks later......taaa-daaa!







Scales are bone from Phil at Masecraft, wedge is stabilized oak burl. Brass pins with hand domed/peaked washers. There are little washers underneath the big peaked ones holding them from collapsing. I had originally planned to use a double pin wedge, but it just didn't look right, so at the last minute changed it to a single pin. I'm really glad I did. Closes centered and will hold any open position. Brass thrust washers.

The razor itself was slowly reshaped, NOT with a dremel, then was blackened with a H2O2/salt/vinegar mix. It was supposed to come out black (I've done it before and it worked perfectly). However, the steel or my ratios must have been different, because you can't see it here, but it actually turned more of a rainbow brown. Really a neat looking patina. The steel looked perfect before, no bluing or anything, so I'm assuming it was my ratios.

I still need to polish the pins and make sure the scales are perfectly clean, but other than the littlest touches, it's ready to go. Now, where'd I stick that Revisor he sent me........

So, like I said, don't tell Adam, this will be out little secret.

P.s. In case Adam should happen to wander by, say, if a little birdie told him the thread was here:


Adam, I appreciate your faith and understanding. It was a lot fun and a little nervewracking being given carte blanc on a restore. I hope you like it. Thanks again.

[Ducksfan]

Nice work! I'm sure he'll be happy with the outcome.
Do you have a link to can you post the ratios you used? I like your blackened/blueing/ranbowing effect. More black/blue than rainbow, but hey, sometimes you have to settle for what you can get.
Thanks for sharing!

[medicevans]

Here you go:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...g-recipie.html

I think I used more of equal recipes than the uneven ratios shown in the thread. Just look up blueing steel, or rust blue or similar. There are several threads. I'll take a better picture of just the blade today. It is neat.

[alb1981]

honestly man I can not thank you enough! I knew you had it in you to pull out one bad ass lil W&B. I am glad I let you do all the decision making. Beyond my expectations! now about that Revisor.... lol

[medicevans]

I'm glad you like it. Hopefully you will like it when it's in hand. It was fun working with bone. I may use it for my John Barber. It really does look nice. That stabilized oak should hold up well as the wedge too.

I suppose I should also note that Adam never said anything that made it seem his patience was wearing thin. I just figured he might be getting the littlest bit exasperated at how long it was taking me to complete this project.

Now about that Revisior? Good luck seeing it before Christmas.......2013. Lol. Nah, I have some ideas, but I need to get a little bit closer to a final design before I get with you.

[alb1981]

Lol no rush bro! I have plenty of other sharp objects to hold my attention until shes ready