1st timer with a few questions.

[Mick]

Due to some health problems I now have a lot of free time on my hands. I have decided to start trying to do some restorations for personal use razors.

Today I found a John Heiffer Sheffield steel wedge with ivory scales (Pics below). My plan is just to clean it up and get it shaving. I'm not interested in "mirror shine" or anything just some light sanding and polishing to get it looking good. As I live in a small travel trailer RV I will be doing most everything by hand. I will be leaving the scales on because 1. I've never unpinned a razor before and don't want to damage the ivory scales learning. I'll save that for something else. 2. The pins don't have washers on this razor so the risk of damage is even greater.

What I would like help with is any tricks to getting at the crud and rust at the pivot point and jimps. I have a Dremel but again I don't want to do any damage. I'm sure there are some very simple solutions and would very much appreciate any ideas.

Thanks Mick.

[baldy]

You can try dental floss with a little metal polish around the pivot pin, or try one of these little plastic flossing things

A tooth brush or small wire brush with metal polish also works well on jimps
Grant

[Mick]

Thanks for the reply. I was thinking about a wire brush but not sure where to get one that small. Guess I'll do some searching online today.

[JackofDiamonds]

As for the pivot, I have used sand paper that I just fold over with the sanding side on the edge. I just do tiny circles then with this folded paper square. Another option with your dremel is a wire brush attachment. If you are not wanting it to look brand new and just clean it, q-tips work wonders, especially with a cream or solution on them.

Just try a few things out, see what works, and what you prefer.

Good luck,
JackofDiamonds

[str8fencer]

First of all, congrats on the score, that's a sweet razor.
It is hard for someone new to restoring to understand how fragile old ivory actually is, and how easy it is to damage.
Usually, ivory scales will already be cracked, yours appear to be whole and sound, so all the more reason to be extra careful.

The best advice I can give will be to go slow, and be careful about them. It takes but a second to break what can't be replaced.
Hand sanding, using floss in the pivot, and taking the time needed will be the safe way to do it - and keep the dremel safely packed away.
Lots of razors out there to experiment with, but so easy to break something in an instant.

Best of luck, let us know how it goes.

[Cove5440]

You can try dental floss with a little metal polish around the pivot pin, or try one of these little plastic flossing things

A tooth brush or small wire brush with metal polish also works well on jimps
Grant

Good suggestions. I've used sandpaper folded over, same as JackofDiamonds.

As for the pivot, I have used sand paper that I just fold over with the sanding side on the edge. I just do tiny circles then with this folded paper square. Another option with your dremel is a wire brush attachment. If you are not wanting it to look brand new and just clean it, q-tips work wonders, especially with a cream or solution on them.

Just try a few things out, see what works, and what you prefer.

Good luck,
JackofDiamonds

[Mick]

Update. After sanding up to 320. I will have to get some finer grades tomorrow to continue. I don't want to go too far with this one but I think I'll go further than I was anticipating at first. The makers mark was barley there to beguine with trying real hard to leave it alone.