Restoration Ideas Needed

[JSmith1983]

I got a W&B awhile ago and have been trying to figure out what I want to do with it. I don't own a buffer, but with this razor I didn't really want to make it shine to much anyway. The original scales are waiting to be put on, but the blade has me stumped. There are some little scratches on the lower half of the blade and they go in all different directions. Not sure what would cause this cause it doesn't look like sandpaper. Was thinking maybe slurry would cause it. Either way I don't know. Anyway I was looking for some suggestions on how to take on this one. Was thinking I might have to buy a buffer or maybe just leave it the way it is. I like the patina on this one, but the scratches kind of ruin it since they are shiny. If the whole blade had the scratches I would leave it cause it makes the blade look almost holographic when changing the angle in the light. Any suggestions would be most appreciated.

[smalltank]

try sandpaper..start at 180 grit..go up from there til 2k or even 2500

[JSmith1983]

Was really trying not to remove the patina cause I like the look of age on these older, bigger razors, but I am thinking that I am going to have to. Thanks.

[Havachat45]

I've heard that metal polish with 0000 steel wool works well to remove most of the gunk and leaves the patina - I can't say for sure 'cause I haven't tried it - yet

[recurvist22]

If you do any reloading and own a tumbler, you can throw it in there for a while. Wont remove the pits but removes alot of gunk.

[gssixgun]

Before you go any farther, you might want to cut a bevel and see what is under that "Patina" make sure you have clean solid steel in the bevel before you invest time on a restore...

[JSmith1983]

That is usually the first thing I do now. I had one that I spent alot of time restoring just to turn out I couldn't get a decent bevel without removing half of the blade. I was looking at some post about forcing patina was thinking I could do that afterwards, but it just isn't the same. This one I think will be on the back burner for awhile till I decide what I want to do.