How to keep lettering on blade

[GeckoGizmo]

I pick up an old WB, something to experiment on. It is something new to me as it says "Concave Ground" on the blade. I know it has a lot of hone wear, but like I said, something to play experiment on.

Any suggestions on how to shine the blade without removing the lettering? I would think that any sanding would remove the lettering.

Also, what is the norm on restoring scales? I haven't unpinned it yet and have been looking for those larger washers (that look layered) but can only find them on ebay and they look like they cost more than they are worth.

Please take a look at these pics and tell me what you think. I'm completely open to ideas and I really can't hurt the razor. If I can fix it up and get a shave with it I will be satisfied.

[Baxxer]

Maybe you could put a thin strip of electrical tape over the etch and sand/polish away at the rest of the blade.

[Zephyr]

Looks to me like the lettering is relatively deep, if so it shouldn't be no problem to do a little sanding, if it on the other hand is a light etching sanding will take it out, and the only way to keep it is to leave it and keep the patina, and just clean it and hone it.

You can buy washers of different sizes from Microfasteners.com and stack them on your own, they cost a couple bucks for 100 washers.

The scales look pretty good from what I can see, I would have cleaned them (I use a toothbrush or scrubbing sponge and dishwashing soap), leave them in oil (neastfoot? *please correct me it I got this wrong, I don't use it myself, yet) at least over night, I usually let them soak for 24-48 hrs and then lightly sand them from 800-1200 or 2K grit and polish them, I've found Autosol (similar to Maas) to work quite well with horn.

Good luck

[Baxxer]

Yeah, I'm with Zephyr on the scales, they look like they would clean up nicely.
I've also had succes with using autosol to polish horn as well as razors'.

[nun2sharp]

The etch looks fairly deep to me. I would start sanding at around 1500 grit wet and dry, you shouldnt lose enough to notice, finish sanding with some 2k grit and then polish. Lightly sand the scales and pins with the 2k, very lightly and then either polish or rub in some neatsfoot oil. It will look like new!

[GeckoGizmo]

I had to order some 1.5k and 2k sandpaper so well see in a few days. Thanks for the advice!

[Theseus]

Another way to clean up etchings like that is steel wool. It won't remove much, if any metal, but can get rid of rust and tarnish easily.