chechen W&Bs

Well, I recently finished two more razors; two W&B hollows each in chechen scales. This is the first time I've used chechen for scales (been meaning to for a while now), and I must say, this wood is incredible.

The sheet of chechen I have by itself didn't look like anything fantastic. It looked nice, but nothing too special. Then while working it into shape it started looking worse, but, I figured if it looks anything like the wood I have, it'll be worth it. Anyway, I finished up the final steps of shaping and sanding and then went for the CA finish. As soon as the first drop of CA hit the wood, the stuff just completely came alive. All it's vibrancy and the beautiful golden hues of the wood came through like a brick to the face. Needless to say, I'll definitely be using this stuff more often :)

Anyway, both razors have been brought to 400grit satin and then polished up. Even while working the blades it was easy to understand how W&B stayed in business for so long. Every indications so far points to the blades being of true W&B quality, and both of them sing nicely when 'plucked'. The scales both have the 3-pin treatement with a new type of wedge I've decided to try. The wedges are a laminate style composed of 1/16" acrylic between 1/10" brass shim.

And without further adieu, the photos
pre-finished
both front closed
both back closed
downview
new wedge
video
and lots more...

I'll be putting both up for sale in the buy/sell forum for $90 each, shave ready and shipped internationally insured. But, those of you who like to browse the restoration forum can get first dibs here if you want. They're so nice that I really want to keep one for myself, but if I kept as many of these razors as I wanted too, I'd be way to far in the negatives :shrug:

Both sold to nichhel

:eek: :y :tu

kewl !!!

Nenad

Jason, lovely work and top marks on the video which really helps to show off your work.

All I can say is right now I would take one off you if it were not for the fact that I have end of year business tax to pay and a boiler to replace, you me and my wallet would be having a heated debate ;)

Maybe in a few weeks time if one is still around, but I would be surprised if they are.

Those look very nice, and I like the look of the laminated wedge too.

Beautiful razors, beautifully done. I'm sorely tempted...

That's some serious porn Jason. Have you tried how it interacts with Truoil? That's what I wanted to try with that chechen blank that I still have.

Sweet!!

Those are Very nice Jason, I really like the look of the Chechen :)

Thanks for the praise guys, glad you all like them :) Those laminate wedges are abit tricky, but I think the results are worth it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FiReSTaRT

That's some serious porn Jason. Have you tried how it interacts with Truoil? That's what I wanted to try with that chechen blank that I still have.

---

As I don't have any tru-oil, I haven't tried it on anything yet. But, if it's anything like tung oil, then I imagine it would still bring out the features of the wood. I find that when you get a wood with these kinds of pearlescent features, that CA really brings them out the best. Just like yellowheart and purpleheart.

I was actually thinking "tung oil" but it got hijacked in favor of truoil by a random impulse lol.

Nice looking scales!

I made a pair of scales out of chechen a while back, and must say that the wood is very nice to work with. The CA finish you used does make the scales look much more glassy and deep than the Watco oil I used. I think maybe next time I'll try using CA since it looks so wonderful.

Well, one of our members offered to pick em both up. So, they're both sold pending payment. Can't believe they're both gone (or soon will be) and I didn't even have to put them in the selling forum :)

Outstanding work and I really liked the video, very effective touch. The pics are just superb.:)

Thanks Randy. Praise from you means a whole lot :y :bow
I like to make a video of scales when the grain of the wood plays in the light like chechen or yellowheart does. You really can't capture what those kinds of woods have to offer with static images. I wish my camera could maintain a fixed focus that close though :shrug: The nearest preset focal distance is half a meter, about 1.5 feet away.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ToxIk

Thanks Randy. Praise from you means a whole lot :y :bow
I like to make a video of scales when the grain of the wood plays in the light like chechen or yellowheart does. You really can't capture what those kinds of woods have to offer with static images. I wish my camera could maintain a fixed focus that close though :shrug: The nearest preset focal distance is half a meter, about 1.5 feet away.

---

I received these two beauties from Jason yesterday. They're even better than
the pictures, if that is credible.

What is not visible in the pictures is that just off center of where the light
hits the scales, the grain appears as a river of gold. It's like looking deep
into the iris of a cat's eye. The grain seems deep and many layered, as though flecks
of gold were floating just below a river of clear glass. The overall effect is
striking. The video Jason posted hints at some of the depth of the grain, but
you really have to see them up close to appreciate the effect.

They're also an identical pair! The only way I can tell them apart is that one
is slightly off center (the other is perfectly flush). Otherwise, they are hard to tell
apart, being of the same classic WB shape (highly polished) and glassy chechen
scales. I seriously considered buying a Dovo for use, and making them a 'show
pair' but have started using one. I am waiting for a microscope and strop
before I start using the other.

As you can tell, I *really really* like them, and I just wanted to congratulate
Jason on his handiwork.

-- dan (the lucky dog who got the razors.)

Beautiful work Jason Regards Gary