Heljestrand MK No. 6 accident, what should I do?

[billhinge]

I was soaking this recent purchase in isopropanol to clean and sterilise it and when I took it out the celluloid scales disintegrated (they were tight before they went it), there is another crack round the other pin. At least the blade came out looking really clean

So what do now?

1 - throw it in the bin

or pimp it up

2 - TI Rams Horn ready made replacements
3 - DIY horn
4 - DIY wood
5 - Ivory with lead wedge, no washer (I have a 5 day set of victorian sheffield razors - see pic)
6 - rhodium/gold/nickel plate the blade

Any ideas?

 

[Lightcs1776]

I vote for a rescale. It could be even better than before.

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[Pattorashu]

A rescale could be a very fun project if you're up to it. I would avoid chucking it in the bin, though. If you don't feel up to a rescale, someone would probably buy or want the blade alone to do a custom razor with.

 

[billhinge]

I was only joking about chucking it in the bin, blade is in pretty good condition, no rust or marks , I really fancy a rescale, but since the scales appeared in good condition I wasn't going to with this razor. However, fate has twisted my hand.

I'm really tempted to go OTT and have it gold or rhodium plated with fancy scales as a fun project, only question is what kind. I could go ivory since I've got a set of 5 ivory razors I could take scales from, but horn or wood also sound good

 

[Njguy1977]

To each their own, but if I was in that predicament I’d polish the blade as is. In my eyes any kind of plating will eventually wear off when you hone. As far as the scales, bone, horn or ivory all the way. I like vintage but you can go with a custom horn or bone and have a killer look. But do what ever makes you happy.

Larry

 

[Ice-Man]

Looks to me as those scales was cracked in the first place and repaired, with you soaking them that's when you found out as the isopropanol killed whatever was used.

Now the question is new scales you can make them from acrilic to wood the choice is endless, but if you want a twist I would look here Elforyn this stuff is fantastic. If you look at all the site you might find something you like, I used it on one of mine That can be found here MK 31 and scroll down but I hope you keep us updated with this one Sir!!!!

 

[billhinge]

Hi there, I've just this minute ordered a set of replacement TI rams horn scales similar to these, well its christmas!

 

[Lightcs1776]

Hi there, I've just this minute ordered a set of replacement TI rams horn scales similar to these, well its christmas!

It's going to look awesome.

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[JamesBlades]

Yeah, I was gonna vote for Rams horn!

 

[Pattorashu]

The rams horn should look great! Definitely no plating, just give it a solid polish and coat it with a mild protectant. Hone it up, and away you go!

 

[billhinge]

cool, will post as soon as the scales arrive probably at the end of the week

Finish isn't too bad already but I've got wet and dry down to 7000 grit and various polishes

By protectant do you mean oil or some kind of laquer?

 

[Steve56]

Neatsfoot oil is usually what’s used on horn.

 

[Jim99]

Good choice for scales. I can’t wait to the the finished product.

 

[billhinge]

Neatsfoot oil is usually what’s used on horn.

Thanks, got pure neatsfoot

 

[Slash McCoy]

Horn makes beautiful scales. Prefab horn scales, if they are the right shape and size for your razor, are a good way to go. Cutting your own from slabs of horn can be a PITA because when you slice it, thin it, or shape it, it usually will warp. It can be straightened with the application of heat but often after a time it will warp again. This is the nature of horn. Once you get it right though, there are few things more beautiful than a nice set of translucent honey horn scales, and black horn has a very classy look, too.

G-10 is great even if it isn't all that classy. Very tough and durable. Acrylic is not so durable, but dead cheap and can be rather attractive. New materials like Kirinite or various MOP or abalone laminates can have a most striking appearance. Wood can be nice. I am partial to ebony and ziricote. The various artificial ivory substances are mostly pretty nice. I would not remove real ivory scales from another razor to use, unless that razor was not usable and not repairable. No sense risking damage to genuine ivory scales.

It would be nice if we could get some of that Siberian mammoth ivory at a good price for scales. It probably won't work as easily as modern era ivory and you won't find much mammoth ivory with that classic snowy white color but hey, Ivory, and what could be more classic than 30k year old ivory from a prehistoric animal that died out when our ancestors were still living in caves, carrying clubs, and shaving with clam shells or obsidian flakes, if at all?

The prefab scales you ordered should look very nice. If they are a good fit, you will not regret the purchase. I wouldn't do any plating, especially any all-over plating. Or etching.

You are gonna end up with a very nice razor, I think.

 

[billhinge]

Thanks, I saw some places selling horn and mammoth but I don't really have any knowledge of working with them, wood would be OK to try (found some nice burr) but I figured ready sized 5/8-6/8 Thiers-Issard should be fine (there is a 7/8 as well), bit more expensive than raw horn but probably not much after factoring in the time and tools required to cut and finish them.

I found a german specialist site selling russian mammoth etc (starting at over 500 euro for a 2kg piece!) but I wouldn't know how to work it to do it justice plus you never know how it will cut. I kind of like the aged character in mammoth as opposed to modern-ish ivory

 

[billhinge]

I've received all the bits I need, scales, pivot vice, small drill bits, jewellers hammer.

The scales are pinned at one end, open at the other. They are supposed to fit 5/8 and 6/8 razors, there is another set for 7/8 razors

Now I plan to do the rescale by the weekend. Have given the no 6 a soak in isoprophenol and a polish and rubbed the tang with 1k to 7k wet and dry, left the blade with a satin finish as opposed to mirror finish

 

[bluesman 7]

They are supposed to fit 5/8 and 6/8 razors,

And do they?

 

[ajduplessis]

I was soaking this recent purchase in isopropanol to clean and sterilise it and when I took it out the celluloid scales disintegrated (they were tight before they went it), there is another crack round the other pin. At least the blade came out looking really clean

So what do now?

1 - throw it in the bin

or pimp it up

2 - TI Rams Horn ready made replacements
3 - DIY horn
4 - DIY wood
5 - Ivory with lead wedge, no washer (I have a 5 day set of victorian sheffield razors - see pic)
6 - rhodium/gold/nickel plate the blade

Any ideas?

Rescale with Ivory and horn wedge, or horn with ivory wedge, or dark hardwood with ivory wedge. Mirror polish the blade.

 

[billhinge]

And do they?

Yes, and you can see the hole through the scales