Checking In and Looking for Feedback on Crafting

[macbeth60608]

Good morning all,

I've recently been bit by the straight razor bug. I've been working on rescaling and light altercations/refurbishment of blades. Would anyone care to give their opinion of this Henckels 401 Platinum I'm nearly finished with?

I think the shape of the scales is a little rough and it feels slightly awkward in the hand. The stains happened while strawing the blade. Improper prepwork on my part. Also pardon some of the poorer photos, I'm limited by my equipment.

Respectfully,
M

 

[Stuart Ganis]

Welcome from West Tennessee..

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[Stuart Ganis]

Can't help with your question, but I bet you are the oldest person on this forum, 120 years old wow!

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[macbeth60608]

Thanks for the welcome. Apologies for the deception. I'd like to respectfully claim a desire for privacy.

 

[Gamma]

This thread might be better off in the restoration subforum.
If the scales feel awkward, you have some reshaping to do. At a glance, I'd consider thinning the pivot area, and possibly reprofiling the bottom curve so you don't have a 'swell' toward the pivot. That might help with visual as well as tactile balance. Cutting your own scale design is challenging. I have had several fails, a few 'meh' ideas - etc. Sometimes it takes several attempts before the idea in my head actually shows up.

 

[Xijukx]

I like the concept, what is that material? Did you peen it yourself to get that texture?

 

[5whiskey]

So I think you would like your scales a bit better if you rounded all of the edges, akin to scales on a knife or pistol grips. I’m also interested in the material but I’d offer a guess that it’s cast aluminum, zinc, or tin (less likely $$$$) then hand peened. Did you clean the blade up and then force patina, or is that how it came? Interesting scales though, I do like them.

Edit: looking back my new guess is on forged steel. Peened and stamped at forging temps then brightened up. If that is correct, you did pretty decent work there.

 

[KW Driver]

looks better than my first attempt. the scales look a bit large for the blade overall to me, and if you take Gamma's advice that might also help with the balance and feel.

but this is how we learn, so good on ya for trying.