My first straight and restoration

[barnstormer]

I started a thread in the general straight razor talk forum but I thought I should probably continue it here instead. Here is the link to the other thread so you can check out my progress. Any advice and or tips would be appreciated. My only question so far is that when I get ready to pin it, is there some kind of bushing to put in the pivot point? I looks like the hole in the blade is going to be larger than the pin will be.

Thanks everyone!

 

[barnstormer]

Here are some pictures of the progress. Some are probably the same as the other thread but I'll repost them here. I bought the razor for $8 at a gun show. I thought it would be a fun project to clean up for my first straight razor. This is how it looked when I brought it home.

 

[barnstormer]

Here is a couple pictures after just a little polishing.
View attachment 307440

 

[barnstormer]

I removed the scales and started with some sandpaper and steel wool.

 

[barnstormer]

I kept polishing with a progression of automotive valve polishing compound, mothers metal polish, turtle wax rubbing compound, and finished with turtle wax polishing compound. You can still see a little pitting where the rust was, but I am fine with that for the character and age it lends to the razor. You can also see some fine scratches that wouldn't come out but I am happy with the result. Now I am thinking about the scales. I think I will stick to black horn so it looks closer to its original. I might play with the design of the scales though.

 

[oakeshott]

This was really interesting for me. I didn't use any compound, but used a series of grits up to 2000. What would you recommend for increasing the quality of the finish after 2000 grit that is a compound?

 

[barnstormer]

Well this is my first one so I am kind of experimenting too. Any metal polish, i use mothers, would work well I imagine. I haven't looked, but i'm sure there are different grits of rubbing compound you could use to work finer and finer. It seems me me I saw a how to video somewhere on here where a guy had different sticks of compound he used on his bench grinder with cloth wheels. I'm sure there are others here with more experience that would lend some advice too.

Good Luck!