Removing Scale Oxidization

[Smokingnshaving]

Just wanted to share a method I use to get rid of scale Oxidization that I learned from restoring tobacco pipe stems.

Here is a nice find from last weekend, a Joseph Rogers & Sons Star and Cross round point 6/8 straight razor. The scale material had severe oxidization and browning and needed some cleaning up.

1. Mix a tablespoon or two of oxiclean powder in a tall container with hot water.

2. Submerge scales in mixture and allow to soak for 5-10 minutes

3. Remove scales and wet sand with a magic eraser. The eraser is a very mild abrasive and you will start to see the brown Oxidization lifting onto the pad.

In short order you can bring the scales back to life and then I usually give the scales a rub in mink oil.

Here is the after:

 

[Smokingnshaving]

Better quality after photo

 

[Darth Scandalous]

Are these hard rubber scales? Ebonite, gutta percha, or whatever?

 

[Herrenberg]

Interesting. I wonder if it would work for Vulcanite pipe stems.

 

[Smokingnshaving]

Yes some form of hard rubber, ebonite, vulcanite, etc they all seem to behave the same. Very quick method, the job pictured above took around 20-25 minutes. If the oxidization is severe or deep enough I just do a few cycles of this method to bring things back around.

 

[Smokingnshaving]

Interesting. I wonder if it would work for Vulcanite pipe stems.

That's exactly where I learned this method, I have restored pipes for many years and this lead me into straight razor restoration a handful of years ago.

 

[lloydw]

Great clean up - looks awesome

 

[H Brad Boonshaft]

“Are these hard rubber scales? Ebonite, gutta percha, or whatever?”

Yea, Gutta Percha.

Steel wool and Oxi Clean works, sand with 600 and 1k wet and dry, polish with any good metal polish, or Green Stainless compound and buffer to a high gloss.

 

[alex1921]

Just wanted to share a method I use to get rid of scale Oxidization that I learned from restoring tobacco pipe stems.

View attachment 1625064

Here is a nice find from last weekend, a Joseph Rogers & Sons Star and Cross round point 6/8 straight razor. The scale material had severe oxidization and browning and needed some cleaning up.

1. Mix a tablespoon or two of oxiclean powder in a tall container with hot water.

2. Submerge scales in mixture and allow to soak for 5-10 minutes

3. Remove scales and wet sand with a magic eraser. The eraser is a very mild abrasive and you will start to see the brown Oxidization lifting onto the pad.

In short order you can bring the scales back to life and then I usually give the scales a rub in mink oil.

Here is the after:
View attachment 1625065

Very nice.

 

[Gamma]

I usually use Wenol metal polish on a cotton cloth, works well for me.