I bought this razor for four bucks with a broken scale. The scales were celuloid and had already started rusting the blade.
I didn't spend too much time removing the rust because I really don't have the tools (I used a dremel to remove the worst of it). I also didn't polish the blade as much as I could have, because I am more interested in shaving with it and no one but me really sees the razors.
The wood is salvaged from barn boards. I saved this particular piece of wood because the edge had an interesting grain pattern. I think it's sycamore, but don't know for sure. I have several boards, but only two of them had this interesting edge grain. It just happened to be a thick enough board to rip a slice off and make scales out of it.
The wood should probably have been put into more experienced hands, but I have more if someone would like to show me what might actually be done with it.
I used brass nails for the pins, and made the washers on my lathe. I did order washers for the next one, but I'm not patient enough to wait for them to arrive.
It does work just fine. I shaved with it tonight.
There are a few problems I notice from this job.
The rivet setting tool I used to back the rivets with was a bit too big. I need to make a smaller one.
The rivets ended up taller than the originals, and it will not fit into the original box anymore (the scales are also a tad thicker) I'm not concerned about using the original box though.
I didn't sand the wood perfectly smooth, I stopped at 400 grit and only raised the grain once, and there is only one coat of varnish on it. I might sand and recoat again when I repin it.
The hinge pin peened over a bit off center. I might redo this when the washers arrive.
Are there any suggestions for the next attempt?
I didn't spend too much time removing the rust because I really don't have the tools (I used a dremel to remove the worst of it). I also didn't polish the blade as much as I could have, because I am more interested in shaving with it and no one but me really sees the razors.
The wood is salvaged from barn boards. I saved this particular piece of wood because the edge had an interesting grain pattern. I think it's sycamore, but don't know for sure. I have several boards, but only two of them had this interesting edge grain. It just happened to be a thick enough board to rip a slice off and make scales out of it.
The wood should probably have been put into more experienced hands, but I have more if someone would like to show me what might actually be done with it.
I used brass nails for the pins, and made the washers on my lathe. I did order washers for the next one, but I'm not patient enough to wait for them to arrive.
It does work just fine. I shaved with it tonight.
There are a few problems I notice from this job.
The rivet setting tool I used to back the rivets with was a bit too big. I need to make a smaller one.
The rivets ended up taller than the originals, and it will not fit into the original box anymore (the scales are also a tad thicker) I'm not concerned about using the original box though.
I didn't sand the wood perfectly smooth, I stopped at 400 grit and only raised the grain once, and there is only one coat of varnish on it. I might sand and recoat again when I repin it.
The hinge pin peened over a bit off center. I might redo this when the washers arrive.
Are there any suggestions for the next attempt?