what to look for?

[John C]

I've been running across *tons* of straights when I've been out antiquing over the last several weeks. I'm really curious about picking up a few of them, but I have NO idea what I need to be looking for in an antique blade.
Help please!

Also, I've noticed that all the scales that I see are wood, plastic, and other materials. Is there a reason that scales are not made out of metal? I know that a lot of folks wouldn't want silver because of the tarnish issues, but is there some other reason? ie. weight and balance of the razor.

Of course there is a reason for the question on metal scales. I do a bit of free hand engraving, and I thought that it would be neat to make a set of engraved scales out of nickle or brass and then plate the brass.

thanks

 

[mdunn]

what to look for? stuff like maker, how much rust, condition of edge, amount of honewear, how even is that honewear - basically then weigh up how much time/effort/money it would take to bring it to life.

some were made out of metal, probably they were not used often for weight and cost reasons

 

[red96ta]

Some of the things I look primarily is a straight and level edge. Frowning edges are a no-no in my book since I would rather not hone it out. When you consider rust on the blade, I remember one thing....however bad it looks, the damage is usually twice as bad once I get the rust off and examine the resulting pitting. If you see a blade with mild rust and pitting, you're going to have moderate pitting once you get it worked down.

Which leads me to another thing...you can either work that blade until all the pitting is gone, but personally, I don't have hours on end sanding blades to make them look perfect. I just get the cancer off of it and leave the pitting, buff it up and hone and then it's off to the bathroom for a test.

I personally don't look too much into the maker. A nice no-name razor is better than a damaged Wade and Butcher IMHO.

The bottom line with antique finds is that it will always be a gamble...if you're a gambler, go for it. If you want a sure thing, go to the BST for one that's all ready to go. Personally, a $20-$30 gamble is worth it. Just learn how to hedge your bets by learning what to look for.

 

[GG1]

As for metal scales, I use a Polish army issue Wapi. It has stainless scales.

 

[Emmett]

It depends on what your plans for it are. I bought the first one I ever found and it turned out to be a nice 8/8 W&B with warped scales. I wanted to try to hone it but didn't want to screw it up, it being my first attempt and all, so I went out and found a junker to practice on. If your plans are to rescale, I would look for a nice blade and send it to a honemeister once you're finished with your part. If you want to learn honing or blade resto, I'd say get some junkers first.

 

[John C]

I think that I'm leaning towards a junker to restore. I'm interested in cleaning up a blade and making some new scales, and then probably sending it off to someone for a good honing. Or, should I clead up the blade and send it off *before* I try to put it into new scales?

thanks for all the help

 

[mdunn]

put it in the scales first - otherwise you run a very real risk of dinging the edge while fitting it.

 

[ambrose]

I agree with what the fellas are saying, I would recommend not getting anything bellow a 5/8 size. Just go with your gut if you like it and it looks like it will clean up go for it.

 

[John C]

Cool, thanks for the info guys.
I'm thinking I'll look for a decent straight this weekend in my treasurehunts.

 

[John C]

Here is what I found this weekend.
I guess the next step is to remove the pins and disasemble the razor.

 

[ambrose]

I personally would leave it pinned just clean and hone.
I recently restored one just like that, you can see it in my restoration thread.

 

[leighton]

Here is what I found this weekend.
I guess the next step is to remove the pins and disasemble the razor.

No way. 10 minutes with me and the buffing machine will clean that bad boy up real nice. Ok, maybe more than 10 minutes, but you get the point.

Even the scales can look like new.

 

[zippo]

nice find ,blade looks in pretty good nick,the scales as well. Personally,going by the pics, I would give this a good going over with polish and leave the pins alone,if you want to clean the pivot area ,just use thick dental floss and the metal polish of choice and it will do the trick with some patience and elbow grease.
After that get it honed by someone that knows what their doing, as the blade looks to have a slight smile ,my favorite, and give it a run to see if you like str8 shaving before the bug bites and the bank balance is depleted some what .
A cheep functional strop can be had from a wide flat belt from one of the $2 shops and will preform as good if not better than the bottom end strops from zeepk and the likes (stay away from their razors)
Any way I hope this helps ,good luck and welcome
Kind regards Peter

 

[John C]

Ok, it sounds like I did too good on this find. I was looking for something to make some new scales for, but if this little darlin' is in such decent shape it would probably be doing it a disservice to break into it.

I should probably be looking for something with a decent blade and cracked scales.

In the meantime, I'll work on cleaning up this one and leaving the scales alone, then send it off to be honed.