Well, I was going to revive an old thread where I had asked several questions of you experience fellas around here. I realized, however, that those questions have since been answered, and it wouldn't do me any good to have people answering them all over again.
I got into this little hobby shortly after my introduction to wet shaving. I like to work with my hands, and this is a great activity to help pass the time during the cold winters in Montana. This summer, though, I was traveling relentlessly and had to completely postpone my introduction to razor restoration. Now that it's cold again, I'm back at it.
Basically, in that other post I referred to I was beginning to learn the art of razor restoration, and that started with a Joseph Allen & Sons 5/8 wedge (or nearly wedge). That blade is pretty much ready for scales now. I haven't quite acquired all of the tools for scale making yet, but as soon as I do I'll have that one finished up and will get some pics up for you. I work as a volunteer, so everything I do is on a minimal budget. Buying $20 worth of coping saw is something I have to plan for.
In the meantime, I thought I would post some of the others I have started. These three I just undressed (removed scales) today. I began cleaning the blades, but they aren't ready for pics quite yet. They have come from various places. Two of these I picked up off of a B&B'er here to learn on, and the other I got from a local antique shop.
Anyway, I'm going to use this post to ask some questions to some of you experienced guys and also as a show and tell sort of thing. If any of you guys have some input on these razors (shave quality, things you notice about them, history, whatever) let me know. You can probably provide me some information I don't already have.
Here we go:
Razor 1 is a Traveler's Gem. The back is marked "Rich Leukroth New York, Made in Germany". This one has some pitting right on the shaving edge. My hone skills are very novice, so I don't know what I'll be able to do with it. I was going to try to salvage the scales (they were in good shape only misaligned), but I busted one of them in the de-scaling process. I found a source for sheet carbon fiber that I'd like to try to make some scales from for some of these lighter blades. Anyone ever work with that stuff? Does it make good scales?
Razor 2 is another Joseph Allen & Sons Non XLL. It has some pretty heavy hone wear near the toe but a fairly clean edge. It should clean up nicely.
Finally, this one is a Joseph Fenton & Sons Cutlers, Sheffield. I've never heard of it. The tip has a quasi-French point, but looks to have been modified at some point. I've never heard of this brand before, but it looks pretty solid. The pitting is pretty deep, but it should polish up. It is roughly a 6/8, 1/4 hollow. Nice heavy blade.
The three of them, undressed.
I got into this little hobby shortly after my introduction to wet shaving. I like to work with my hands, and this is a great activity to help pass the time during the cold winters in Montana. This summer, though, I was traveling relentlessly and had to completely postpone my introduction to razor restoration. Now that it's cold again, I'm back at it.
Basically, in that other post I referred to I was beginning to learn the art of razor restoration, and that started with a Joseph Allen & Sons 5/8 wedge (or nearly wedge). That blade is pretty much ready for scales now. I haven't quite acquired all of the tools for scale making yet, but as soon as I do I'll have that one finished up and will get some pics up for you. I work as a volunteer, so everything I do is on a minimal budget. Buying $20 worth of coping saw is something I have to plan for.
In the meantime, I thought I would post some of the others I have started. These three I just undressed (removed scales) today. I began cleaning the blades, but they aren't ready for pics quite yet. They have come from various places. Two of these I picked up off of a B&B'er here to learn on, and the other I got from a local antique shop.
Anyway, I'm going to use this post to ask some questions to some of you experienced guys and also as a show and tell sort of thing. If any of you guys have some input on these razors (shave quality, things you notice about them, history, whatever) let me know. You can probably provide me some information I don't already have.
Here we go:
Razor 1 is a Traveler's Gem. The back is marked "Rich Leukroth New York, Made in Germany". This one has some pitting right on the shaving edge. My hone skills are very novice, so I don't know what I'll be able to do with it. I was going to try to salvage the scales (they were in good shape only misaligned), but I busted one of them in the de-scaling process. I found a source for sheet carbon fiber that I'd like to try to make some scales from for some of these lighter blades. Anyone ever work with that stuff? Does it make good scales?
Razor 2 is another Joseph Allen & Sons Non XLL. It has some pretty heavy hone wear near the toe but a fairly clean edge. It should clean up nicely.
Finally, this one is a Joseph Fenton & Sons Cutlers, Sheffield. I've never heard of it. The tip has a quasi-French point, but looks to have been modified at some point. I've never heard of this brand before, but it looks pretty solid. The pitting is pretty deep, but it should polish up. It is roughly a 6/8, 1/4 hollow. Nice heavy blade.
The three of them, undressed.
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) Glen (GSsixgun) recommended that you use a small diameter sanding drum and slowly rework the tip. So that's what I did. I set my rotary tool on the slowest setting and slowly worked the blade from the edge to the spine always keeping the direction of spin going towards the thicker part of the razor blade. I don't know if the direction of the spin means much or not, but I it made me feel better working towards the stronger part of the blade. I wrapped the razor in several layers of old shop rag and held the blade with a leather gloved hand. I also wore saftey goggles in case the blade shattered or a bit of junk flew off the wheel and into my face. 
I really want that blade to shine.
