First Restoration

Just picked this up for $25 for my first proper restoration. I've sanded back the rust and there is virtually no pitting under there and the bevel looks nice. I think the scales are horn or some kind of synthetic. I'll update the thread with pics as I continue to work on it.




After sanding back it reads I.H. John Heiffor Sheffield

West Wyalong is a town in regional Australia so I imagine this guy must have rescaled the razor at some point.

That's a very nice straight! I'm pretty sure the scales are horn.
You have your work cut out though, the thick rust near the tip will probably require a lot of heavy sanding.
If you can find some evaporust, it might help you get the worst of it and neutralize most of the rust so even if you leave some back it won't be active (I think). I'd start with 80-grit w/d and go from there.

Anyhow good luck and keep us updated!

This is after my first round of sanding which took forever as I only had 600 grit

Looks real good! 600 Grit, I sure believe it took you a while! I didn't think you'd be able to save the etching on the face of the blade. Good job.

Looking great so far! What's the plan for scales? Can you restore the originals? Looking forward to the finished razor.

The scales have got some cracking and splintering but I think some epoxy and sanding will fix that up. I'm going to try to restore them if not then I'll look around for some replacements.

So i decided to leave the black corrosion pattern on there as it was going to take an ungodly amount of sanding to get out and I'd loose all the etching. Given it a light polish and a hone.

Nice work! I love the patina you left. I'm often too tempted to get a gleaming show piece and forget that part of the joy is the history.

Looks great! You maintained the razors character and that's the hardest thing to do. The pins look nice too.

Very nice job and good balance on the restoration!

Very nice. I love my Heiffor razor.