What's on your work bench right now?

[H Brad Boonshaft]

“Does anyone knows is the scales can be celluloid with that color?”

Yup, celluloid, that color and swirl combination were popular but the swirl pattern can also off glass, keep an eye on them.

Nice clean up and heel reprofile. Love the badge/inlay.

 

[SlimGem]

Just a quick pictorial Show n' Tell on how I made some scales for a Frederick Reynolds in need of new scales.

Thanks to @Frank Shaves for posting a picture of a Frederick Reynolds with original and traditional scales.

The first step is to import the Frederick Reynolds Straight Razor photos into a CAD program where I can scale and trace the scales as close to the original as possible. After scaling and tracing, I begin the 3d model design of the scales which I will 3d print to use as templates for duplicating.

Once the scales are 3d printed, they are mounted on a guide block with double-face tape. The source material is Brazilian Ebony wood. The guide block with template scales and ebony wood is used to carve the scales on a homemade duplicator with a basic rotary tool and guide pin (guide pin and carving bit have the same ball-nose profile for better accuracy).

After duplicating is done, it is time for sanding and a few coats of tung oil. The final step is some light polishing on a buffing wheel for a final shine.

For me, the advantage of using a duplicator for making scales is accuracy and repeatability. And I can also manipulate the base 3d model for duplicating and accommodating different straight razor blades.

 

[Frank Shaves]

^
Nice!

 

[Pack line]

New project. One of those bid and ebay not expecting to win then surprise you won. Wade and butcher wedge that someone must have thought was a pocket knife. Evidence of buffing but i took a file to the edge and it skates right across. Thank god it is thick. So far it is disassembled and some light sanding. Don't think i am going to go crazy cleaning this thing up. Pivot hole is going to need a bushing and make some new scales.

 

[Pack line]

I also did some sharpy on the blade and a few laps on a shapton 500. As i thought the sharpy was still on the edge. It was either honed with 15 layers of tape or freehand like a knife.

 

[SlimGem]

New ebony scales for Frederick Reynolds straight razor

This scale project took longer than expected, but, I'm happy with the results.

The Brazilian Ebnoy wood has a nice grain and I think it complements the blade quite well, and the traditional shape of the scales reflects originality. I've always liked the look of traditional scales, especially for these big blades, but since I'm not very good at freehand carving and sanding, making a 3D model and using a duplicator was the way to go.

 

[Brad P]

Hey @SlimGem, that project turned out very nicely! Great job.

 

[SlimGem]

Hey @SlimGem, that project turned out very nicely! Great job.

Thanks! It was a fun little project.

 

[jaro 101969]

I cleaned up the Le Grelot 357 11/6 quarter hollow that I bought from another member. The razor was in good condition when I received it. If you looked closely at just the right angle, you could still see the plating, though it was faint. No real oxidation but there were some scratches.

Before.

View attachment 1813941

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As much as I wanted to preserve the plating, I decided to remove the scratches. I went 1200 (no), 800 (no), 400 (no), 240 (yep), and sanded the blade with 240, 400, 800, 1200, 2000 and finished with a little Mothers and RenWax.

After. The blade now looks new minus the plating and mirror finish. Now has a buttery satin finish. Zero visible wear. The photo doesn't quite capture how the finish pops under daylight. I could not be happier with the razor!

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Looks Very nice.. One day I will find one of those brand razors to fix... I hope to find one of those... I also Really Really want to find a Wade and Butcher razor to redo or Already redone as I really Really WANT one !! I have never ever been able to find one of the W&B razors near me for less than a small fortune...

 

[Frank Shaves]

Wade & Butcher exports tons of razors to the US. There is now an endless supply of Wade & Butcher razors on eBay - just search for "wade butcher straight razor". I would ask other members in Asia that have these razors how they obtained them. Any relatives in the US. There may also be proxy services that purchase and ship eBay products for a nominal fee.

A good place to ask would be here:

Straight Razor Acquisition Thread

Okay, so I'm definitely not being original on this, totally taking Bigfoot's idea, but I love looking at the Safety Razor Acquisition Thread on the DE Subforum and I haven't been able to find one for straight razors. I'd love to see any Straights you've recently acquired (Pictures are a must)...

www.badgerandblade.com

 

[Frank Shaves]

@SlimGem, Nicely done! You knocked this one out of the park. The ebony scales look fantastic!

 

[SlimGem]

@SlimGem, Nicely done! You knocked this one out of the park. The ebony scales look fantastic!

Thank you, @Frank Shaves, I followed the picture you provided as close as I could. I'm happy with the results.

 

[Pack line]

Another project. Blade needs some love. Someone decided to sharpen it like a normal knife so i have quite a bit of material to remove to get it back to proper. But the price was right.

 

[carlosj]

Puma Solingen 69 6/8. Seems was made for the French market. Scales came with a crack and slight bent. They are cellulose. Sanded with 1000 and 1500 w/d and polished with Autosol. Mocking with buffalo horn:

 

[Frank Shaves]

^
These are great razors. Nice job. There comes a time when it is time to say farewell to etching and plating. Good call, in my opinion.

You should get great shaves from this razor!

 

[carlosj]

Done. Happy with the result:

 

[Gamma]

Rotten steel fully eliminated this morning, so new pins, new collars, new pivot washers. Original lead wedge. Original scales are damaged, not being resto'd, and staying put for the time being. Rust, funk and gunk removed.
This rat rod blade will shave uber-well, it's got 'that' feel on the stone.

 

[Pack line]

Project day. Repaired a cleaver with a bent edge. Looked like someone was opening beer bottles with it.

 

[Pack line]

Got some more work done on a w&b resto. Pivot hole bushed, blade sanded. Got more sanding to do but its a good start. Before photos are a few posts ago. Not sure if i am making new scales or not. I have a w&b full hollow that might end up being a 2/8th when i get to good steel. But the scales are in good condition

 

[Pack line]

Quick kydex sheath for a machete