Custom Wostenholm for 45Auto

Here's one I just put the finishing touches on today following a busy Easter morning!

Mitch (@45auto ) sent me this George Wostenholm razor a few weeks ago and asked for some inlaid horn scales.

The BEFORE Shots
The blade itself was not in bad shape. Some areas of built-up black rust (which, depending upon the severity, can leave some hidden pitting). The scales were pretty far gone—split, missing the pivot end cap & re-pinned.

Back of the blade and tang showing black rust spots...

Black rust on engraved tang and broken scale. Re-pinned at one point in the razor's history

Some areas of black rust on the etched face. The trick is to remove as much rust without compromising the integrity of the etching. When I worked on removing the surface rust, it revealed some pockets of pitting that were best left alone—other wise you'd begin to lose the etching…consider them 'character' lines….


Post-Restore Shots
• New scales: Streaked Buffalo horn
• End wedge made of brass-lined amber
• Inlaid gold celtic cross
• Solid brass pins and double brass outer washers; brass inner washers.

Next step is to get this razor honed up!

 

Sweet! Mitch (Auto) will enjoy this!

 

Kevin, the artist inside you has come out, surely!

Man, that razor is a treasure.
Absolutely beautiful!

I would say that you have found your calling, but......

 

Outstanding...

 

Wow, what a beautiful restoration! and fabulous pics too!

 

A beauty!

 

Right now I have very overwhelming emotions and gratitude Kevin I am having a hard time to find the right words.!

 

WOW..

 

One more, I forgot to upload….

 

Amazing!!!

 

Stunning from start to finish! I really love that amber wedge.

 

Nice restore Kevin, and being a full blooded 100% Celt myself that Celtic cross is a nice little touch.

 

very nice kevin

 

Thanks, Jamie.
Mitch sent me the little gold cross and requested an inlay on the scales. I've more experience with inlay in hardwood (guitar fretboards, for example) than with horn. Horn is considerably more prone to splitting and fracturing, with little flecks coming off if one isn't careful.

I had the option of positioning the cross parallel to the grain pattern or perpendicular. I opted to follow the streak in the horn, and have the cross orientation be right-side up when one is holding the razor.

 

Dang! That's purty!

 

Very nice. Funny thing pitting on a safety razor drives me nuts, but seeing the pitting on a straight does not.

 

Pitting is a marking of time...and black rust...hehe

 

That is a work of art.

 

Absolutely outstanding work and photographs Kevin!