Ladies and Gentlemen, Here are pictures of my first restore, a Geneva 11/16. I tried to keep it as inexpensive as possible. The scales are from a piece of poplar that cost less than three dollars, the wedge is from a cow bone purchased at the pet store, and the pins are brass coated nails. The one thing I would do differently next time is, I would use a drill press to make the holes for the pins. No matter how hard I tried, drilling precision holes is beyond my capabilities.
I must admit I still haven't shaved with it yet, it's still not honed:ashamed001 I am torn between buying a basic set of stones or sending it out. Any suggestions?
Sweet looking job! happy088 I've sent all my blades to Glen, gssixgun here at TSD, as have many others. Great guy to work with who does a fantastic job. Here's his website.
This is really good work, you made the scales in the right proportions and they look as though they balance with the razor... The most common thing I see on first restores are scales that are pretty large for the razors because it is tough to get the sizing and feel correct but you bypassed that problem... Congrats !!! :signs107 The only very very small worry I heard not saw is the Brass Coated nails... This could become a problem later down the line, they carry Pure Brass Estruntion (sp) pins at most hardware store and these do work pretty well.... You might need to anneal them to get the peen right though... I use either 1/16 Brass rod or 1/16 Nickel Silver rod and make my own...
I had some help with the scales. I just happend to have scales from another razor with the same size blade and used it as a pattern. I didn't realize that the nails were only brass coated until I started peening them and they turned silver. I found a knife supply store that sells 1/16 brass and nickel silver rod. As soon as I can get to a drill press, I have a Boker that I'm re-scaling in purple heart with a turquois wedge. I'll post pictures as soon as I finish it.
If you haven't picked up a Honing set by the time the Post Office gets open again after the 4th,,, I will extend an offer to hone that puppy up for you, then you can start honing your own after that if you want.. One, I know I can't wait to shave a fresh restore Two, it will give you at least an idea of what they should shave like and what the edge should feel like... Shipping is on you, Honing is on me gratis, one restorer to another PM me if you want
Great job! Considering you have other razors to restore, you should send this to Glen to hone while you work on restoring the others. That way it will come back when you are ready to send others out or hone yourself.
