First straight & restore

hey everyone. So this is my first straight I don’t have any other equipment for it yet not sure on everything I will need either. I would like to restore it and use it to learn to use. Any help tips pointers I am open to learn. teach away lol

 

How do I go about fixing the heel?

 

You need to re-profile the heel there, (reshape so the shoulder does not impact on the honing of the blade)

Thats a big project for a 'first restore' not impossible just a lot to do.

Are going to hone it your self?

Have you honed a razor before?

Sorry if you have mentioned either of those in other threads

 

I’m going to try to find a stone soon just not sure what yet. I have not honed a razor yet either. Lol no problem. I am completely new to straights

 

All I have currently is the razor itself

 

A file or DMT plate is what I use to reshape the heel, then I sand it to make a polished finish, imho its easier to restore a razor when you hone them your self, Ive seen some for sale on ebay that have been restored and over buffed in places,
I go gentile when using a file or DMT on the heel esp with very hollow ground razors.

Are you planning on removing the scales and replacing the original ones? or cleaning those up, if cleaning them up are you going to remove them clean them and then replace them?

Hmm I seem to be asking you questions rather than answering your lol.

Sorry about that but there is a lot to consider before restoring a razor, its so easy to make a mistake. and when most vintage razors a very old they all tend to have some issues either from neglect or poor honing over the years.

 

I am thinking about cleaning the ones on there. I was going to try to clean them while they are all together because I don’t really know how to remove and replace them.

Baby steps

Questions are ok it’s helping me learn. I don’t mind them especially since this is all new to me.

When you sand it are you using like a 2000 grit?

 

I have corrected many razors, with "Frowns". The safest way I Have found is to use a very coarse hone, one used for tools. You then grind the frown flat, or add a little "Smile", by using a "Bread Knife" motion. Use a light touch, at first, then you can a a small amount of pressure, as you work past the bevel area. It's much easier than it looks.
Second issue will be the blade stabilizer. You will need to either use a Dremel and reduce both sides, or my advise, send it off to be properly honed.
Pretty up the blade, before you do anything. I wouldn't try honing this one, as a first. Dubl Ducks have very thin blades, and its easy to mess it up. Plus, with the heal issues, it's going to be difficult, even for someone who has honed a few blades before. Don't take the chance and mess a very collectable razor up, by learning to hone with it.

 

Ok I may send it off to be honed then. Where do y’all send them?

 

That is a great attitude, do it your self. IMOH you are taking a big bite and learning three disciplines at the same time. Straight razor restoration, straight razor honing and use of a straight will all take a learning curve. A Dubl Duck is a outstanding razor, but can be turned to junk quick. It take time to learn, muscle memory and such, but it is a great journey

 

Give @gssixgun a call.

 

Ok I will send him a message I am gonna try to get it cleaned and polish up a little bit first. What do y’all used to clean and polish the blades? High grit like 2000 sand paper or a compound?

 

Start low 220 and progress through the grits to 2000. Use a good 3m brand wet/dry if available. Do it with water, or oil. With water, it seems to work faster. I use Flitz polish after the sanding.

 

Anyone know how I would go about cleaning and polishing up the scales?

 

Here is a quick update on progress. Got it cleaned up a bit on this side not done yet. Been using 400

 

I have successfully cleaned and polished quite a few scales. Depending on condition I would wetsand starting with 400 working up to 1000. Sand the scales and the emblem. Then to a loose buffing wheel with white compound. This only restores the outside unless unpinned where you can do the inside. One thing to keep in mind, old acrylic and celluide is fragile and can break easily

 

Ok I will start with the outside. I’m gonna do a little research on pinning and unponning.

 

Your steel took nicely to the 400 grit. A tip is as you move to a higher grit, sand perpendicular to the lower grit. Can see when lower grit scratches are gone and know when to move on

 

Awesome thank you for the tip I will do that

 

Got it pretty cleaned up now. I am going to try to get a polish compound and my dremel to finish getting some of it off and that brilliant shine lol. Then it’s time for the honing process