Here's one that's been sitting around that needed some work done on the scales. The scales were horn and in sad shape and the pins were shot. At least the blade was in a-okay shape. Plenty of sanding up to 2000 grit, plus some buffing brought the scales to a nice amber translucence. @TSimons was wondering when I'd ever get around to finishing this one! George Wostenholm & Son IXL 5/8 with barber's notch (pre-1891) Horn scales, sanded and polished Metal endwedge Brass pins & brass double washers Still to be honed………
Very nice. Per our discussion a few weeks ago regarding new vs vintage razors - This reinforces my belief that you should go with the vintage. That is a beautiful blade.
This is true. you don't see that many modern blades with the amount of detailed information some of the oldies contain—at least, not that many that I've come across.
Beautiful job! Makes me want to clean up my Wostenholm Celebrated. I really like how the scales cleaned up.
Ty, I think you'll be surprised how nice those old horn scales clean up! The scales on my IXL looked worn, dark, drab with many scuffs and areas of 'peeling' where the natural fibers began to loosen—MUCH worse than the condition of your scales in the photo above. After a good soak for several days in neats foot oil (the scales were removed first from the razor, but one can soak the whole razor & do no harm). I began hand-sanding the rough spots with 220grit wet/dry >320>400>600 until all of the peeling, scuffs and scratches were gone. At this point the horn's translucence was becoming evident. Polishing stages: 800>1000>1500>2000grit sandpaper. Final buffing with ChromOx on a buffing wheel (or one can use TurtleWax polishing compound by hand), and finally a good wax to finish. By the way, the sanding went very quickly as horn is quite soft. Much easier than working a blade.
On the blade, I'd start with a higher grit (600?) to see how it cleans up the dark spots. no sense going too low (85, 100) unless one has to. It just creates more work! Some of the metal polishes are slightly more abrasive (Mothers, for example) and really help remove the grunge and grime from old blades and tang. In fact, now that I look at the photo, try a polish first on the blade before going to the sandpaper and gauge the results. A little quality metal polish (Flitz, Mothers, Maas, Blue Magic) on the pins willl make them shine.
Thanks, Glen. Each one gets a bit easier and I learn a little more with each new victim…err…new razor.
If it were mine I think I may be tempted to send it for a regrind that's a big beast you don't say what size the razor is?
