Hadn't seen this anywhere before

[PalmettoB]

In trying to get a coupla antique store specials to the point where I can really tell what the blades look like (I'm mainly going after light rust spots and much tarnish), I discovered something I had been using to clean up an old hunting rifle..."0000" steel wool.

With some MAAS polish and some elbow grease you can go after mirror polished blades with confidence. I have a Dremel tool, but it isn't adjustable speed, and I have been afraid of gouging blades too deeply using the mechanical stuff. Regular cotton cloths and MAAS weren't quite getting it, either, especially where there was some deep staining.

I was using it lightly soaked in oil to clean the barrel of an old Winchester rifle, but I just use it dry with MAAS for the razors. You can get this stuff at Wal-Mart or any paint/hardware store, and you can also use it with mineral oil. Give it a shot! :cool:

[moviemaniac]

sounds like a great idea, Blair! :)

[xChris]

Definitely sounds like a great option for the restoration of older straights -- thanks for sharing it!

[qhsdoitall]

Thanks for tip. Would be good for tool cleanup too.

[Bronco]

Good idea, I'll have to give it a shot. I gave up the Dremel after a near disaster.

Signed,

Stubby:ashamed001

[Bill]

In trying to get a coupla antique store specials to the point where I can really tell what the blades look like (I'm mainly going after light rust spots and much tarnish), I discovered something I had been using to clean up an old hunting rifle..."0000" steel wool.

With some MAAS polish and some elbow grease you can go after mirror polished blades with confidence. I have a Dremel tool, but it isn't adjustable speed, and I have been afraid of gouging blades too deeply using the mechanical stuff. Regular cotton cloths and MAAS weren't quite getting it, either, especially where there was some deep staining.

I was using it lightly soaked in oil to clean the barrel of an old Winchester rifle, but I just use it dry with MAAS for the razors. You can get this stuff at Wal-Mart or any paint/hardware store, and you can also use it with mineral oil. Give it a shot! :cool:
The steel wool works pretty good for general cleaning. The only problem with it is that most guys use it in a scrubbing motion that runs parallel to the cutting edge. That means you wind up with scratch marks running down the length of the blade. Razors were ground perpendicular to that and the faint lines of the grinding wheels always ran at a 90 degree angle to the cutting edge. All but the very very best razors have these obvious lines.

Unless you take the time to use the steel wool in the same direction as the original grind marks, you will wind up with a visable "plaid" pattern on the blade. You wouldn't harm the integrity of the razor or the shave, but it will be visibly out of tune, so to speak.

Sorry to see that the rotary tool is not a friend to some of you. You may be using the wrong attachments. Or... you may not be in possession of my cd on how to do the work. :)

Here are a couple of things that you can use. The first attachment is called a "fiber wheel". They come in coarse and fine textures. The second pic shows one of my favorite attachments... the radial bristle disc. These can run about a buck apiece, but they last a long time and are worth the cost. Both can be found at www.riogrande.com (http://www.riogrande.com). You may have to jump through a few hoops to sign up with them, but it's worth it if you love tools and such. When they ask if you are a jeweler, say that you restore razors.

If you don't want to do that, there is eBay, of course, and hobby stores on line. Search around. Only occasionally have I seen the fiber wheels in hardware stores. Maybe others can chime in here. The green fiber wheels are light weight and flimsy, so only get a few to decide if you like them. I like the brown and the grey ones the most.

Avoid the sanding drums for blades. Using these takes a little different approach and often results in less than desireable results.


http://home.comcast.net/~cherylellis01/forums/fiber.wheels.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~cherylellis01/forums/radial.bristle.discs.jpg


I often use 3 or 4 of thes radials on one mandrel to give a better finish. Want to know more? Go here (http://www.billysblades.com/Straight%20Razor%20Book.htm).

You can always get one of these in a 6-inch diameter for your buffer, as well. Now were talkin'... ::kar