Thread: The "Artist" in Paduak (My first restoration)

I found this at an antique store. It is The "Artist" Levering Razor Hamburg Ground Germany. The scales are paduak and the wedge is poplar with a CA finish.

I had an issue with the blade centering in the scales but finally tracked it down to the wedge needing more attention. Pining was a lot easier than I was expecting it to be.

All in all there are a few things that I would do different but for my first time I am happy with the results.

Nice job. I like the contrast of the poplar against the darker Paduak. The "barber's notch" on the scales was a nice touch too. Congrats on completing your first restoration.

I like the contrast of your wood choices. How was the padauk to work?

Something to think about; When you make your wedge, cut it out, get it all contoured to the scales, then lay it flat on a file and run it down the file a few [several] times on each side, thereby completely flattening each side. It will eliminate the gap you see at the bottom of your wedge end. I didn't come up with it, but it works great.

Also, to add:
Good job on actually making a wedge vs a spacer. It's kind of important.

Great work for your first! Turned out very nice

Great job Marc! Looks good. Keep em comming.

Great job .... much better than MY first try. As you do more scales, it will get easier and your finished product will keep getting better.
Looking forward to more posts.

Thank you everyone! Keep the suggestions on how I can improve coming.

Originally Posted by medicevans

...How was the padauk to work?... When you make your wedge, cut it out, get it all contoured to the scales, then lay it flat on a file and run it down the file a few [several] times on each side, thereby completely flattening each side.

The paduak was nice to work with. It sanded up nice and easy and had minimal tear out as I was roughing the shape in with a coping saw. FYI, paduak does cause respiratory irritation so a dust mask is a must when working with it. Also it is like cocobolo when putting a finish on it. That is why I did a CA an not an oil base finish like tung oil.

The wedge is what gave me a real headache and ultimately helped to fix my issue of the blade not centering. I was using a sanding block but I found it hard to keep the pressure even and not round off the points on the "barbers notch". I will give the file a try on my next one and now that I know what a wedge that works feels like in my hands I won't have to work with such a small piece of wood.

The next wedge I make, I'm going to try a piece of carpet tape and stick the wedge to my finger with it while I run it on the file. Just throwing that out there.

Nice work. You did a great job?