Thread: Henkel #50 with a new set of clothes

Hey guys this is my first razor restore. I am satisfied with how it turned out. I did learn a lot as far procedure goes. I ended up doing a bit of backtracking and found out it is better to do certain things before you do others. The next one will go much quicker.

I got this as an ebay find. I think I paid $12 for it if I remember right. Had a little rust on the blade and some pitting that was giving it that orange peel surface here and there. I took most of that out. I did end up leaving a hair bit because I was concerned with removing too much steel and harming the structural integrity of the blade by making places that were too thin. The good thing is that the blade looked as if is had only been honed a few times. It had almost no hone wear.

I am a bit disappointed in my photos. I took these in heavy wind and by li9ght box kept getting turned over and moving. Anyway, The koa looks tens time better in real life and has twice the stripes that you can see in the photos. It also has a great chetoyance that makes the stripes dance in the light. Of course that doesn't show up in my photos.

I am looking forward to honing this one up and trying it out. I really like the sleek elegant looks of these little 4/8 blades.

Specs.
-Henkels Twin works #50 blade
-Hand rubbed finish was taken down to 8000 micromesh and then hand rubbed with semichrome to a nice glowing luster.
-Blade centers very nicely
-Scales are stabilized curly koa with brass liners
-Three pin scales with mosaic pin in the tail end. The third pin has a bushing around it that acts as a positive stop for both razor shank and the scale spread. The blade shank rest on the pin bushing and barely touches the scale liners at the toe.
-Preban elephant ivory wedge
-The blade is also fitted with a brass bushing
-Spacer washer were lapped down to .007" made from sheet stock
-The compression washers were .015" thick made from 1/16 id x 3/32 od brass tubing tubing. The pins were peen blended into the washers. As as soon as I can make me a doming punch the appropriate size I will spin those pivot pin heads to make them more domed.

Feedback is welcome. I have been making knives all my life but razors are a new animal for me and I am still trying to learn. If you have suggestions on how I cna make the next one better I will hear you out.

Thanks,

Ray

That is some mighty fine work. Very well done. I also own a Henckels 50 and it's amongst my top shavers.

Very nice. I don't think Henkels could have done any better.

Those scales are beautiful. Definitely doesn't look like a first restore!

Out of curiosity, where did you get the elaborate scale pins? ...I think those are called the scale pin, I'm still new to this!

Those are called Mosaic pins. You can get them from a lot of the knifemakers supply places like Texas Knifemakers Supply and Jantz Knife Supply. They usually come in 12" lengths and various diameters.

Ray

Youv'e done a super job on that razor, make no mistake, and being a fan of the smaller razor as I am, i'm loving that perfectly formed little 4/8. great work very well done indeed. PS you can certainly tell that you are a knife maker after looking at your work, there's some amazing knife makers out there, it's such a pity they dont give over a small percentage of their time to making straight razors, because i'm convinced they would blow most of the competition out of the water. Just think of a William Henry razor dressed with some of the materials his knives are made of, or maybe a Chris Reeves 6/8 in S30V, I want one.

Regards Jamie.

Thanks Jamie,

I actually have talked David Broadwell into making me a razor. David is one of the most creative and talented knife makers in this country. His work is very imaginative, has great lines and is perfectly executed. I can't wait to see what he comes up with for me.

If your not familiar with David's work you should check out his website. Broadwell Studios
This guy does some amazing work and using a razor from David would be like running a literal work of art down your face in the morning.

Ray

Well Ray you must post a few photo's when that razor finally comes your way, very much look forward to seeing the razor, any idea when she will be finished?

Regards Jamie

With David its hard to tell. He has a pretty good backlog. We worked out a trade. I'm going to engrave some parts for his motorcycle and he's making me the razor. It will probably be next year sometime before its all done but you can be sure I'll post the pics to show it off.

I did shave with the Henkel 50 this morning. Its now tied with my Robeson Suredge for my favorite razor. I do liek the narrow blade. I think Iw ill have to hunt down a few more little 4/8 blades to play with.

Ray