The Kolibri Project
- Gunstock Jack
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The Kolibri Project
I don't know a thing about this razor, and the tang stamp helps only a little. No marks on pile side. I can't tell what the handle material is, but it may be early plastic? I'm considering a rebuild, but I don't know if I'd ruin any collector value. I think it'd look good wearing some ebony scales.
The wedge-less scale construction makes me think it's an older razor.
Whaddya think guys? Barry
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Re: The Kolibri Project
The scales appear to be horn rather than plastic.Look closely at them to see if you can see a straight grain to them.Horn is actually made up of coarse hair that is melded somehow to be hard.
I've never seen that mark before and it looks to be in good shape;what's to rebuild?
I've never seen that mark before and it looks to be in good shape;what's to rebuild?
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- Owd Wullie
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Re: The Kolibri Project
Blonde horn on the scales.
Unusual for a German razor.
I'm thinking it has been re-scaled as the pins don't match.
Soak 'em in mineral oil for a few days. Wet sand 'em with 2K wet or dry. Polish 'em out with MAAS or Mothers or the like.
From what I hear they are great shavers. Fix it up and run it.
Frederick Reynolds used that style of scale on a lot of their stuff. I've got an FR with pretty much the same scales. Looks like those were rounded off on front and appears the original pin was filed off.
Unusual for a German razor.
I'm thinking it has been re-scaled as the pins don't match.
Soak 'em in mineral oil for a few days. Wet sand 'em with 2K wet or dry. Polish 'em out with MAAS or Mothers or the like.
From what I hear they are great shavers. Fix it up and run it.
Frederick Reynolds used that style of scale on a lot of their stuff. I've got an FR with pretty much the same scales. Looks like those were rounded off on front and appears the original pin was filed off.
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- Gunstock Jack
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Re: The Kolibri Project
Thanks guys. Willie, I don't think it's been rehandled, but the lower pin has been replaced. Original pins and washers were of carbon steel or iron. The scales don't line up at the razor end and the pin is bent from someone trying to tighten it up a bit. I'm thinking of disassembling it, cleaning the scales, and replacing the pins/washers with something that won't rust. In the meantime, I'll try and put a bevel on it and get her honed up. Still don't know what the country of origin is.
Barry
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- Owd Wullie
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Re: The Kolibri Project
Right on. It's German. I was trying to track down the maker, but hit a bunch of dead ends.basser5 wrote:Kolibri is German for hummingbird
Tim
Fix her up Barry, it'll do good.
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- Gunstock Jack
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Re: The Kolibri Project
New handle material slabbed out, ready for cut-out and shaping.
Barry
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- Miller Bro's
- Gold Tier
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- Gunstock Jack
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Re: The Kolibri Project
Sure! Ebony. You don't get the scales wet, really. The wood will be waterproofed in some fashion though.
Barry
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- Owd Wullie
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Re: The Kolibri Project
Did you do the hot pin test on the old scales by chance?
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- Gunstock Jack
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Re: The Kolibri Project
I have not. How does it work?
Barry
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- Owd Wullie
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Re: The Kolibri Project
Heat up a paper clip or straight pin and touch it to a part of the backside of the scales. If it smells like burning hair, they're horn. If it smells like burning plastic, tehn they're plastic.
Member of The West Texas Chapter Of Gun Ownin', Pickup Truck Drivin', Jingoistic, Right Wing, History Changin', Huge Carbon Footprint Leavin' Conspirators.
- Gunstock Jack
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Re: The Kolibri Project
I had to try it three times, but by God Willie, it does smell like burning hair. For the life of me, I can't see any grain in the scales, only what looks like inclusions from disintegrating plastic. I'll try and clean them up a little more and check 'em with my most powerful magnifier.
I thought I may have been wrong before, but I was mistaken.
I thought I may have been wrong before, but I was mistaken.
Barry
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- Owd Wullie
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Re: The Kolibri Project
That "blonde" or "honey" horn is some very dense horn. It's fascinating how clear it can be.
See the pics of the Freddy R I posted above.
See the pics of the Freddy R I posted above.
Member of The West Texas Chapter Of Gun Ownin', Pickup Truck Drivin', Jingoistic, Right Wing, History Changin', Huge Carbon Footprint Leavin' Conspirators.
- Gunstock Jack
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Re: The Kolibri Project
Here it is all put back together:
Barry
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- Gunstock Jack
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Re: The Kolibri Project
I still have the wood, but decided to keep the razor as original as possible. The clear material was actually clear horn and not replaced with plastic. Now I'll have to find a cool old blade to use the ebony on!
Barry
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- Owd Wullie
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Re: The Kolibri Project
I thought so.
It turned out really nice.
Great job!
It turned out really nice.
Great job!
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