Restoration of a WWII Desk Tool – 1940s Forgotten Machine Fully Restored
Restoration of a WWII Desk Tool – 1940s Forgotten Machine Fully Restored
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I bought this pencil sharpener at a flea market. Forgotten, rusted, and incomplete, it stood as a silent reminder of a time when even the smallest tools were built to last. In this video, I take you through the full restoration process — from frozen mechanism to functional beauty.
🧰 About the Object
This Cesky pencil sharpener was manufactured in the 1940s in Prague by Sellier & Bellot, a company better known today for ammunition, but which also produced high-quality mechanical tools at the time. Likely inspired by early 20th-century German designs such as the Jupiter, this sharpener features a heavy metal body, a mechanical sharpening unit, and a now-rare ebonite handle.
Unfortunately, time had taken its toll: the mechanism was seized, the original shavings box was missing, and years of corrosion and dust covered every surface.
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🔧 Restoration Process (Step-by-Step)
Assessment
I began by identifying all the damaged or missing parts — including a seized mechanism, a freely spinning handle, and a missing shavings box.
Disassembly
I carefully dismantled the entire sharpener. The most delicate step was removing the brittle ebonite handle, which I extracted slowly to avoid cracks or damage.
Abrasive Blasting
Once disassembled, I sandblasted the metal parts to remove rust, paint, and decades of grime, preparing them for refinishing.
Polishing & Surface Correction
I polished key areas and removed casting marks to improve both appearance and precision without losing authenticity.
Degreasing & Electrostatic Painting
After cleaning, the metal parts were degreased with isopropyl alcohol and then powder coated using electrostatic painting to ensure a durable, even finish.
Wood Base Restoration
The original wooden base had character worth preserving. I restored its surface while keeping its patina and structural integrity intact.
Fabricating the Shavings Box
Since the original was missing, I handcrafted a new shavings container, designed to match the original’s size and style as closely as possible.
Main Unit Cleaning
The heart of the sharpener — the internal cutter mechanism — required detailed cleaning to remove embedded dust and corrosion without damaging its function.
Small Parts Cleaning
I cleaned small components using a homemade tumbling method, placing them in a jar with sand and aluminum oxide and gently rotating to remove surface rust.
Cold Bluing
For the bare steel parts, I applied cold bluing — a traditional method that both protects and enhances the visual tone of the metal.
Reassembly
With everything restored, I carefully reassembled the sharpener. The mechanism moved freely, and the handle now engaged smoothly.
Final Test
The last step was a satisfying one: sharpening a pencil — smoothly, effortlessly, just as this tool was meant to do 80 years ago.
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If you enjoyed watching this Pencil Sharpener Restoration, don’t forget to check out my other vintage restorations:
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