Thread: my "new" straight... is it Usable?

Sounds like a dumb question maybe but I Just got my "new" E.R.N. crown and sword (nr 768 that is) I bought from the local ebay site..

I expected it to be little used and dull but its quite used and almost the sharpest knife I can find in this house (except the shavette and DE razors) it doesnt have any nicks. it is just a bit black/grey but with a more shiny edge.

There is only one downside and that is that the knife isn't quite straigt anymore.. it has a bit of a "smile" to it of I guess about half a mm.

If I get my hone and strop.. will I be able to make it usable?

and another question just out of curiousity... how old would this razor be?

Maarten

Well it's impossible to give you good answer without pictures, but I'd say that most likely it is.
I don't find anything wrong with smiles - in fact on many razors I like them. The smile will make it more challenging to hone though - if I were you I'll learn honing on a straight edge.

You need strop regardless of whether you'll hone it or not.

I agree with gugi, It is difficult to specify without photos. Provided there are no nicks or chips in the blade and the hone wear is not too dramatic, one would assume it could be made shave ready again. Razors with a "Smile" so to speak can make very comfortable shavers as they allow one to roll and scythe the blade at different angles as compared to a conventional straight edge. If it does not shave at present, I would speculate with some certainty that stropping alone will not bring back the keen edge you're looking for.

I'm not planning on using the razor until I get the hone and the strop.

Then I will just give it a go on the strop and test if its sharp enough for a shave.. If not I can touch it up on the hone, strop and shave..

But until that time I can work on my shaving technique with the shavette.

I'll see if I van make some descent pictures of the razor this evening..

Originally Posted by mlangstr

I'll see if I van make some descent pictures of the razor this evening..

It took a bit longer but here it is..

Maarten

Looks pretty darn straight to me, if anything looks more like a very slight frown, but that could be because you used a fabric backdrop for the pic...

BTW these razors are great shavers when tuned up...

A very slight frown indeed.

Is this the one that's coming my direction?
I'll fix it, in that case.

Yep.. thats the one.. I confused the smile with the frown...

When I got it it was pretty black but after some sanding it looks a lot better.

Maarten

Originally Posted by mlangstr

Yep.. thats the one.. I confused the smile with the frown...

I always tell my children that a frown is just an up side down smile...

But on a razor, a frown should be dealt with, because it will not hone up easily. As I understand you might want to practice honing on it later, it would be best straightening it out.

Bart.

Thanks Bart, I would realy appreciate it if you removed the frown (a frown does not match my character at all).. I think I'll buy another razor to practice honing on.. I love the ERN to much already. Today I received a package from Don with a shaveready Crown.. Boy that was fast.. I ordered the razor last tuesday! A barbershone shouls also be on its way to touch them up every once in a while..

I also got some sanding paper today to polish the ERN up a bit.. I think I'll send it to you next wednesday.

Maarten