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Wanting to get started in straight razor shaving, I recently got one as a gift. Well, I hadn't even used it before it was used to pry off the back of a watch to change the battery. Needless to say the watch won and there is now a little chip off the end of the razor.
Is it ok to use? Is it fixable? What do I do with it? I will try to add some worthwhile photos.
Looks like an easy re-grind job or some serious honing. Shame on you for abusing your razor!:nono:
Could we get a close up of the chip?
First off, get some precision flathead screwdrivers. The only time your razor should be used as a tool is on your face- but I'm sure you know that now:D
I would say contact a honemeister. I doubt your razor is shave ready anyway, and they'll be able to take care of it best. The razor isn't lost, it'll just mean a little money to get it back to normal. May I ask if the razor is even worth the trouble?
I never said I tried to use it to open the watch.
Is it worth the trouble? Honestly I wouldn't know. It was a gift. It is my first. I was going to try and get into straight razor shaving. I've never done it. I was going to try it out tomorrow or monday for the first time.
I'll work on close ups, I tried earlier but I could never get the camera to focus.
Well, let me put it another way. Was it a gift from someone important that would be hurt if you didn't try to shave with it? For instance, if my wife gave me a razor, I would do everything possible to shave with it, even if it was a Zeepk.
Are there any markings on it at all? Do you know where it was bought from? I can't tell from the pics, but it looks like one of the cheapo razors from a BudK catalog. Maybe if we can decide whether you'll ever be able to shave with it, you can decide whether or not to try to salvage it. :)
Looks like a Wapi to me.
If so definitely worth fixing & doesn't look a tough job.
It was purchased from thewellhonedrazor.com. It is a Wapencia (supposedly). It said shave ready. I think I recall the owner (or an employee, I forget it has been a while) mentioned on this board he had some. In some thread where the other guy (rupprazor?) said he was out.
It WAS a gift from my wife. Even though she was the one that chipped it, I may have to have a go.
Yup, send that baby out. It's definitely worth saving and will make a great shaver. Besides the fact that it's from SWMBO, it's a great piece of history too.:tu
I think you could just use some sandpaper to grind that smooth. I had a little hook on a robeson I bought and just sanded it back down no problem. Your chip may be worse but I bet it's not too hard to self fix.
Rupprazor = Kenrup on here you might actually send him a PM and ask if he has the time to fix that for you and re-tune up the edge,, He has a ton of experience with the Wapi brand...
Did it come withe that nick?
Al raz.
no, it did not come with that.
Thanks for the replies. I wouldn't trust myself to have a go at fixing it. I'll risk a shave with it and see about getting it fixed.
5 minutes with a dremel to make the toe round againm and then honing it.
This is relatively easy to fix.
that might be a little drastic. the tip can be redone on a coarse stone in just a few minutes with less potential for damage then the dremel. then it just needs a good honing.10 minutes for the repair and then just a regular honing... but talk to Kenrup I'm sure he will help you get it all straightened back upQuote:
Originally Posted by Bruno
If I were you I'd get it fixed and then shave with it. Since it's your first time out with a straight you're going to be contending with enough unknown variables without trying to allow for that damage. Wapiencas are great shavers but a nick like that is dangerous on anything. If you do decide to give it a go, proceed with extreme care.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wigpoppa
Quote:
Originally Posted by gssixgun
Yep, its fixable. It will be closer to a round point then a French point but it will still shave great.:rock:
I have an identical razor from the well honed razor, and its definitely worth fixing up. It makes a great starting razor. Also, you're lucky its only chipped in the toe, and not the heel, which happened to mine after a drop. I think if you wanted to, you could still shave with it, just be careful with the tip (which you should be anyways, shaving with a straight).
Actually, I'd say you were really lucky that more of it didn't break off.
I really appreciate the responses. I was going to send it out to be fixed, but I have noticed another possible issue. I believe the blade is very slightly bent, as you could imagine would be common with anything when it is being used to pry something open.
I felt something was amiss when I tried shaving with it and cut myself 2x with the end, but wrote it off as beginners syndrome. But the next time I went to strop it I noticed a slight line being formed on the leather on the end. At first I figured I did not have it flat, but sure enough after I made sure the technique was as correct as I could get it, that line was still showing up. I presume from being slightly turned down into the leather. Finally, I held it in the light and could see the light bend with the curves in the steel.
Is it still fixible with the bend? It is not noticeable with the naked eye (at least not mine), and like I said, only noticeable with the secondary symptoms.
Send that puppy off to a pro, tell them it’s OK to grind that nice little Wapi spike into a round. I know the chip would be gone, and I bet the warp/curve would be gone too. You’ll like your Wapi when you get it back.
Now work the shame and guilt angle, persuade the wife to get you a Citizen’s Eco Drive watch (perpetual light driven battery recharging) so she will NEVER have to worry about the Wapi on Watch abuse again. :w
I am not sure what do you mean by 'bent'.
Is the edge rolled? Or is the whole blade warped.
In the later case I very much doubt it was the innovative use that did it. Razors are hardened fairly stiff and don't really bend much - that'll cause it to just snap. But then again I think Wapienica are a bit softer, plus I've never tried to bend or straighten a razor.
Either case it's fine. Warping is the more serious problem but with the right honing technique it's fine.
Also if i read your post correctly you didn't buy it from Kenrup, but from thewellhonedrazor. Not that he can't fix it, but just pointing it out.