Thread: Edge problem?

I just got my first straight off eBay. Everything looks great except for a few rust spots. Got looking at the edge and there is a small, maybe 1mm, tear in the edge. Can this be honed out? I tried taking pictures, but the tear is so small it isn't noticeable. Its about 1/2" in from the heel.

The razor is a J.R. Torrey Co. Razor. I was thinking that it could probably be honed out on a 1000 grit hone then finished on the 4k/8k Norton and stropped from there. Think this will work? I would rather send it out to be done right.

Thanks all.

Revs

Assuming it is just 1mm, I'm sure it can be. Contact some of the honing/restoration gurus here: Member Services - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

They can likely help you with taking pics too

I have emailed a guru of restoration. Gssixgun. He is the closest to me. I sent him the pics, but I could barely see the tear and I knew where it was. lol. I guess I could try to put it on a different background and see of a different color helps.

Thank you.

i'll wager it will hone out just fine.
Glen is a good man forthe task as well.

I’ve had a few Ebay specials that are just like you describe. If there is one tear there are probably more, the steel is starting to break down. The more you tune into your razor(s) the more you will see. Usually I have been able to grind off the whole edge far enough that the fatigued steel is eliminated along the entire edge, getting into new steel that is thicker and hopefully not breaking down. Then regrind a bevel, go thru the whole sharpening and honing process. If you are doing all this you have a perfect chance to even out blade width between heel and toe, get rid of smiles and frowns, etc. Yes, you lose some blade width, but the blade was history when you started and chances are good that you breathed new life into a perfectly serviceable razor. Do any rust removal before performing the above. Collector value was gone when the razor got into the condition discussed, but I want them to shave with, not just to ogle.. I love getting a high end blade cheap, then eventually getting the high end shave experience I could not have afforded in a pristine specimen. You get burned occasionally, but the outcome is good much more often.

A tear? You'll need to joint or "breadknife" the edge to get back to good steel. It sounds too big to hone out. The Torrey blades were made in Worcester, MA and are good solid razors. Good steel and simple sturdy handles. If you can get a good pic of the tear, send it to me and I'll let you know what I'd charge for restoring the blade and honing it out to 30000 grit.

Waiting to hear back from gssixgun. I figure with the holidays it may take a few days. I think I may be able to get the bevel far enough back to get rid of the tear. I have wet/dry sandpaper and a piece of plate glass. Starting at around 300 grit and slowly progressing to 800 should set my bevel and remove the tear. Take my time and go slowly. But, I don't have a hone or strop to get the final edge on it. I guess I could always just keep with the plate glass and sandpaper. Get some 1000 grit through 8000 grit.

Question on a strop: I have a length of leather, oak tanned, can I just cut a length 2" wide and 18"-20" long and put a handle a way to hang it and be okay? Or does it need some kind of treatment? Thinking at least it would need some neatsfoot to soften it up a bit.

Oh, I tried taking a photo of the scratch, Howard, and my camera won't focus close enough to get a clear shot. The tear is that small. I only noticed it when I ran a finger and thumb down both sides of the blade at the same time. When I felt it, I got out a small magnifying glass and looked at it. Used a digital caliper to measure as good as it would. When you run a fingernail along the side of the edge, it will catch a bit on the tear.

If what you are calling a tear is a chip and not a crack running up into the steel then you can hone it out. Especially if it is small enough that you need magnification to see it. I think that you would be well served sending it to Glenn.