Thread: cracked blade safe for use?

I'm so bummed. I had picked up an old Jos. Elliot of the bay (C + C so old Jos. Elliot). The description listed as a shave ready blade with nondescript bakelite scales. So, with the chance to grab it for ~$15, I figured it would make a good second starter blade to use just to have a basis of comparison for the Old Manhattan wedge I'd also picked up... and to have something cheap to practice stropping, and eventually honing, on.

Well, upon receiving it I became rather elated when I discovered the scales were actually horn, not bakelite and - other than a bit of a chip on one at the butt end and a very small bug bit on the inside - in very good condition. Just a bit dull and in need of a little straightening and a polish. 'Awesome', I though - perfect for a first restoration.

Well, one week and two practice shaves (one cheek only) later, I noticed a perpendicular hairline crack running from the blade edge in about 3/16".
So now I'm down and out over the fact that I might not only be out a restoration candidate - but also a practice blade...

I think I'm going to go ahead and restore the scales (good practice and never know, may have another chance to use them in the future).

My question is: how safe - or unsafe - would it be to continue using to shave with such a crack present?

If you look just below the right-hand foot of the 'W' you'll see the crack.

A few notes:

A. Not safe. Sorry.

B. Those are NOT original scales.... see the weird, irregular pinning job? Not consistent with the pins that would go on horn-vintage scales

C. That's a relatively young Elliot, actually.

D. You said it was billed as "Shave Ready", but was dull? That right there is a "Not as described" in my ebay book.... would have been good to do a closer inspection on arrival.

Anyhow, it *is* possible to cut blades down and make little trimming razors and such... but it isn't a good idea to use one with a crack in it.

Yeah, I would put that one in the 'don't use it' pile...too bade really. We've all read of blades snapping like twigs even under basic stress of light sanding. Imagine what would happen if you were in the middle of a stroke and the blade snapped...not pretty.

Originally Posted by BKratchmer

A few notes:

A. Not safe. Sorry.

Bummer.

B. Those are NOT original scales.... see the weird, irregular pinning job? Not consistent with the pins that would go on horn-vintage scales

C. That's a relatively young Elliot, actually.

Hmmm... I thought the C + reversed C insignia designated Elliot blades from 1821-1854. So, while I realized the pins had been redone at some point, I was running with the thought that the horn scales and lead wedge (at least I think it's lead (or pewter) - it's soft enough to scratch with my fingernail) had a pretty fair chance of being original. I guess I misread something somewhere it the bit of research I'd done.

D. You said it was billed as "Shave Ready", but was dull? That right there is a "Not as described" in my ebay book.... would have been good to do a closer inspection on arrival.

Sorry, guess I wasn't quite clear in my description. It was sharp and shave ready - cut the hairs on my forearm with it right after pulling it out of the package. Seeing as how I only dropped about $15 on it, I was going to use it to learn honing when it became dull... at least that was the plan until I realized the scales were horn, not bakelite as was listed in its eBay desc. That's when I started to toy with the idea of making it my first restoration attempt instead of just using it as an all-around practice blade for stropping and honing.

Oh well, guess I'll save the scales and use 'em to start a parts bin and just scrap the blade.

Thanks for the feedback guys, I really appreciate it.

Does anyone actually know of a situation where a blade has cracked while shaving ?
It just seems a little improbable but that doesn't mean it hadn't happened..

I'd shave with it to find out. For example, chips can be ugly on blades and yet not affect shaving.

Dont use it for shaving, sooner or later it will cut you.

Ok. I just discovered a crack in my blade I, thought it was there when I got it but for some reason my new pasted Strop really brought it out...

Bacteria will accumulate in the crack for one thing. If you do cut yourself at the crack it may transfer to the wound. As a rule a cracked blade is no good for shaving unless it can be fixed and usually that is not worth the $ if it is at all possible.

I also agree, do not use it with a crack. Ill also second that bacteria can and will formulate in that crack. You don't want to introduce those little buggers into a nice fresh cut. It could of cracked when you introduced it to the strop...