Blade Chipping??

After shaving this morning I noticed a couple of chips have come off the edge of the blade. I am sure this is a result from stropping or maybe even slightly hitting the edge of the blade. These chips are very small but can be seen to the unaided naked eye. However, the shave seemed just fine! My main question is, is this a time to send the blade out to have it resharpened or should I keep on shaving with it as long it feels fine? This blade was sharpened approximately 2.5 months ago and gets used just about every day. I am not sure exactly sure when this happened.

Its unlikely the act of stropping caused the chips but you may have dinked the edge on a tap or on the metal hardware on the strop.

I'm surprised you're not noticing the chips I must admit! I shaved with a chipped razor once and it was like scraping a pin down my face.

If you can see there are chips I would say definitely have the razor honed. Its only a matter of time before you get sliced by them!

If funds are tight I'm happy to hone the razor for you for the cost of postage. Just drop me a PM and let me know! :)

Which one of your razors is this...

2-3 months ain't bad either way, you also have to remember just plain ole shaving dings up the edge somewhat, and then you correct with the strop(s) when the strop isn't enough, then you start with the touch ups or a complete rehone...

Not discounting the stropping damage or the banging the sink damage but tiny little chips all along the edge is most likely just shaving.... :)

Where abouts are the chips located. If they are up at the toe end of the blade you may be catching the blade on the scales when closing the razor. This is something that I did when I first started, but as I really didnt shave with the tip of the blade it took me a while to notice.
Grant

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Originally Posted by Stubear

Its unlikely the act of stropping caused the chips but you may have dinked the edge on a tap or on the metal hardware on the strop.

I'm surprised you're not noticing the chips I must admit! I shaved with a chipped razor once and it was like scraping a pin down my face.

If you can see there are chips I would say definitely have the razor honed. Its only a matter of time before you get sliced by them!

If funds are tight I'm happy to hone the razor for you for the cost of postage. Just drop me a PM and let me know! :)

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Thanks for the offer to hone the razor free of cost, that's awesome. However, I am lucky enough to have one free resharpen from SRD. I really appreciate that offer though.

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Originally Posted by gssixgun

Which one of your razors is this...

2-3 months ain't bad either way, you also have to remember just plain ole shaving dings up the edge somewhat, and then you correct with the strop(s) when the strop isn't enough, then you start with the touch ups or a complete rehone...

Not discounting the stropping damage or the banging the sink damage but tiny little chips all along the edge is most likely just shaving.... :)

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It's on a kamisori that I purchased from SRD, I really love using it, it's my favorite razor so far. It took me awhile to get used to it though.

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Originally Posted by baldy

Where abouts are the chips located. If they are up at the toe end of the blade you may be catching the blade on the scales when closing the razor. This is something that I did when I first started, but as I really didnt shave with the tip of the blade it took me a while to notice.
Grant

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It's on a kamisori straight located on the heel of the blade.

Just a thought. If any of the chipping is from stropping you are stropping way too heavily.

Shaving for 2-3 months with a razor can cause chips that that are visible to the naked eye? That is interesting.

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Originally Posted by lincoln233

Thanks for the offer to hone the razor free with of cost, that's awesome. However, I am lucky enough to have one free resharpen from SRD. I really appreciate that offer though.

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Contact Lynn and Don and discuss it with them. They are great guys to work with... :beer1:

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Originally Posted by OGlenn

Shaving for 2-3 months with a razor can cause chips that that are visible to the naked eye? That is interesting.

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Any blade that is used repeatedly over time will break down. That's what happens when it gets dull. How long that takes depends on the cutting medium, the individual blade, and the individual using the blade.

The Bengall I'm currently has a couple chips in it that I don't worry too much about. I sharpened it to a satisfactory edge, and got them down quite a bit, then decided to not worry about them until they give problems. I figure that if it's doing it's job, then why waste the steel. I'll do the same with my pocket knives.

In regards to shaving and not knives, I understand the edge will wear down over time, but I never thought the wear from shaving alone would get to the point you can actually see chips. I can feel the dullness long before I can see it and would do something about it like honing it, but that's just me. I've never seen a blade of mine chip from shaving, but I'm learning it is possible.

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Originally Posted by OGlenn

In regards to shaving and not knives, I understand the edge will wear down over time, but I never thought the wear from shaving alone would get to the point you can actually see chips. I can feel the dullness long before I can see it and would do something about it like honing it, but that's just me. I've never seen a blade of mine chip from shaving, but I'm learning it is possible.

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Yeah, I don't know what it takes to chip a razor edge from shaving. I would just imagine that it is eventually possible if the edge is neglected.

Here's what I use.

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/9...lfullsmall.jpg

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

closeup of the chip.
http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/6...lchipsmall.jpg

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

It is also possible that Bengall had a micro pit at the edge due to rust & it has chipped there for whatever reason. Shaving stropping, honing can all do it.
Here's an example

The ultimate test to see the shavability of a blade is the shave test. If you are still comfortably shaving with your blade I would be in no hurry to send it out. This is not to say your blade is in good condition, I am saying it is in good enough condition.

You are probably like me and not oversensitive to dulling blades. I keep a disposible razor in my car and dry shave at the red lights. I think my face skin should be refered to as leather or human hide.

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Originally Posted by onimaru55

It is also possible that Bengall had a micro pit at the edge due to rust & it has chipped there for whatever reason. Shaving stropping, honing can all do it.
Here's an example

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I suppose (didn't intend to hijack the thread). It was pretty clean when I got it. Bad pic, but it does mirror shine. I don't think the antique dealer cleaned it up, and figured it was just taken well care of.

IMHO....If you have a chip of any size always have it re honed, if you are not good at honing and it's dull...have it re honed. If ever in doubt,don't take shortcuts...unless yer into blade abuse and spending extra money to buy new blades. It's yer baby,treat her well and she will do the same.Nuff Said :D:medvl: Or as my Awesome Stepfather(RIP) used to say...let your conscience be your guide.

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Originally Posted by ghostrider

closeup of the chip.
http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/6...lchipsmall.jpg

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

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That's a bit too big to be caused by hairs imho. I would definitely send it off to be hones, especially if you still have the free honing certificate from SRD, or Stubear's generous offer.

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Originally Posted by markevens

That's a bit too big to be caused by hairs imho. I would definitely send it off to be hones, especially if you still have the free honing certificate from SRD, or Stubear's generous offer.

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Thanks but it isn't necessary. It shaves fine. No burn, and it's actually fun to shave with.

ETA:
And yes, it was much bigger before honing. I wouldn't have needed macro to shoot it before.