Thread: straighten the edge?

I just acquired an old Wade & Butcher razor sight unseen for $5. While the razor is in good overall shape, the edge isn't straight. The toe is curved up and there is a small wave in the middle of the edge.

I feel the need to straighten the edge prior to sharpening it. Is this necessary? If so, what is the best approach?

Thanks,
Bill

Bill, I would recommend Ross Cutlery for a re-grind on the razor you are describing. These are really tough if you try to tackle them by hand. Good luck. Lynn

Lynn,

Thanks for the reply and suggestion. However, I am interested in trying to straighten the edge myself. I'm very comfortable with the honing process.

I can think of several waysto straighten the edge, but I'm looking for suggestions (what to do, what not to do, what to watch for, etc.) from folks who have done this in the past.

I see this as an opportunity to learn and to expand my skills.

Thanks again,
Bill

Originally Posted by adjustme69

Bill, I would recommend Ross Cutlery for a re-grind on the razor you are describing. These are really tough if you try to tackle them by hand. Good luck. Lynn

Wow! Those guys have been a fixture here in L.A. forever. I didn't know they were known in your parts Lynn.

Most will cringe when I tell you this.


You can fix the problem in a vice that has 3 inch jaws. You need three dowels. One for each end of the "bow", and another in the middle of the "high" side of the curvature on the opposite side of the blade. They only need to have pinpoint contact with the spine at those locations.

Use tape to hold the dowels in place on the blade as you lower it into the jaws of the vice. Make sure that only the spine is getting tweaked as you tighten the vice. You have to over correct the sway of the blade in the opposite direction, and then back off.

Remember, razors were produced in great quantity. Quality control only went so far for something that was not a huge investment. Heat treating such thin pieces of metal warped them sometimes. Even my knives that are much thicker at the edge have been affected by the heat process once in a while.

That's the way to straighten a blade. Without straightening the blade, you can hone it pretty straight, but you will see a wider cutting edge at the high points, and a thin one where the blade drifts away from true straight. It still is ok, but it can be unsightly.

Practice on an old blade first. It takes a little finesse. The other solution is Lynn's way of sending it off for a regrind. They may not say so, but they probably straighten it first too before they regrind it.

Hope that made sense...