Thread: Mystery Bevel

This might take awhile so if you have something important to do.....I'll understand. In a land far far away....I pick up a W&B FBU with a wonky spine. I am sort of partial to even small bevels and this could not be done on this razor so I sent it out after some hand wringing about destroying a historical object and the craftsman reground the razor (a professional razor maker and restorer) and he returned the razor with a perfect bevel and a crocus finish on the blade. It shaved beautifully. Some time goes by and I decide that I want to have the razor polished and new scales installed (honey horn). The razor looks pretty awesome as it is unwrapped then I notice over time that the bevel is at the toe on one side only about 3 times the size of the bevel when it was sent to the 2nd restorer (another story). Plus the bevel varies in size from huge to nothing at the heel. I wrote and asked him why this may have happened and he questioned the ability of the person who reground the razor (which as I have said seemed to be perfect and the first guy also MAKES razors so I figure in the credibility department he has one up on the restorer). Then to ice the cake, I closed the razor today and the blade hit one side of the scale.
So the question: is there any rational reason how this could happen or is this just a cursed project from the beginning? I get the blade hitting the scale I think....the horn moved.

It's a Bill thing.....We would not be able to comprehend!

Seriously, too many unknowns. Sometimes, I suppose, it is best to leave well enough alone?

The irony of this story is that i am right back where I started when I found the razor in an antique store for something like $38.00.....only now I have a $238.00 piece of landfill......

Two different people honing means two different approaches, two different types of tape or with tape or without tape - as Tom said too many variables. The scales may have warped - you should be able to check that - or maybe the original re-grind could not totally get rid of a deformity and the original scales were fitted around that whereas the replacements were just not quite as well fitted.

Or as Tom said, 'leave well enough alone.'
You have to look pretty carefully to see the disappearing bevel in the last pic from toe to heel.

It looks like a beautiful razor to me,,,,,
If she shaves good,,,, that's a plus,,,,, if the shave sucks,,,,, then make a "display" out of her,,,, anyone admiring her in a display case won't be judging the bevel.

I kindof liked it cleaned up a bit in the second photo. Every time one is ground on, the geometry changes, IMO.

Whats become of the original black horn scales? WINK WINK
Send those Darry's way
Har

The guy that did the regrind filled in the bug bites on the scales and blacked them....no idea how....blacker than I did with neatsfoot oil. I asked him to keep the bullseye washers....he said he could not save the washers. So I got stepped washers. The I asked the second guy for stepped solid washers and without saying a word to me until the razor was delivered....he also used stacked washers and said he did not use the solid washers.He kept the scales or I would send them to you....in fact, I'll send you the razor if you have any use for it because right now it burns a hole in my eyes and gives me nightmares.

Originally Posted by Tarkus

Whats become of the original black horn scales? WINK WINK
Send those Darry's way
Har

Originally Posted by WW243

right now it burns a hole in my eyes and gives me nightmares.

That is unfortunate because it is still a very good razor. A lot of those big old W&Bs have minor flaws in them. It gives them character.

If it really does bother you as it is, you could sell it for a very good start on a pristine new razor.