Thread: Diagnosing a warped blade

Hi all. I'm a few months into sr shaving and am now doing so with razors I've honed. Getting some mixed results...much in line with other newbie posts. Of course, getting great satisfaction from it all.

But here's my question: On one of my ebay purchases the toe of the blade doesnt ride snuggly on the hone as does the rest of the blade. I can see a slight gap and can observe where the water is and is not moved down the hone by the blade. This is more noticable when honing one of the sides. I think this must be a warped blade. To compensate, I use a narrower hone and lift slightly and lightly on my x pattern when at the toe. I think that in this way I am sharpening the length of the blade, and I am getting a decent shave.

I dont think I've seen an example here of what a warped blade looks like. Am I anywhere near correct in diagnosing, compensating on the hone, or in anything else?

Best,
Jim

you can also do quick strokes just on the toe. Like five quick, short toe only stokes on your forehand stroke, then turn it around and do five quick short toe only strokes on your backhand stroke. I think those are called "professional strokes" in one of the barber manuals in the wiki.

Originally Posted by jleeg

Hi all. I'm a few months into sr shaving and am now doing so with razors I've honed. Getting some mixed results...much in line with other newbie posts. Of course, getting great satisfaction from it all.

But here's my question: On one of my ebay purchases the toe of the blade doesnt ride snuggly on the hone as does the rest of the blade. I can see a slight gap and can observe where the water is and is not moved down the hone by the blade. This is more noticable when honing one of the sides. I think this must be a warped blade. To compensate, I use a narrower hone and lift slightly and lightly on my x pattern when at the toe. I think that in this way I am sharpening the length of the blade, and I am getting a decent shave.

I dont think I've seen an example here of what a warped blade looks like. Am I anywhere near correct in diagnosing, compensating on the hone, or in anything else?

Best,
Jim

It sounds like you are exactly correct in both your diagnosis and honing. As far as finding an example of a warped blade, I think it might be easier to find one that is not warped to some extent.

I find it is quite comon i have differant width hones i find 2 inch wide is my favourite for getting blades that ride on hone perfect i generaly use a rolling x stroke works every time