Thread: Cracked the blade...Arg!

Hi all, I recently obtained a Challenge Cutlery nice 6/8 straight, Extra Hollow Ground, with a scoop for comfortable finger placement when shaving. It did have a chip in the heel to hone out, but I've done that before, so it didn't seem to be a big deal. I polished it with Flitz to a nice shine. The chip was significant enough to require a 1000 grit stone (I use Norton). I took it out after about 10-15 minutes on the 1000. Then I began to establish a new bevel with my 4000/8000 combo. After I checked under a microscope for bevel evenness, I started a less aggressive pyramid. It was going fine until about an hour in, the damn blade cracked!! This is the first time this has happened to me. I don't think I was using too much pressure, since I was still establishing a sharp edge, but evidently I was. Oh well, these things happen, right? But I'm willing to hear a different diagnosis. Anyone think this was poor technique on my part?
Best,
Mark

Probably a weak spot in the blade that finally gave way.

Oh yea, no way you've used as much pressure on the blade as I have on some of mine. Just a weak spot. Ahhh, the mistakes I've made!

The only way I have ever cracked a blade was when b uffing it with a Dremel, holding it with my left hand, tip on the work bench and pressing hard with the Dremel in my right hand( got carried away)

Yea the only time I ever cracked a blade was with a dremmel also. Luckily it was a an Eboy special junk razor. My hand slipped and I just touched the edge and not only did it crack but about a one inch piece became airborne. Always always use eye protection when using a dremmel that piece bounced off my goggles. If I hadn't been wearing them I'd probably be minus an eye now.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Yea the only time I ever cracked a blade was with a dremmel also. Luckily it was a an Eboy special junk razor. My hand slipped and I just touched the edge and not only did it crack but about a one inch piece became airborne. Always always use eye protection when using a dremmel that piece bounced off my goggles. If I hadn't been wearing them I'd probably be minus an eye now.

I use a dremmel too and you just described my biggest fear there

The very first time I was using a Dremmel on a straight I was polishing a blade with a medium felt pade and as I came close to the edge a tiny piece of the felt shot off the pad. I was wearing eyeglasses and an optivisor over them so I thought I was safe but somehow that felt hit my eye and was imbedded there for days before it worked itself out with no lasting effects. From that day on I wear goggles and the next time it happened I was very glad I was wearing them.