Thread: When the toe is overhoned.

Tried searching for this topic, but finally gave up.

I picked up a Dubl Duck Special No. 1 (Pearlduck, Reg. U.S. Pat. Off.)that has a problem with the tip of toe being honed a lot more than the rest of the blade. In hindsight I should have passed on it, but now that I have it I might as well learn how to save it.

The spine thickness is .185" for most of the blade but in the last 1/4" it narrows to 0.160 and the blade width narrows from 0.670" to around 0.600"

I'm considering taking my die grinder and turning it into a round point just to get rid of the unusable toe end. I just don't think it's worth the effort of trying to grind down the spine and blade. In fact, I don't know if the later would be the best way to restore the original blade profile.

All opinions are welcome.

I dunno about for everyone else, but pictures would be helpful for me.

Yeah, picture allways tells it better.

I think if it was mine I would just hone it and use it. Thats a very commom thing with vintage razors. It should still shave fine without major work.

I was actually just about to post the same question when I found this thread. I have a similar problem with a dubl duck satin wedge I just picked up. The toe width is about 14-15mm and the heel is 17-18mm! I didn't measure the spine width, but I am curious to know what anyone can advise as well. It just so happens that mine apparently has a pretty sharp edge already, but I dislike the inconsistency in size.

I will say that I saw a YouTube video where a guy evened out the blade width by using a belt sander that looked like a wheel grinder. I was under the impression that such methods are not advised, but razors are originally ground using similar methods to begin with (from what I understand). After the heel is ground down and evened out, the guy said you just slow the grinder speed and angle the razor as if the sander were a hone. In my opion, this would really wear the spine out, and electrical tape would just burn off, but I'm no expert. I'm a little worried about making the blade too small, especially since mine is a wedge.

Great question Villalobos! I hope we can get some encouraging responses.

Originally Posted by papasote

I was actually just about to post the same question when I found this thread. I have a similar problem with a dubl duck satin wedge I just picked up. The toe width is about 14-15mm and the heel is 17-18mm! I didn't measure the spine width, but I am curious to know what anyone can advise as well. It just so happens that mine apparently has a pretty sharp edge already, but I dislike the inconsistency in size.

I will say that I saw a YouTube video where a guy evened out the blade width by using a belt sander that looked like a wheel grinder. I was under the impression that such methods are not advised, but razors are originally ground using similar methods to begin with (from what I understand). After the heel is ground down and evened out, the guy said you just slow the grinder speed and angle the razor as if the sander were a hone. In my opion, this would really wear the spine out, and electrical tape would just burn off, but I'm no expert. I'm a little worried about making the blade too small, especially since mine is a wedge.

Great question Villalobos! I hope we can get some encouraging responses.

I have done this but then I have been a knife maker for over thirty years. I do not reomend it unless you really really have the touch. If you get agressive the razor could break or grab and cut you bad, not to mention destroying your razor. Also you are very likely to get that thin edge too hot. It will heat up in a second. You have to just touch it a little at a time on a very fine almost worn out belt. Very dangerous. I wear a face shield, heavy gloves, and a leather apron. It is hard to do unless you are used to the gloves to get the light touch. Very dangerous. Mack

go head hone it. you shouldn't have a big problem .use circular motion,or half moon strokes, last but complicated one will be using tape.
hope this helps

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I think if it was mine I would just hone it and use it. Thats a very commom thing with vintage razors. It should still shave fine without major work.

+1, nothing wrong with that IMO.

These can be fixed, I honestly can't even begin to explain it on the Internet, I could show you... Lynn & Max could show you, Alex could show you Traveler, Spazola & Seraphim could too, and I am sure a few more could...

One thing to always remember though, every single type of fix we can do only removes metal... So you have to really look at the profile of the blade and visualize whether there is enough steel to make it happen....

However the best advice so far, is hone it, shave and be happy...Unless you have the tools and the experiance, you can like Mack said either wreck a razor or yourself...

And that isn't very bad, to boot. I think when we talk about an 'overhoned toe'... well, it's bad. I have razors that probably have a 15 degree or more variance from 90 at both ends, tapering to the toe... THAT is overhoned.

I use them to open boxes. YOURS however, should be just fine.