Thread: How much damage is too much

So I bought a razor on e-bay with a couple of small nicks out of the edge toward the heel. The blade is also really dull (as in I could carve wood with it, but not much beyond that). Other than some spots here and there, the blade is in excellent condition.

My question is, and I will try to post some closeups this weekend, is it worth trying to fix, and since I'm lacking the equipment and skills what would getting it sharpened up run (Lynn, this is mostly aimed at you, I guess)?

The pics would help. Small nick on an axe and a razor are different beasts.

On a razor a small nick in my opinion is about 1 to 5/1000" both visible to the naked eye, if you know how to look.

10 to 20/1000" is a medium nick that will take some honing.

50/1000" is a tiny chunk out of the edge and honing it out will effectively create a whole new bevel.

That said, I would categorize up to 1/16" as salvageable by honing out. More than that would change the geometry of the razor and would require grinding down the spine so as not to affect the bevel angle.

But like I said, it is just my opinion and pictures would help.

Didn't someone mention a place that razors can be sent for grinding if necessary? I'd say if it's a good razor and grinding will save it send it in for a grind. I thought someone on here was looking into getting all the gear to forge and regrind also

Good point. I forgot about that option. I agree, a good razor is made from good steel and that is worth saving.