Thread: is this an uneven bevel?

Hello all,

I recently acquired this razor a William Rodgers (I cut my way), I was wanting to restore it (never done any before) and think I it only needs some polishing, although the bevel seems uneven along the length and on each side, as I'm no expert I've attached some photos for you guys to look at and let me know what you think, is this normal or from someone else restoring it? at the moment the only hone I have is a Norton 4000/8000k, will this be enough to get this shave ready? I've only honed 1 razor before (last week) and that was a hollow ground, this is a wedge..
Also what is best to use to polish the scales as they are stained in places especially inside? Thanks in advance to any answers..

Looks not too bad, if it was mine i would bread knife it and re hone it but as long as the bevel meets and it isn't too much of a frown \ warped it could still shave fine

Here's my opinion.

Don't breadknife. It takes sooooo much work to bring a bevel back to a razor that has been breadknifed.

You can use a metal polish on the blade, such as Maas or Flitz. They both work nicely, although I prefer the Maas. They can also work on scales, although be gentle because they are abrasive. Alternately, a rough cloth and soap/water might help. For the inside, grab a pipe cleaner. They work really well.

As for the honing, I would seriously recommend that you find someone local (and we have quite a few members in and around the UK) to either hone or help you hone that razor. Some wedges can be absolutely no fun. If it were me, I'd send it out.

Hope this helps a bit,

Thanks Maxi,

I'll give the Maas a try if I can find some, I like the pipe cleaner idea...
I really want to try and hone it myself as would like to learn this skill..

Originally Posted by Brighty83

Looks not too bad, if it was mine i would bread knife it and re hone it but as long as the bevel meets and it isn't too much of a frown \ warped it could still shave fine

I am sorry but why would you bredknife a perfectly fine razor?
There is no frown whatsoever to merit such action. This is extremely radical action that should be attempted in very limited cases, and definitely not by newbies.

@OP.
wedge grind razors often have uneven bevels being from improper honing over the years , or the grind not very carefully executed for the older ones. Just hone it and it should shave well.

sorry, don't bread knife it.

I should have probably said: If it was mine, 'I' would bread knife it and re-hone the edge with some tape as i like a straight edge. But.... I would not bread knife any razors until you have honed enough to know what you are doing!

I had one much the same that i fixed great with that method but it was slightly more warped then that. It is a radical method and it can ether fix or destroy your razor!

Send it to a honemaster! It will come back shave ready!

Originally Posted by markhur

I really want to try and hone it myself as would like to learn this skill..

It might not be the friendliest razor to learn on, with the warp i can see in the second photo (narrow near the tang and long toward the point) you will need to try some different angles and x strokes etc

Also it looks like a near wedge (3/4) to me not a proper wedge? If it was a full wedge i would not bread knife it at all, ever.

Is the blade warped or dose it just look warped to me in the second photo?

In the bottom photo i guess it doesn't look warped much at all?

From what i could see in the second photo, at the spine it goes out, then about 3mm across (going towards the point) it starts go in towards the spine until close to half way where it goes out again for the rest of the blade.

The point\middle looks a mm or so wider then the middle\back?

Like stated above,as long as you have a bevel and it shaves well,the uneven bevel is a result of the uneven spine wear. It does not effect the shave,and thats a common problem with 150 year old wedges!! Shave on brother.

thanks for the feedback guys, I will go with the honing option on my 4000 then 8000 (once polished) and see how she shaves..

Help_Files_Permanent_Archive_Barbering_Textbooks_1961_Barbering_Text_-_Honing.pdf

Here is a copy of the barbers honing manual if you want to have a flick through it