Thread: faucet arrghh! help

So I have this beautiful new heavy quarter hollow (on mparker's excellent recommendation - thanks), shave-ready from John Crowley, and I'm just starting to get terrific shaves, even around the chin and upper lip. I've used it four times now, and today as I'm rinsing it afterwards I tap the edge (very very gently) against the faucet. Arrrghh.

Is it just a given that I've ruined the edge? I remember reading somewhere never to attempt to shave w/ a razor that you've dropped or hit against the faucet, etc. Should I just give it a go tomorrow, gently? If I've screwed up the edge, how will it feel? Dull? Rough? Lacerating?

And if I have screwed it up, what's it likely to need - a full honing, resetting the bevel etc., or would 5-10 swipes on a coticule get it back in order?

This is why I now wipe on a towel instead of rinsing under the faucet

It's difficult to say. If you have access to a microscope or magnifying glass you can visually inspect the edge. Maybe you're lucky and didn't ding the edge itself. If you did you can probably hone it out. Hard to say how many swipes on a particular hone until you can evaluate the damage.

Try the thumb-nail test. If it passes, then you're fine.

You should be able to see any damage to the edge with proper lighting. I did an 'oopsie' with my Dovo against my thumbnail that was visible under strong light. It was corrected by a light honing on the lithide hone.



Wayne

I say, strop it, and forget it ever happened!
If it pulls a little, try a light touch up on a high grit hone (polish it), strop and try...

You could not have done too much damage.....

C utz

Sent you a PM with more details, but short answer is give it a shave and see how it goes. It's the shave that matters, and if the razor shaves well with a nick, then don't worry about it.

I've heard that "click" and felt that sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.

Originally Posted by mparker762

Sent you a PM with more details, but short answer is give it a shave and see how it goes. It's the shave that matters, and if the razor shaves well with a nick, then don't worry about it.

Good advice there.

I'd do a thumbnail test before going for that shave. Doesn't take much time and it may discover a rough spot or give you the peace of mind to enjoy the next shave.

Thanks everyone. I looked at it under strong light as bbqncigars suggested. To my uneducated eye it's not what I'd call a ding. There is a small section of the edge, maybe 1/16 inch long or less, where the light hits differently from the rest of the edge. I can't see any more than that. I can't tell if the edge in that little section is curled, blunted, or just kinda set in a different direction or what.

I wouldn't try to shave or even strop then. Send it to someone for honing/repair.