Thread: W&B B--tard wedge

Got a pre 1891 W&B wedge and it is a true wedge to try and fix up. Took her apart did what I could with limited skills, reassembled and proceeded to attempt to hone it. Used two strips of electrical tape and started out on a 1000 Naniwa to hone the chips out and set a bevel. Finally got the chips out but had a very uneven bevel but carried on to a 3000 Naniwa any way to see if I could get it to pop hairs. That was a no go so walked away from it for the day.

Next day having thought about it and the hugely uneven bevel decided to go with 4 strips of tape which was a little better but not quite there yet. So added 2 more strips for a total of six and got a workable but not too pretty bevel. Worked up to a 12000 Naniwa and shave tested. Got a rough shave from a semi sharp blade. So back down to an 8000 Naniwa and 6 strips of electrical tape and work back up. Got a decent shave this morning except for the chin and throat are under it. I think it is still not quite sharp enough yet because of that.

Just two questions really. Is it normal to have to use 6 strips of electrical tape on a true wedge? I am thinking that I am going to try an extra layer on top of the 6 just on the side of the blade where the edge is still too narrow compared to the other side to try and even things up a bit. Would that work?

Just a total newbie winging it and doing whatever it takes to try and get an edge. Working with a true wedge has been an interesting and frustrating experience. Mind you actually shaving with a 120+ year old razor more than makes up for the frustrations.

Bob

Pics ????

True wedges are very very rare, I have seen 2, there is a thread on here about some Theories on how they were actually honed in the past...
Looking at the bevels and thinking it through I have always thought that either they lifted the "Spine" and honed it like an knife, or there was a "Cheater bar".. Perhaps I am wrong on both accounts and they were honed on a wheel

But using Tape might be our way around it..


I would have loved to have seen the bevel and spine relationship before the razor was touched.
You also very well could have a near wwedge that the spine is worn down they are much more common


edit: Here is the thread the beginning deals with what you are asking about the end I have no idea

http://straightrazorpalace.com/advan...honed-day.html

Thanks Glen, I did read the linked thread. You are probably right in that it is a near wedge with hone wear. If I lay a straight edge spine to where the edge starts you can see the tiniest bit of light between it and the blade. Eyeballing it I missed that extremely slight concave.

I think I will just carry on playing with it like I have been then as I think I am almost there. If it baffles you how they did it then I am really operating in the dark here but I am used to that.

Before I had a go at it.



Bob

Yeppers a near wedge, Thanks for posting the pic,,

I would say yer on the right track with the tape, I tend to try to never go over 3 layers as it starts to get a little "Squishy" In the old days and even today it could be re-ground... But it you want to keep a smaller bevel and the wedge feel ya gotta do something with the spine..

I have thought many times of making a Brass Cheater strip, I know of one quick thinking guy on here, that used a cut Bic pen on one in the past

You know I might go looking for some smaller diameter copper pipe to split lengthwise to make a copper cheater strip held in place by electrical tape. Thanks for the tip. So carry on it is. It might have an ugly looking uneven edge in the end but it will darn well be shaving. Man these things are different.

Bob

Seems like a tiny binder clip might be convenient. Anybody ever tried one? I'm looking at one of the 3/4" (small) clips from Office Max, and it looks a smidge too big, but I know I've seen smaller ones before.

Talking about these, for anyone who might know them by a different name.

On a true wedge I will start with 4 layers of tape. Be sure to get them as evenly draped across the spine as possible. The bevel may be as ugly as can be, but boy will they shave!

Originally Posted by northpaw

Seems like a tiny binder clip might be convenient. Anybody ever tried one? I'm looking at one of the 3/4" (small) clips from Office Max, and it looks a smidge too big, but I know I've seen smaller ones before.

Talking about these, for anyone who might know them by a different name.

I tried these once, they make an awful screetching noise on the hones and dont stay put very well! I do like the copper idea, 6 layers of tape is crazy even if necessary