Thread: Has the Bigspendur met his match?

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Well, I spent the better part of the day on this thing. First I experimented with the lansky hone which is about an inch wide starting with 125 mesh diamond (you know the kind that with one pass half your edge is gone) and moved up gradually to 600 mesh diamond and then some circular honing on the blue belgian and then on up to the coticule. So after all that guess what? It still wont even shave arm hairs. Actually I think I figured out what the problem is. I don't know why I didn't see it before but while I had it suspended on the lansky vise and the light hit it just right I noticed that not only is the edge warped but its warped in a multiple S configuration. I've never seen that in a razor before and I can't even figure out how it happened. I can't believe people have been shaving with this thing for well over a hundred years like this. The warp isn't extreme-very slight actually but its there.

So now I can say this thing has whipped me. I guess it will go into the bag with all the junk razors.

You can always use it as a letter opener.
But couldn't you use a vise to align the blade again? Or is that a stupid suggestion?

Bruno, that method would be impractical.. It would be possible to hammer it back in shape but it's very risky for the following reason:

1) Very hard metal
2) Brittle
3) Even if you straightened it out, you may not do it right or may even damage the spine.

I remember honing Ed's Wolstenholm which was very soft. I couldn't get the thing to find its edge until I did a small pyramid with 1 8k lap instead of 5 each time and it worked like a charm. Gently pasted and final strop and it was a great shave.

X

Because of the multiple warp in the edge its not a matter of pyramids, its a matter of getting the entire surface to be in contact with the hone to get some consistant edge. At one point I got it to at least arm hair shave but it still pulled and didn't cut consistantly and after that I realized it has that weird warp. I guess if it was a really valuable piece it would be worth playing with it. The only way to hone it would be with a very narrow hone similar to the lansky hones. The problem then is the consistancy of maintaining the angle and a consistant stroke.

At this point I just don't see it being worth it anymore. Of course if anyone out there is game just let me know and the first to request it will get a free razor. If you can hone it then you'll have a real antique on your hands.

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