Thread: Challenging project

Hello again to everyone out there. I wanted to share a new project that I'm tinkering with at the moment to see if anyone has any ideas or insights to add. A friend of mine recently asked for a straight razor for Christmas. He got 2, one that seems like it will work alright for him, and one that might just be for decoration. The razor is apparently a movie replica that probably wasn't even designed to shave in the first place. I'll include some pictures and info below...

You can read about it more yourself from amazon.com which is where he got it. Here is the link:Amazon.com: Trademark Huge Sweeney Todd Replica Straight Razor Knife: Sports & Outdoors


My buddy tried sharpening this thing with a dremel type tool and the sharpener on the back of a mechanical can opener. He obviously failed to get the thing anywhere close to shave ready or even sharp for that matter. He gave it to me and asked if I could fix it up for him. I told him that I probably could not get it into shaving condition, but that I would give it a shot. From the reviews, I'm assuming that getting this thing shave ready is probably a waste of time. If that is the case, then I think I'll just sharpen it up a bit and give it back to him along with the news that it is not worth the effort. But before I throw in the towel, I figured I'd ask you guys if you've ever tried to get a thing like this up and running. The blade is pretty huge compared to the razors I'm used to seeing. It also seems to be quite a bit thicker than what I normally think of. I guess I don't really know the terminology well enough to know what kind of grind this "razor" has, but it definitely isn't a hollow ground. The blade is actually a good deal thicker than most kitchen knives, and I would guess the grind angle to be about 20 degrees per side. That would be considered dull even for most kitchen knives that I work with, so clearly this thing is going to need not just a new profile, but a big alteration in the bevel angle if it even has a prayer at working.

My expectations are very very low that I'll be able to get this thing shave ready and I told my friend that. But like I said, if any of you have an idea I could try, I'll all ears. It could be fun to try on even if I fail. It might be a good learning experience. Oh yeah, I should probably point out that I am actually very new to honing straight razors in general. I have shaved many kitchen knives, but only one straight razor successfully. I have some waterstones and I recently got what you guys call a PHIG stone. I am considering using some much rougher equipment on this thing though at least to start off. I have some cutting files and even an angle grinder or bench grinder if need be. I'd imagine that using any of the mechanical grinders would probably heat up the edge too much, but this is kind of a low risk situation. My friend said that he doesn't care if I tear it up a bit trying to get it sharp. In his mind, he was about to just throw it away, so any method of sharpening will be entertained. Thanks in advance!

Save your time and efforts. It's not a useable razor.

You have experience honing a razor, you said, so if you want, give it a try.The experience might teach you something interesting. I have always said there is no such thing as a bad straight razor, but in all honesty , maybe that razor should remain a display piece.
I just would not let a razor, of that quality, touch my water stones.
Most all of the members here, hone with good intent to produce a quality shaver.
Sorry I can't be of more help.

Haha, I actually find myself agreeing with you two. I certainly don't see myself getting this "razor" onto any of the stones that I like. But I may try out a sandpaper method that I was reading about. It seems like an interesting method of sharpening, and I could see this thing being a good test subject.

The problem is that you won't know if any of your efforts are actual progress due to the fact that the composition of the steel and everything about that blade is far below par.

Oh, that is a good point. I didn't even think about the metal being used to make this thing. Who even knows what it's made of? I find myself really doubting that it is high carbon. Yeah, I'll probably just put a semi-sharp edge on it and give it back to him. He can peg it to his wall or something. Thanks for the advice.

It is a decoration piece for sure.

Originally Posted by Spacehog

Oh, that is a good point. I didn't even think about the metal being used to make this thing. Who even knows what it's made of? I find myself really doubting that it is high carbon. Yeah, I'll probably just put a semi-sharp edge on it and give it back to him. He can peg it to his wall or something. Thanks for the advice.

They are some form of 440 stainless IIRC & the heel is near impossible to hone due to the grind. They are good dulled down as a training aid in martial arts.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

....They are good dulled down as a training aid in martial arts.

In case you come up against Sweeney Todd?
Well I have to admit, In the training I got we did train against a pointy stick!

About the "Sweeney Todd razor, will it blend?

I'm not sure if the razor will blend because I'm not familiar with the term. If on the other hand, you mean "bend", the answer is no it will not bend. Well, it won't bend unless I put it in a vise and really put some pressure on it.