Thread: Spine Wear on New Razors

Originally Posted by Euclid440

Yea about that theory... more like myth.

I have seen video of razor manufactures holding the spine off the stone when final honing. As I recall Mastro Livi does the same in one of his videos.

I recently purchased some in the tissue, NOS razors with no hone ware. So that may have been and still may be the practice for some..

If that is the case that just seems completely silly to me. With a freehand bevel the buyer of the razor would have to set a completely new bevel when honing unless he could perfectly match the old bevel, which seems unlikely. And given the fact that the spine already sets the proper angle, I just don't see the point of honing off the stone.

Well its our fault gents, if we demanded a shave ready razor and wouldn't buy one otherwise, they would have to do it for us. The warranty is good only until you hone it. And since the edge is a factory edge, we have to hone it. And many times we don't get buyers remorse until we realize how crooked the spine is and how short it is at the toe once it hits the hone. But by then its too late!

Originally Posted by ScienceGuy

...snip...With a freehand bevel the buyer of the razor would have to set a completely new bevel when honing unless he could perfectly match the old bevel, which seems unlikely. And given the fact that the spine already sets the proper angle, I just don't see the point of honing off the stone.

Agreed but that is the way we do it! the video shows how they prevent cosmetic damage.
See video earlier page!

The Europeans were of the idea that they bought a set ( sharpened) razor and used pasted strops to maintain it. They took the razor to a grinder to have it reset when it was not shaving properly.
The idea of a perfect bevel seems to be one rather unique to this generation of razor users. My assemblage of used razors from the last two hundred years came with very few razors showing what we would call a nice bevel and edge.

~Richard

Originally Posted by Geezer

Agreed but that is the way we do it! the video shows how they prevent cosmetic damage.
See video earlier page!

The Europeans were of the idea that they bought a set ( sharpened) razor and used pasted strops to maintain it. They took the razor to a grinder to have it reset when it was not shaving properly.
The idea of a perfect bevel seems to be one rather unique to this generation of razor users. My assemblage of used razors from the last two hundred years came with very few razors showing what we would call a nice bevel and edge.

~Richard

Was the grinder and honer more or less one and the same? I was under the impression that the grinders just concaved the razors and someone else set them.

There seems to be two discussions going on, so for clarity sake (from the OP) are we talking about razors fresh from the factory (seal intact on the box) or razors bought from a vendor that may or may not have had additional hand honing?

Yup that's one of the Videos,

Did you catch that hammer she is using?

Originally Posted by Ryan82

There seems to be two discussions going on, so for clarity sake (from the OP) are we talking about razors fresh from the factory (seal intact on the box) or razors bought from a vendor that may or may not have had additional hand honing?

I am talking about straight from the factory, sealed box.

What Ryan is referring to are vendors who hone razors prior to shipping, much as is the practice from quality vendors now. Which would account for hone ware on new razors.

It stands to reason, manufactures would hone off spine especially on decorated spine and or plated razors.

I don’t think it would be too hard to learn, especially if you did it all day, every day, kind of like free hand honing knives. With a little practice you can keep a consistent bevel.