Thread: Microtome???

Just scored a razor called a microtome off the bay. Advertised as "shave ready"... but received it not exactly that. How do I get the best edge on this? Hone it like a kamisori? Or tape the hell out of the wedge side? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

Pictures would help.

It is not a Kamisori grind, it is different

It was designed as a "Slicing" instrument with a chisel grind so you are going to at least need to lift the back side up 1 layer to get a Push cutting edge on there I would recommend 2 layers on the back 1 on that front..

I have done a few of them over the years

They can take a stupidly sharp edge and require some care when shaving with them

Originally Posted by gssixgun

and require some care when shaving with them

Since they are designed for cutting off very thin layers of tissue (aka skin)!

Thanks, Glen. I put on my finishing stone last night and instead of taping just lifted the straight side a hair. It was quite a bit sharper, but I think it will take a better edge. I'll try taping it for accuracy's sake. How far down the face of the blade should the tape go? It seems that if I tape down to about half way it would create a better angle.

That backside is dead flat, so you kinda want to keep the tape high on the spine maybe at the most 1/4 of an inch down the face of the blade

I know two people that shave with microtomes. One guy keeps his dead flat on the back and his shave technique seems awkward. The other guy uses 3 pieces of tape to taper the back - 2 pieces are cut in half lengthwise and stuck on the back side and the third piece goes on top of the other 2, over the top of the spine, and down the front of the blade to protect against hone wear.

"stupidly sharp edge" from Glen describes those blades perfectly, definitely use with care.