Thread: Wedge VS Hollow

Yeah, I've heard that "true" wedges are very rare. I've got a matching pair of Joseph Rodgers straights that I'd class as wedges - they have a small amount of concavity. The bevel that developed on these when I first honed them was 1-2mm wide, at a rough guess. That's a fair bit more metal removal than is required on a full hollow.

I've found honing them is more time consuming, for sure. I might be wrong about this, but I decided that it's better to sneak up on the sharpness with a wedge - overhoning and breaking off a wire-edge means more work than on a hollow (not that I go for overhoning on a hollow either... ). Once they are there, wedges give a beautiful shave, IMHO.

James.

so considering (or at least im assuming) most old blades are carbon... how does one keep it from rusting after honing both the edge, and the spine... possibly even after using an abrasive sandpaper/polish to spruce it up? am i looking at daily oiling? keeping it out of the shower? etc... ive checked around here, cant find any information on blade care of post honing on heavy duty hone jobs (wedges)

Originally Posted by Warlockdlx69

so considering (or at least im assuming) most old blades are carbon... how does one keep it from rusting after honing both the edge, and the spine... possibly even after using an abrasive sandpaper/polish to spruce it up? am i looking at daily oiling? keeping it out of the shower? etc... ive checked around here, cant find any information on blade care of post honing on heavy duty hone jobs (wedges)

I have over 70 blades and I just make sure they are clean and dry! I rinse them after shaving or honing and then simply wipe them dry being careful of the edge. I keep my straights in the bathroom with no ill effect!

Oh, I wouldn't try and shave in the shower if I were you!

Please realize that honing does not remove some protective layer. Razors are not plated; the blades are made of homogeneous metal (usually carbon steel, but sometimes stainless steel). Fine grit "finishing" hones leave a nicely polished bevel that is smooth enough to not retain corrosion-inducing moisture. Just wipe the blade dry and you're done.

My carbon steel razors don't really rust at all, but they do develop a kind of grey patina over time, basically small areas where the shinyness gives way to darker grey colour.

It's only noticable on a Dubl Duck I've been using for a year now, I guess I might give it a polish at some point which will bring the shine back, but it's not necessary as such.

You don't need to oil them after every use. Just wipe them dry with a towel and store them somewhere warm/dry, or at least somewhere not too humid. Mine all live in a canvas roll on the bathroom shelf and suffer no ill effects. I know some folks wipe their blades down with alcohol after use, as it drives away moisture, but I never felt that I needed to do this.

Originally Posted by JMS

Oh, I wouldn't try and shave in the shower if I were you!

Party pooper . . . think how entertaining the inevitable, "I dropped my razor while I was shaving in the shower" post would have been!

Originally Posted by Warlockdlx69

so considering (or at least im assuming) most old blades are carbon... how does one keep it from rusting after honing both the edge, and the spine... possibly even after using an abrasive sandpaper/polish to spruce it up? am i looking at daily oiling? keeping it out of the shower? etc... ive checked around here, cant find any information on blade care of post honing on heavy duty hone jobs (wedges)

Sanding or honing doesn't effect the rusting situation. You have to make sure you keep them dry. I store them away from the bathroom due to steam. My apt is air conditioned most of the time and I dry my razors well after each use so I don't oil them unless they are going into long-term storage. Try to keep water away from the pin area and dry them well after each use.

Jordan

Originally Posted by SteveS

Party pooper . . . think how entertaining the inevitable, "I dropped my razor while I was shaving in the shower" post would have been!

I should've known you when I lived in Willits!

my apologies, i meant "bathroom"... i wouldnt dare take a straight edge into the shower (O_O) LOL that would be tragic, as stated, if i were to drop it... God forbid im showering looking forward to a long night with the Mrs.....

so heres a question, should i wipe the blade on a dry towel like i would if i were stropping, to dry it? or would that wreck my edge?