Too much frown?

Hi all. I am new to the world of straight shaving. I bought a pre-honed Dovo Classic 5/8 from Vintage Blades. I noticed after my first shave that the blade has a slight "frown" to it (I believe that is correct. I just learned that term reading these forums tonight while looking for answers).

I am attaching pictures. Is this too much frown? Is this curve within a normal variance for straight edges? Is it something I should contact the seller about, or will it have no effect on my shaving?

Thanks,
Jonathan

I noticed this was your first post, congratulations!

As far as frown goes. I won't sell a razor with any frown. My vote would be to contact the seller. However, some of the other guys might have other opinions.

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Originally Posted by jonnyg

Hi all. I am new to the world of straight shaving. I bought a pre-honed Dovo Classic 5/8 from Vintage Blades. I noticed after my first shave that the blade has a slight "frown" to it (I believe that is correct. I just learned that term reading these forums tonight while looking for answers).

I am attaching pictures. Is this too much frown? Is this curve within a normal variance for straight edges? Is it something I should contact the seller about, or will it have no effect on my shaving?

Thanks,
Jonathan

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It could be warped, or badly ground at the factory. Yes these things do happen...
When the time comes time to re-hone, it will be a pain because the middle may not touch the hone.

I am sure the the seller will fix you up right.

Jim at Vintageblades is great to deal with. I would give him a call.

Hi Jonathon,
That is definitely too much frown. I would contact Jim at Vintage Blades as RayG mentioned he is good to work with. Let us know how it goes.

That frown on the edge usually comes after doing the X pattern for some time. If you watch how the X pattern is done you will see that the middle of the edge contacts the hone a lot more than the outer part of the edge does.

All, thank you so much for your replies. I am going to send an email to Vintage Blades. I was thinking about my three shaves I've done. I would do a pass, and it seemed like the middle of the blade wasn't cutting as clean as the ends. Being a newb, I hadn't put all this together until yesterday.

str8razor, I'll post here what happens. Considering the stuff I ordered came with a *hand-written* thank-you letter, I'm not worried. This store seems to have a lot of class.

Jonathan

I know Jim personally and he has told me that he totally believes in customer satisfaction, hence the thank you note from him which not many do.

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Originally Posted by str8razor

Hi Jonathon,
That is definitely too much frown. I would contact Jim at Vintage Blades as RayG mentioned he is good to work with. Let us know how it goes.

That frown on the edge usually comes after doing the X pattern for some time. If you watch how the X pattern is done you will see that the middle of the edge contacts the hone a lot more than the outer part of the edge does.

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Hi Bill, I am new to straight razor shaving and honing. Is the X pattern something I should avoid or is it a matter of doing it properly? I don't want to mess up my razors.

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Originally Posted by Slant-Fan

Hi Bill, I am new to straight razor shaving and honing. Is the X pattern something I should avoid or is it a matter of doing it properly? I don't want to mess up my razors.

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Jimmy,
No the X is fine. I didn't explain enough. It takes a long time to create a frown in a razor's edge.
Click on the link below and then click on the 1961 Barber Text on honing and read that. It tells you how to get rid of the frown if you happen to get one. It is also good reading on general honing.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/compo...d,19/Itemid,3/

X pattern doesnt create a frown razor at all, even if the hone is 3" wide.
A frown razor is produced from a narrow pasted strop and an straight up-down no X motion

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Originally Posted by Yannis

X pattern doesnt create a frown razor at all, even if the hone is 3" wide.
A frown razor is produced from a narrow pasted strop and an straight up-down no X motion

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Read the link in the previous post.

True, it would take a long time create... But Jonnyg's razor is new... probable only ever been honed at the factory.

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Originally Posted by str8razor

Read the link in the previous post.

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-X pattern on a narrow hone ( like 1" to 1 1/2" hone) produce an even bevel and does not produce a frown razor like this.
-X pattern on a medium width hone (like 2" hone) does not produce a frown razor like this.
The experienced honer has a tendency on a medium width hone to use unintentionaly a slightly more pressure at the heel and at the tip and lower at the middle (the pressure diference is very very light)
-X pattern on a wide hone (like 3" hone) produce after time a bevel that is narrow at the heel and wider at the tip and not frown.
But the experienced honer on this hone to compansate this, he use more pressure at the heel at the begining of the stroke (very light pressure diference)
-X pattern with the technique described in this barber manual as " technique for the advanced student" produce after time a light smilling razor.

The razor in fig20 in this barber manual, as the razor in this thread is described as " average barber tendency " on honing.
This is only produced, due to incorrect honing technique ( incorrect Xpattern or no X pattern at all) on a narrow hone / narrow pasted strop when the middle of the edge is used more on the hone/pasted strop.

But this discusion is for the honing section.

I emailed Jim and he sent me a UPS return label today. He is very kind and very fast. I'm boxing it up now (glad I kept the original box and bubble wrap!) and will send it back tomorrow. Then I have to be without a razor until the new one arrives. :-(

Three shaves and I'm already loving this. I fear I'll have to use my electric until it gets here.

Thanks for all the advice.

Jonathan

Johathan I love it when a plan comes together.