Thread: Vedepasco Razor and Thumbnail Test

As a fairly new straight user, I'm still not quite sure what a decent edge should feel like. It's my undertanding that the blade should display some resistance when dragged across a wet thumbnail. I recently found a Vedepasco razor in an antique shop that seemed to pass the test. It dragged with some resistance and also a bit unevenly. The unevenness concerns me a little though there was no perceptible nicks or burrs. Does this sound like a thorough stropping is all that's needed or something more aggressive? And has anyone ever heard of Vedepasco? It was stamped "Solingen."

Never heard of the make, though if it's Solingen chances are it's good steel. Stop messing about with thumbnails and try a shave. You'll soon know what shape the edge is in! From there you can decide to hone or strop as needed - though you really should strop before the shave!

I'd suggest that if you're not sure what a good edge feels like, you should send one out to a honemeister so you'll have a basis of comparison.

The reason I'm asking questions is because I haven't bought the razor and I'm wondring if it's worth it. They won't let me shave with it in the shop.

assume it doesn't shave shaving is the only wait to know for sure

I am sure others will chime in soon, but your description of the TNT suggests uneven edge thickness. Just means that it is (not uniformly) dull, and will need to be honed before you try stropping or shaving with it. I would not worry about the TNT (or any test for that matter) in a razor in an antique shop - it is very unlikely that you will find an old antique that is shaveready. Assume that it will need to be honed. I would just make sure that the razor's in good condition.

Originally Posted by RayG

I am sure others will chime in soon, but your description of the TNT suggests uneven edge thickness. Just means that it is (not uniformly) dull, and will need to be honed before you try stropping or shaving with it. I would not worry about the TNT (or any test for that matter) in a razor in an antique shop - it is very unlikely that you will find an old antique that is shaveready. Assume that it will need to be honed. I would just make sure that the razor's in good condition.

+1.


If it doesn't bite into your nail smoothly it is either dull or has a wire edge and is skipping. Plan on it needing a honing if you are buying an antique. If the razor is in otherwise good condition and you like the look of it, it might still be worth a go.
Also, even if it did pass the TNT all the way down, it would still need a bit of work on the strop, etc. to be actually shave ready. So I wouldn't judge it based on that, but on the overall condition of the razor and, more importantly, if you like it.

John P.

coming out of an antique shop it will need honed i would worry more about if the blade lays flat on a hone and isnt warped