Thread: Can this razor be saved?

Originally Posted by John Crowley

Bogus! If you put tape on the spine, (a recent trend the psycology of I have yet to understand), it will just thicken up the bevel on an already honed out razor. The only way to save that razor would be to sent it to Ross Cutlery in Los Angeles to be reground or to find someone with the equipment to do it for you. That razor is honed out. Sorry for being blunt but why would I blow smoke?

Well, I agree that a regrind is a more elegant solution. I can see why taping would result in a thicker bevel, but it would also result in a narrower bevel and make it easier to hone to a keen edge. However, it depends on how thick the bevel is currently. If the razor was mine (I do own a couple that are hone out), I would tape it and see how it shaves. If it didn't deliver a comfortable shave, I'd probably trash it (or use it as a bread knife).

Originally Posted by radaddict

Well, I agree that a regrind is a more elegant solution, but please explain how taping the spine will result in a thicker bevel?

Yes Please do, as I understand it, tape=thicker spine, thicker spine=narrow bevel.

Originally Posted by radaddict

Well, I agree that a regrind is a more elegant solution, but please explain how taping the spine will result in a thicker bevel?

Originally Posted by tat2Ralfy

Yes Please do, as I understand it, tape=thicker spine, thicker spine=narrow bevel.

Well, you quoted my post before I modified it. lol. I think my revised post explains it a bit better.

Let me see if I can explain all this:

The more hone wear, the thinner the spine and the wider the bevel. So, when honing, you're honing more steel and, as the spine gets thinner, the edge moves closer to the spine. The closer the edge moves to the spine, the thicker the steel and the more difficult it is get a keen edge. Taping the spine will make it easier to get a keen edge, but because the edge or bevel is thick (and I'm talking steel thickness, not bevel width), it doesn't shave well. Sharp thin steel will cut more effectively than equally sharp thick steel.

Let's talk about bevel angles. Thin steel will be honed to a narrow bevel (low bevel angle) and a certain sharpness. Thick steel can be honed to the same sharpness, but the bevel angle will be wide (as viewed from the side). Consider that the average 6/8 razor may have a bevel angle of 18 degrees and delivers a comfortable shave. Now, keep the same sharpness and 6/8 blade width, but widen the bevel angle to 30 degrees (making the spine thicker). Shaving with that razor won't be easy. You'll have to compensate for the increased bevel angle by increasing the blade to skin angle. We all know the discomfort that comes with raising the spine too far beyond the 30 degree optimum angle.

To explain (or muddy the waters) further: The razor geometry is complex. You have the blade width, spine thickness and bevel angle all working together. You may shave with the razor at a 30 degree angle to your face, but the angle to your face at the bevel is much lower (sigh... I wish I had some diagrams). So, if you have a wide bevel angle you will need to raise the blade angle much higher to achieve the same bevel to face angle that you got with the razor with a low bevel angle. (good god... the pellet with the poison's in the vessel with the pestle. The chalice from the palace has the brew that is true. - sorry, obscure reference to an old Danny Kaye movie )

I fear that this is still clear as mud, but I hope that helps.

I see, but surely if the bevel angle is correct a good shave should result? I totaly understand what your saying, but a wedge shaves divinely if honed right

Originally Posted by tat2Ralfy

I see, but surely if the bevel angle is correct a good shave should result? I totaly understand what your saying, but a wedge shaves divinely if honed right

I've added a bit more to my explanation that may (or may not) make this clearer. You need to take the geometry of the entire razor into account.

(good god... the pellet with the poison's in the vessel with the pestle. The chalice from the palace has the brew that is true. )

Bwhahahahaha and whats worse is our posts are kinda overlapping
dont know about you but my head is all fuzzy now?
what say we just vote that it needs a re-grind? hahahaha

Either that or we get into using 3m packing tape to produce a shimmed and tapered packer for the spine....lol

Sod it, the dude can just use it to butter his toast and be done with it... lol

Originally Posted by tat2Ralfy

Sod it, the dude can just use it to butter his toast and be done with it... lol

I pick that one. Might get some funny looks though.

Barber's Notch = rest on jar of jam

Originally Posted by radaddict

good god... the pellet with the poison's in the vessel with the pestle. The chalice from the palace has the brew that is true.

I fear that this is still clear as mud, but I hope that helps.

No! The pellet with the poison's in the flagon with the dragon! The vessel with the pestle has the brew that is true!

So everyone can share in the lunacy:
YouTube - The Court Jester - The Pellet With The Poison