Thread: Bevel on blade tang

I notice that many razors would have bevels on the tang of the blade. I know that most likely it's not from factory because trade marks and writings would be obliterated. Was this done by owners to give it a better grip, or were they just careless or overly aggressive when honing the blade?

What do you mean by bevels on the tang? Got pics?

Originally Posted by Javak

I notice that many razors would have bevels on the tang of the blade. I know that most likely it's not from factory because trade marks and writings would be obliterated. Was this done by owners to give it a better grip, or were they just careless or overly aggressive when honing the blade?

Yes pics are necessary so we can see what you are talking about . You could be describing a shoulderless grind , which would have been done by the maker . Or you could be describing a razor with excessive honewear . Or you could be describing a razor that has been re-ground .

You can see part of the Dixon name was removed.

It sounds like you are talking about the section on the bottom of the tang, closest to the blade that has a bit of a grind on it. I have a few razors like this, and it is from the factory. Do you mean the way that some tangs have a slight angle on the face, but not all the way across?

Like this?


Sometimes it is a longer section and more pronounced. If this is what you are asking about, in most cases it is manufactured that way.

Originally Posted by Javak

You can see part of the Dixon name was removed.

I doubt it was removed, it is more likely that it was never fully stamped. I have an Electric Cutlery Co. that is just like that, and the etch is a bit incomplete. Inconsistency in stamps is one thing you can rely on with vintage razors.

That's a strange looking razor . The blade looks too thin , in proportion to the tang , and the scales . Re-grind , maybe ?

Thanks guys for the quick replies. I just thought it's odd they would leave part of "Germany" out. I am a newbie and still learning the nuances of things.

I just got this today in the mail. The blade width is surprising 3/8", and it's in dire need of a new set of scale.

Yeah, that looks totally out of proportion to me, too. It could be my eyes tricking me, but it also looks like it gets thinner towards the toe...?

I just opened a razor roll, and eight out of nine razors held in it have this type of "bevel tang". The only exception is a covered tang Boker.

Aside from the disproportionate size of the tang to the width of the blade, it looks fine. If it started life as a wider blade, it must have been intentionally narrowed, as there seems to be no noticeable hone wear. And the edge is pretty close to straight, until you hit the toe. Seems as though something worn down throughout the years would have developed some sort of frown or smile before hitting this width. I have been seeing more narrow blades here recently, possibly because I have stopped looking for 8/8's so much.