Thread: Shorter Blades

Trust me anyone with many old razors could easily provide you with a shortened blade. I've got two cracked blades on my table right now that are both going to be converted into shortened 2-2.5" blades by cutting off the toe to eliminate the crack.

Originally Posted by Utopian

Trust me anyone with many old razors could easily provide you with a shortened blade. I've got two cracked blades on my table right now that are both going to be converted into shortened 2-2.5" blades by cutting off the toe to eliminate the crack.

How will you cut off the toe? I've been thinking about shortening a blade that has a badly broken spike. I'm concerned about heating the blade and loosing its hardness.

Thanks

Originally Posted by Qatsats

How will you cut off the toe? I've been thinking about shortening a blade that has a badly broken spike. I'm concerned about heating the blade and loosing its hardness.

Thanks

You are right to be concerned about losing the temper. To avoid this, I use 6 things:
1. A Dremel with a cutoff wheel used at a slow speed.
2. Patience.
3. A heat sink.
4. A glass of water.
5. Time.
6. A 90 rpm wet grinder.

I hold the blade against a small jeweler's anvil while I cut the blade with the Dremel. I hold my thumb against the blade and if I feel any heating of the blade, I stop cutting and dip the blade in the water. I generally do just a little cutting at a time, so that's where the patience comes in for me. I don't ever try to do it all in one sitting. When I do finally have it cut, I reshape the toe with the 90 rpm wet grinder, which makes it impossible to overheat at that point.

Edit: I should point out that the Dremel I am now using was kindly and generously given to me by Nun2Sharp!

Originally Posted by Utopian

You are right to be concerned about losing the temper. To avoid this, I use 6 things:
1. A Dremel with a cutoff wheel used at a slow speed.
2. Patience.
3. A heat sink.
4. A glass of water.
5. Time.
6. A 90 rpm wet grinder.

I hold the blade against a small jeweler's anvil while I cut the blade with the Dremel. I hold my thumb against the blade and if I feel any heating of the blade, I stop cutting and dip the blade in the water. I generally do just a little cutting at a time, so that's where the patience comes in for me. I don't ever try to do it all in one sitting. When I do finally have it cut, I reshape the toe with the 90 rpm wet grinder, which makes it impossible to overheat at that point.

Edit: I should point out that the Dremel I am now using was kindly and generously given to me by Nun2Sharp!

You forgot the most important thing. Wear safety glasses.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

You forgot the most important thing. Wear safety glasses.

Excellent point!

Thanks, I'm new to straight razors. That Dovo Jubilaum looks about right.