Thread: Can someone diagnose this problem?

Hey all, I am still somewhat new to many aspects of straight razor management. I have this pretty Theirs Issard Silver Wing, but I'm having problems with its sharpened bevel. As you can see the beveled area does not run down the blade in an even line (I've photoshop-ed the photos so the problem can be clearly seen). I'm pretty sure the problem isn't my honing; none of my other blades have this issue. Is this the result of defect in the metal of the blade? If anyone can help I'd appreciate it, thanks!



—————————————————————————————————————————————————— ———————

It is an uneven grind or a very slight warp, many razors have them...

It is normally, unless extreme no detriment to attaining a shaving edge,
it is however visually un-appealing.

You can correct this with selective pressure, selective taping, or honing gymnastics ..

Originally Posted by gssixgun

It is an uneven grind or a very slight warp, many razors have them...

It is normally, unless extreme no detriment to attaining a shaving edge,
it is however visually un-appealing.

You can correct this with selective pressure, selective taping, or honing gymnastics ..

Glen,
Do you see a frown in progress? Seems like he has to spend a little bevel work on the heal and toe also.

That is not a frown in progress. The uneven bevel is irrelevant As Glen already pointed out, the uneven bevel is likely due to either an uneven grind or a warped blade. I would never bother to make a bevel uniform just for cosmetic purposes, as in my mind that would be counter the actual conformation of the blade. That is, if the wide bevel is due to grinding, then that part of the edge is simply wider and as a result geometry dictates that more steel needs to be removed in that region. There would be no need to widen the bevel in other regions just because the grind is thinner there.

Edit: Actually, comparing the two photos, odds are that the blade is warped since the bevel is wide in the middle on one side and wide on the ends of the other side. In this instance corrective honing is necessary.

One of my very best shavers looks like that (worse actually), and I've never considered it a problem. With that razor I put it down to an uneven grind rather than a spine warp. In the case of the TI it is a little disappointing I must say, but unlikely to be detrimental to how it shaves.

Originally Posted by Kingfish

Glen,
Do you see a frown in progress? Seems like he has to spend a little bevel work on the heal and toe also.

I think I see where yer going with this, and yes over time if it were mine, I would start to push the edge into a very gentle smile.. Using just a bit of honing gymnastics, I don't think I would waste the steel to try and correct it visually in one shot, since the shave would really not be effected either way.. Just every time it needed honing I would very gently correct it..

I really appreciate everyone's response. From what you all have said, I've concluded that the blade is slightly warped; subsequently, I'll try to fix it over time by honing via particular finesse (as you've mentioned). Thanks again for the help!

The uneven edge bevel definitely points to a slightly warped blade.

I have a number of these TI blades (some still unused) and all of mine have a (very) slight smile, while the blade in the picture seems to be showing an almost totally straight edge. This would lead me to say that the honing has been slightly too enthusiastic.

Follow gssixgun's advice and try to work a slight smile back into the blade.

If you look at the second photo, you'll see that the bevel almost disappears at the middle of the blade.

A wide bevel in the middle on one side plus miniscule bevel in the middle on the other side strongly suggests a warped blade.

Because of this, I don't see any reason why this blade is in peril of a frown nor do I see any reason to "push...a smile." Could someone explain why they feel this to be necessary?

Originally Posted by Utopian

If you look at the second photo, you'll see that the bevel almost disappears at the middle of the blade.

A wide bevel in the middle on one side plus miniscule bevel in the middle on the other side strongly suggests a warped blade.

Because of this, I don't see any reason why this blade is in peril of a frown nor do I see any reason to "push...a smile." Could someone explain why they feel this to be necessary?

Because eventually it will be more visually even, that is the only reason, and a weak one at that.. Not necessary at all