Thread: sanding a smile out?

The first pic shows excessive spine/hone wear towards the toe, the second pic shows it in the middle of the spine. Warped blade. Grandpas razor. Just sand it to get it clean and shiny, once it is polished put a layer of electrical tape along the spine for protection, from the stabilizer to the other end. Use a black magic marker to mark the edge/bevel and give it a few strokes and you will see exactly where you are missing it. This is where you want to "rock" the blade while doing your strokes to compensate for the deformity of the blade. While doing your X strokes not only do you want to lift or rock the spine you will want to make the stroke in a semi circular fashion like a windshield wiper in order to preserve granpas winning smile. I hope this helps.

As for grit progression, I usually start with 600 grit wet and dry and then 1000k, 1500k, 2000k and then shine her up with your favorite metal polish.

400 will work fine I think.

Themagicturtle!

You're getting some good advice for these guys! Listen to them! They are way more experienced at honing than I am.

I will point out that if and when you decide to clean up the blade, Please wear Heavy Leather Gloves! Even though the blade isn't shave ready it's still plenty sharp to do some very serious damage!!

Safety First! The gloves may not allow you to completely prevent a very nasty cut, but they will diminish the damage!

You don't need gloves when honing but still take your time and keep your mind on what your doing!

Keep us updated on your progress!

Smooth Shaving!

It's time for me to "Blasphyme" again, but here goes, I would bread knife the edge on a diamond stone maybe a DMT 325 or 220 [course or extra-course] ane then use PVC tape on the spine and start honing on your 1k or even 500 Grit if you have one and just keep going until a decent edge is put on.
The tape is to arrest what is already a great deal of hone wear- if you start on the 4K grit stone you will be there for quite a while mate'!!!! If the blade was a decent shaver before you CAN make it a decent shaver again!!!

IMHO, that is.

tinkersd or SRP!!

You can do all that extra work if you wish. Someone with experience honing would just hone the razor as it is and it will shave just fine. When I hone, unless it has a frown, I just sharpen the blade as it is. I find that most of the vintage razors I have were honed the way they are for a reason that improves the shave. Some razors that were used by barbers may have excessive toe wear. I guess that was what they used most. Razors like the one you pictures has less of a chance of slicing you with the toe if you are careful but still allow for the square point functionality. Which ever path you take, good luck.

Mod comment: The OP created two threads on the same topic. I merged them onto one thread.

Originally Posted by tinkersd

It's time for me to "Blasphyme" again, but here goes, I would bread knife the edge on a diamond stone maybe a DMT 325 or 220 [course or extra-course] ane then use PVC tape on the spine and start honing on your 1k or even 500 Grit if you have one and just keep going until a decent edge is put on.
The tape is to arrest what is already a great deal of hone wear- if you start on the 4K grit stone you will be there for quite a while mate'!!!! If the blade was a decent shaver before you CAN make it a decent shaver again!!!

IMHO, that is.

tinkersd or SRP!!

Please don't breadknife the razor. It is an extreme technique that can be avoided with patience and a little reading/guidance.

Hone the razor as is. When you take metal off....you can't put it back on. I'm with Joed on this one.

Remember, your grandfathers razor cannot be replaced and you would feel horrible if damage was done to said razor. If I was in your place, before I took said razor to the stone, I would ask myself if I was really qualified to do the job. If you are experienced in honing, fine. BUT, if you have any questions as to your ability to do the job,you should send the razor to one of our guys who do this all the time. A razor that your grandfather used is priceless, and a few bucks spent on a expert is nothing compared to that razor being wrecked. Very Best Regards, wildhog

Originally Posted by Joed

Mod comment: The OP created two threads on the same topic. I merged them onto one thread.

Oh thank God! I thought I was having Deja Vu all over again.

BTW breadknifing just creates extra work.

Originally Posted by wildhog

Remember, your grandfathers razor cannot be replaced and you would feel horrible if damage was done to said razor. If I was in your place, before I took said razor to the stone, I would ask myself if I was really qualified to do the job. If you are experienced in honing, fine. BUT, if you have any questions as to your ability to do the job,you should send the razor to one of our guys who do this all the time. A razor that your grandfather used is priceless, and a few bucks spent on a expert is nothing compared to that razor being wrecked. Very Best Regards, wildhog

This is the answer right here. This is not the razor to learn on. There are hundreds of poorly honed razors out there for learning. Send this one off. Please.