Thread: Razor with a smile?

When a razor is described as having a smile, what exactly does that mean? I can only relate it to a razor I have that is an old F.R., it "bends" kind of on a sweep of sorts. I that what that means? Also, the reason I ask is, it seems to me to be almost impossible to achieve a bevel on it. Thanks

This razor in my photo has a smile in the blade. It is a upwardly curving blade. I feel your pain with getting a bevel, as the one in the photo took me several tries and I still ended up getting help to set the bevel along the full edge. Check the Wiki here and there's also a video by GSSixgun about honing a smiling wedge, which will give some help with any smile. The rolling x-stroke is apparently key.

Good pics here: The straight razor - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Thanks jdto...you know, that razor looks similar to my F.R. It is interesting because I have another razor, it's a 4/8 Bengall and it was not difficult setting the bevel or honing it. Though, it looks very similar. I am still at that hit and miss stage of the game. Sometimes I'm successful at honing and if not, I try again until I get it. I just wish I knew before I begin what works on a particular razor and what doesn't. Fortunately, more often than not, I end up on the money...I only wish I really understood how I get there(???)