Results 1 to 10 of 24
Thread: Hand Sanding A Blade, Redux
Hybrid View
-
02-23-2014, 05:55 AM #1
- Join Date
- Nov 2006
- Location
- Greenacres, FL
- Posts
- 2,881
Thanked: 599If the spine edge is still extant -- sharp and clearly delineated, as in the leftmost photo of the original blade -- then a single layer of electrical tape will conform nicely to the profile, and the geometry will be stable (consistent) along its length. But, if the spine edge has been smoothed -- no longer sharp and clearly delineated, as in the rightmost photo -- then the geometry will vary along its length, making a consistent bevel at best a crap-shoot.
2) From the illustration, I fail to see the distinction between sanding from edge to spine compared to from spine to edge. Are you suggesting that one should start moving the sandpaper upwards from the edge, but stop short of the spine line in order to not disturb such line? The illustration seems to indicate that the sanding stroke is both up and down. Wouldn't a downstroke be from spine to edge?
3) There could be scenarios where the spine might need to be aggressively sanded and the spine line might need to be disturbed. For instance, what if you had deepish black pitting (devil's spit) along the spine?
As it stands, now, my 190+ year-old I.Barber 7/8" stub-tail blade is little more than (at best?) a shiny paperweight.You can have everything, and still not have enough.
I'd give it all up, for just a little more.
-
The Following User Says Thank You to JBHoren For This Useful Post:
Bordee (02-23-2014)
-
02-23-2014, 06:03 AM #2
- Join Date
- May 2010
- Posts
- 4,562
Thanked: 1263This is the only part of what you've said that I disagree with...no need to toss such a nice blade aside and not give it use. Try using a couple of layers of tape when honing it...you may be surprised at what that may do. Although not ideal, it may just be the solution...I've seen many blades where tape can be your friend and still lead you to a fine shaver
-
02-23-2014, 06:10 AM #3
- Join Date
- Dec 2013
- Location
- Phoenix
- Posts
- 312
Thanked: 40
-
02-23-2014, 06:41 AM #4
- Join Date
- Jun 2007
- Location
- North Idaho Redoubt
- Posts
- 26,987
- Blog Entries
- 1
Thanked: 13234Math usually solves these issues rather well...
On a 6/8 size razor one layer of electrical tape changes the Bevel angle about .67° not 1° but a little over 1/2 of 1°
Now there is a formula that with simple measurements gives you the ACTUAL bevel angle of your razor...
(2 * asin(.181 / (2 * .620)) * 180) / pi = 16.786646
the .181 was the width of the spine
the .620 was the height of the blade to the Hone line
Now measure the blade and find out the bevel angle, that will dispel your fear of ruining a razor... I doubt you changed the angle even 1° with all your sanding...
ps: this is a Google safe formula ie: just plug in your numbers and copy and paste it to google and hit search the answer will magically appear...Last edited by gssixgun; 02-23-2014 at 06:45 AM.
-
02-23-2014, 07:01 AM #5
If that is a paperweight, I'll give you 10$ for it
If you hone with tape, you wouldn't notice this.
If you hone without tape, you'll get that line back. The demarcation is gone because it is ever so slightly rounded. Put it on the hone and it will be back. And as Glen said, from a honing pov, it doesn't change anything.
Now, in the interest of disclosure, it was me who wrote that document. I didn't have a razor like yours (I.e. with a wide spine), just the standard designs. However, the document says to sand the blade, not to sand the spine and the blade together, erasing the geometry. Btw, if you sand like that, the direction is edge to spine, and then when you pull back, edge to spine. Back and forth. Nowehere does it say that you sand OVER the spine demarcation line.
I would think that it is obvious that spine to edge, edge to spine refers to the direction. It doesn't tell you that you should sand away the spine itself. Just like a north-south route doesn't run from the north pole to the south pole.Til shade is gone, til water is gone, Into the shadow with teeth bared, screaming defiance with the last breath.
To spit in Sightblinder’s eye on the Last Day
-
-
02-23-2014, 02:41 PM #6
- Join Date
- Nov 2006
- Location
- Greenacres, FL
- Posts
- 2,881
Thanked: 599There are any number of sayings in American English that are pertinent to this discussion; one which is well-known teaches that "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Another says that "A picture is worth a thousand words." But my favorite is this one: "Never assume -- when you do, it makes an ass out of u and me."
You can have everything, and still not have enough.
I'd give it all up, for just a little more.
-
02-23-2014, 03:41 PM #7
As i see it, 1000-grit and higher sanding is only polishing, not shaping. Methinks shaping is something done way on down there 320 and below.
I use a wine cork.
and tape for honing.Buttery Goodness is the Grail
-
02-23-2014, 03:51 PM #8
The fact that Bruno, Glen, and Robert say that the blade can be successfully honed with tape, to compensate for the wear, or without tape to bring the honing flat back, would indicate to me that it is not a paperweight after all. IME hone wear is many times a cosmetic issue more than a deal breaker, depends on the extent. Taking into account the vast experience of the aforementioned gentlemen with honing/restoring and actually in Bruno's case forging razors, I would try what they suggest, one way, with tape, or the other, sans tape. YMMV.
Be careful how you treat people on your way up, you may meet them again on your way back down.
-
02-23-2014, 04:44 PM #9
-
02-23-2014, 02:11 PM #10
- Join Date
- Nov 2006
- Location
- Greenacres, FL
- Posts
- 2,881
Thanked: 599As I see it, the issue is not the minute change in angle caused by rounding the spine edge; rather, it's that the new non-edge is no longer uniformly straight: it's now wavy. The spine edge on a new, or well taken-care-of razor, is straight for a practical reason -- not only for esthetic value -- it keeps the blade edge lying flat on the honing surface; this one doesn't... not anymore. And yes, the esthetics of a straight razor with a crisp spine edge are clearly superior; if not, why all the fuss about "hone wear"?
You can have everything, and still not have enough.
I'd give it all up, for just a little more.