Thread: Scratch becomes a Crack

I have a Wade & Bucher near wedge, smiling edge, round tip, barber's notch, bone scales, a classic. It has a deep surface scratch where the round point transitions to the edge extending toward the spine. I noticed the scratch last week under the microscope but last night while resetting the bevel I exposed it to the edge and it looks like a crack waiting to run the length of the scratch. At this point the crack runs from the edge almost to the back of the bevel and based on the location and depth of the scratch I would say this is never going to hone out. If I were to reprofile the end to remove the scratch I would loose the barbers notch and shorten the blade a bit. I finished the honeing and it gave me a very smooth shave this morning. So my question; Is this razor ready for retirement or is it worth regrinding to a different profile? Any other suggestion are certainly welcome. Sorry I have no pictures but I don't have a digital microscope.

John

Just a regular pic as close as you can. followed by one with the crack colored with Marker

And an overall side shot after that to give an idea of perspective would really help

It isn't so much the micro pic but more about perceptive

If you decide to refrofile the blade by grinding be aware that you could make the crack substantially worse.
I recently modified the heel of a worn razor usinga diamond wheel on a lapidary machine that I have used many times before. As soon as the grinding wheel touched the edge a piece of metal close to the size of a pea broke away.
I had examined the edge prior and had not noticed any crack but I wonder if there was a scratch that the break followed.
Anyway I would use a method that would keep vibration down as much as possible.
A really fine grinding wheel and maybe even using clay or something similar on the blade to absorb some of the vibration.
Good luck with your WB.

A method of stopping the crack propagating would be to carefully stop drill/grind with a fine diamond bit a hole at the end of the crack. 3/32" is more than enough.

Depending on what Glen has to say, It may make a fine display peice.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Just a regular pic as close as you can. followed by one with the crack colored with Marker

And an overall side shot after that to give an idea of perspective would really help

It isn't so much the micro pic but more about perceptive

While taking these pictures I see that the scratch is acutally a crack, it is visible on both sides. You can see it best in the second pic. I would have to remove a fair amount of metal to get behind it. Thanks for any suggestions.

John

Just run it 'till it breaks. Of course if you think it may bite you than shoot it :<0) It looks like a pretty straight crack and I would guess it will keep going that way. No telling though, it may take the less route of resistance and head back at the toe. I had a hollow ground that had a crack like that and I thought i got the crack out grinding. It came back with a vengeance right down the path of the edge.

Honestly I know you are going to be surprised but I wouldn't do anything, the crack is in a Heavy Bladed razor, it most likely has been there for years (unless you recently dropped it) if it starts to run then grind it out a make a Clipped C style point and loose hardly anything.. The Clipped C is what you see on many of the older stub tails..
Unless you are using the very point for trimming I doubt you will ever touch skin with it either...

I guess I am saying "Wait and see", it is your razor and your face so ultimately it is your decision but that is my advice from seeing the pic...

I am comfortable using it until or unless it continues to grow. I have not dropped it so you are probably right that it has been there for a while. It looks a lot worse at 100X.

I watched your video on honing these razors and got it shaving sharp in about 45 minutes. Thanks for your help here and for the video lesson.

Just call it a character mark and wear a big grin when people say that you can't get a good shave from a razor with a crack in the blade.