Thread: Wade and Butcher - ouch - crack in blade

Checked the crack gain on both sides of the razor,and used a straight edge for guidance. Found it stopped (at least what I could see with the naked eye) about 1/8" below the level of the tang. Marked out a shape to grind out to and decided to give it a go grinding the blade carefully.
As they say nothing ventured nothing gained, so with heart in mouth clamped the blade into my vice grips touched it to the grinder at about 45 degrees angle a few seconds at a time, and very carefully cut away the damaged area.
Heeding the caution of so many here stopped and checked heat buildup each time I stopped, thankfully it did not go past being a little warm to the touch. After about 10 minutes the rough shaping bit was done. I saw no sign of the crack so decided to do more shaping work.
Clamped the blade in the bench vice and spent about 30 minutes shaping out the blade some more - used the dremel with a small drum sanding wheel and a light touch on the metal - it seemed to work out OK with the rougher parts now smoothed out.
Next will be the hand filing work to take the burrs of and finalize the new blade shape. That's a job for another day as the wife informs me it's time to stop playing with razor shaped objects and give her some help getting dinner sorted out.
Will post some pics later time permitting.

So far so good, may end up a nice razor - or a shiny box opener. Take my chances.

After grinder front side - marked line shows where to stop, went a bit deep at one point.


Back view after grinder


Front view after sanding drum work


Back view after sanding drum

Not bad. You a brave man.

Without the stabiliser will be more flexible now but a good learning tool for a light touch on the hone & a flat angle on the face.

Originally Posted by DVW

Not bad. You a brave man.

Not sure about the brave thing mate.
I'm treating this as a new learning experience and expect that I can use knowledge gained for future repairs/restores.
Maybe I just got a bit lucky with this one, long way to go yet.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Without the stabiliser will be more flexible now but a good learning tool for a light touch on the hone & a flat angle on the face.

Thanks for the tip Oz, must make sure to mute those points at heel and toe of the razor.

I had to do that recently to one of my razors that I found at a flea market and got for the princely sum of $3.00, it's a Buerger Bro's of Denver CO made by J. A. Henckels. It had a chunk missing out of the heal and so I just said " to heck with it" and started grinding away at it until I had a nice transition that pretty much matched the French point. I honed it up and stropped it with no problems and have shaved with it several times since. I hadn't noticed a lot of flex but then again I don't hammer on a blade when honing. Not meaning to say anyone here does either.

Originally Posted by DVW

Not bad. You a brave man.

Well, not really. That blade was a goner to begin with. At worst it could have broken and it would still be as unusable as it was to begin with. That's why restoring a blade that is essentially worthless is a good idea for beginning restorers. You get to learn new things and if it should go wrong, no need for tears.

Thanks Bruno.

This blade owes me very little which is a good thing. This is my first time trying this kind of fix - I am always willing to learn something new and this is no exception. The support and tips from the forum members always helps keep me focused on what needs to be done. It's always a pleasure to check in here, thanks everyone.

Originally Posted by Bruno

Well, not really. That blade was a goner to begin with. At worst it could have broken and it would still be as unusable as it was to begin with. That's why restoring a blade that is essentially worthless is a good idea for beginning restorers. You get to learn new things and if it should go wrong, no need for tears.

Originally Posted by RickyBeeroun222

Thanks for the tip Oz, must make sure to mute those points at heel and toe of the razor.

Did that with my E.A. Berg, Rick.
Took too much steel off in the restore & ended up with a very floppy heel so ground it off.