Thread: Variable Spine Thickness

When I was an ironworker, erecting structural steel, one of the sayings the old timer's used to speak if a new guy wanted to take too long doing something was, "We ain't building a watch." I guess the razor factories, if they are anything like factories I worked in as a teenager, where it is paid by piece work, not by the hour, have the same philosophy. Not saying it is 'right' just might be how it is.

I have had razors with variable spine thickness. I measure to see how many layers of tape I need or not as that measurement is one to be plugged into an equation to determine bevel angle. I just average the readings out and go with that, so far no problems. Yes, on a lot of razors I have to do gymnastics while honing because of flaws in the razor. Anything with a lot of handwork in it's manufacture will not be perfectly consistent.

Bob

The two I heard in heavy construction were: We ain't building a piano, and we ain't building the Taj Mahal.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

When I was an ironworker, erecting structural steel, one of the sayings the old timer's used to speak if a new guy wanted to take too long doing something was, "We ain't building a watch." I guess the razor factories, if they are anything like factories I worked in as a teenager, where it is paid by piece work, not by the hour, have the same philosophy. Not saying it is 'right' just might be how it is.

Originally Posted by WW243

The two I heard in heavy construction were: We ain't building a piano, and we ain't building the Taj Mahal.

First union ironwork job I had the guy said, "All I want to see is assh*les and elbows." The company motto was "If you can't do it, you can't stay."

"from toe to heel in mm: 6.72, 6.67, 6.59, 6.54, 6.56, and 6.66."

Simple fix:

6.72= one layer of tape
6.67= two layers of tape
6.66= three layers but the third one sliced in half
6.59= four layers of tape
6.56= five layers of tape
6.54= six layers of tape

Then add a layer over all those different taped sections, and you're all set!

You can strop with the same set-up and you might benefit from shaving with the tape on as well.

Make sure to make a note of at what point on the spine how many levels of tape were used.

Piece of cake!

thats 0.18mm or about 7 thou overall about the thicknes of scale bolsters
not much but would definately be noticable after honing but yeh 1 layer of tape would have hid that for sure

that could from not having a clean flat grinding stone before requaring the face maybe.

or maybe was it was a Monday or Friday made Razor

you know just off because it was a "not with it" Monday or "rushed & can't get out quick enough" Friday made item

I'm glad we have the whole 'gentleman's' thing going on here or I'd just tell you to Bl__ Me.

Originally Posted by ace

"from toe to heel in mm: 6.72, 6.67, 6.59, 6.54, 6.56, and 6.66."

Simple fix:

6.72= one layer of tape
6.67= two layers of tape
6.66= three layers but the third one sliced in half
6.59= four layers of tape
6.56= five layers of tape
6.54= six layers of tape

Then add a layer over all those different taped sections, and you're all set!

You can strop with the same set-up and you might benefit from shaving with the tape on as well.

Make sure to make a note of at what point on the spine how many levels of tape were used.

Piece of cake!

I agree with Substance .007" of an inch is not that much in the grand scheme.Take a deep breath and just accept the imperfections of life.Oh I forgot were dealing with you. Har!!!!

I shudder to think of what I would find if I were to measure the spine widths of my vintage razors. And I think the mark of "someone who knows how to hone" is being able to just sit down with hones and a razor and get it shave ready. I don't know if it's my "they didn't do blah blah blah back in the day" mentality, or my "just hone the damn thing" mentality, but, whatever it is, it works for me.

Hold the phone, this is from a tool maker who will pin and unpin a razor 10 times until it is PERFECT!

Originally Posted by Tarkus

I agree with Substance .007" of an inch is not that much in the grand scheme.Take a deep breath and just accept the imperfections of life.Oh I forgot were dealing with you. Har!!!!