Thread: Clipping the Toe

So a few weeks ago I took a longish trip across town for an estate sale, largely based on a single, poor picture of four straight razors. Unsurprisingly they were in sadder shape than I'd have liked but I walked away with one, which means that the trip wasn't completely wasted. When I got it it still had a set of rather trashed, plastic scales on it but this morning it took a dive off a counter so you only get pics of the blade itself.

Yep, its ugly. With a good-sized chip out of the toe and substantial hone wear, not to mention black spots on the edge that concern me, it's never going to be a beauty queen and that's fine because I've got all of $4 invested in it. My plan is to use it as a learning experience, if I can get it to shave at the end I'll feel like I've accomplished something. If not then maybe I'll learn something while spending a minimal amount of money.

Since taking the pics I've taken a bit of steel wool and oil to the blade to remove what surface rust I can. This was actually a bit encouraging so I'm ready to move onto the next chore, clipping that toe. That's why I'm here...

I'm using my last week of freedom before the start of the school year by making a trip to the lake. No, I'm not going to spend much time out on, or in, the water but concentrate most of my time in my father's workshop. Since his passing my mother has made it her habit to dump her crap into what is now my shop (which is a serious bone of contention I might add) so I'm going to be trying to clean up a bit. Outside of that I have a few small projects of my own and this ugly little razor to play with. Once the weekend comes my lovely wife will be joining me and I'll actually rest and recreate with her.

I know that some of the guys here in the workshop use a cutoff wheel on a grinder, or Dremel, to shorten a blade. I actually have access to a horizontal band-saw which is the ideal tool for slicing through steel. The worry I have is heat since the saw still runs at a significant speed and having the blade clamped down makes it a bit tougher to keep cool.

My thought is to clamp the blade between two blocks of soft wood, possibly balsa, that I will soak in water for a few hours prior to cutting. I've also considered clamping the wet blocks and blade together and sticking the whole thing in the fridge or freezer to lower the initial temp even further. I'm new at all of this so I eagerly await the more experienced members around here to tell me that what I'm contemplating is questionable.

Have at it, gents!