Thread: Grinding down a blade

G'day,

I tried the search engine but couldn't find what I was looking for. This W&B blade width differs. Would this be from poor honing over the years or like this from factory?

I'm interested in restoring it as much as I can and I'm unsure whether or not to grind it to the same width all the way along or keep as is? (I do have a few nicely restored razors with blades that get wider towards the toe)



Thanks

My guess is that it was made that way. If it was from poor honing there would be heavy hone wear on the spine at the heel. It appears to have pretty even hone wear along the length of the spine from the photo. The razor looks to be in very good condition and should restore nicely.

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

My guess is that it was made that way. If it was from poor honing there would be heavy hone wear on the spine at the heel. It appears to have pretty even hone wear along the length of the spine from the photo. The razor looks to be in very good condition and should restore nicely.

Bob

I presumed that nearly all razors had an even blade width with from spine to edge and that only ones which have a differing width are from peoples personal preference when doing restoration and/or fixing previous honing

Thanks

Would it be frowned upon to straighten it?

Undecided if I like it how it is or not

Originally Posted by Gimli

Would it be frowned upon to straighten it?

Undecided if I like it how it is or not

Basically it is your razor to with what you want. All I know is that I have seen blades that taper in either direction and people do shave with them. Is there a reason for you indecision?

Bob

Blades were factory made with tapers that went in either direction.

Just another thought to consider. If you modify the blade from it's factory taper then you are no longer restoring a razor as you've now changed the factory form.

Bob

I agree with Bob on this on. Looks to me to be the original shape and nothing wrong with it. Just another style they had. Ive seen plenty that way.

Originally Posted by Gimli

I presumed that nearly all razors had an even blade width with from spine to edge and that only ones which have a differing width are from peoples personal preference when doing restoration and/or fixing previous honing

It's true for post 1900 razors.
And at the same time it's almost always wrong with 1800-1810 razors.

You also have to consider that almost all 19th century razors are forged with a smile.

Originally Posted by Gimli

Would it be frowned upon to straighten it?

It's your razor indeed.

But well, why would you invest in such a nice piece in such a fine condition and then thing "meh, that's not how I like it".

If you want a different shape, better consider trading this one for one with a geometry you like.

And a last thing to take into account : you know for sure that the blade has been tempered and worked so that the current edge works fine, grinding it could bring some nasty surprises. I've had some cases when I could not produce and edge anymore on a razor because its original design had been tampered with

Originally Posted by Aggelos

And a last thing to take into account : you know for sure that the blade has been tempered and worked so that the current edge works fine, grinding it could bring some nasty surprises. I've had some cases when I could not produce and edge anymore on a razor because its original design had been tampered with

This is not something I had considered. Thanks for your input

I agree with Bob and Aggelos.

Shine it up, hone and shave!