Thread: Before or after

Would it be ok to hone before descaling a blade?

Honing should be the last thing you do to a blade .

I like to hone before just to check a few things.

1. Does the razor have good steel?
2. Are there any warps or geometry issues
3. With the above noted, is it worth whatever work I am about to do.

If the razor takes a good bevel and I think it is worth the work then I will de scale. However I will kill the edge on glass before to add some safety.

If your going to pull the scales, pull them. There's no sense in possibly damaging the edge, or yourself, during dismantling.

Question is...are you doing a light restoration/clean up, or the scales just need replaced

No offense to anyone or their methods. Personally I feel that if you are going to do as much restoration as removing scales you should be able to spot whether a blade is worthy of restoration before removing scales.

Sorry guys had a typo I meant before rescaling . As in the scales are already off

In that case repin the scales then hone. Too dangerous to try pinning a shave ready razor, plus you might bugger the edge when pinning.

Tight scales are required for honing I think. Always best to do minimal work to determine blade worthyness before rescaling. Requires a tight pivot, though.
I have some strong old scales I have used as a temporary home for the purpose.
In fact, beating on a blade with old scales as restoring is a winner if the replacements are to be really nice and esp fragile such as ivory pinned collarless.
We CAN change our mind and rescale a shaver with something more desirable. Caution is key there.
Some advanced techniques are required. Entirely possible

Originally Posted by Tathra11

In that case repin the scales then hone. Too dangerous to try pinning a shave ready razor, plus you might bugger the edge when pinning.

What Mick said