Thread: Getting out a chip

Originally Posted by YesSheDoes!

Well, what I left out (due to being pressed for time--I do have a life outside of straight razors) was that I'd started on the 1,000 stone, with no visible results after about 10-15 minutes.

I'm not real good at pictures...that's why I'm a pro copywriter!

I hate to tell you this but I have spent an hour over a 1K, more then a few times. I am super careful when it comes to setting a bevel. The steel must be uniform through the edge. It must be in line with the spine. The bevel must be at the same angle all the way along the edge. I don't think, that a micro chip will come out on the 4K, I don't think that spine wear won't hurt. For me to be satisfied with the finished edge I have to be happy with the first step. For me, if it starts right it has a much better chance finishing right.

Originally Posted by heavydutysg135

If you sharpened the razor with a 45 degree angle on a 220 grit stone it is going to take a very long time and a lot of metal to get the bevel and edge back.

Well, I was thinking I'd have to regrind the bevel anyway, or do a new bevel.

This is a dedicated practice razor--came in a grab-bag deal from ebay.

Originally Posted by Philadelph

If you get Bill Ellis' restoration cd, it will tell you everything you need to know to start.

That sounds great--where can I get ahold of one?

www.billysblades.com

click "Straight razor cd" you can't miss it.

Originally Posted by YesSheDoes!

Well, what I left out (due to being pressed for time--I do have a life outside of straight razors) was that I'd started on the 1,000 stone, with no visible results after about 10-15 minutes.

If you cannot spare a couple of hours per razor, then razor restoration is not for you. Sorry, but that's the way it is.
It's not like I don't have anything better to do with my time, so if there would be multiple ways of achieving the same results, I'd pick the fastest.
But still I find myself spending hours and hours on handsanding, because that is the way to get the best results.

I recently dremeled the destroyed edge of a 6/8 hollow ground to a 5/8 width.
turning that stump into a decent edge took me between 2 and 3 hours on the DMT 325 grit.

The amount of damage you did so for, you would at least need an hour to undo it all on a 1K.
These things take time. Bill's CD will help (or so I am told, I don't have it) but it will not magically make more time for you.

Originally Posted by Bruno

If you cannot spare a couple of hours per razor, then razor restoration is not for you. Sorry, but that's the way it is.

Ah. Then it's probably only cost-effective for me when I really want something custom for myself. I do not mean to sound arrogant at all, but being the owner of 2 businesses, the only way I SURVIVE and support our household and pay our bills is to constantly think in terms of the cost of my time. My copywriting rate is $150, so my thought process runs, "Let's see...I could spend 3 hours restoring a $20 ebay razor, or buy something similar for $300 and that would be a net better deal...while I spend those 3 hours writing copy and earning $450."

So sue me, I'm a great businesswoman! But my family ain't ever going hungry...

Oh, wait, I know what I'll do--I'll hire Y'ALL to do my restoration work! That way, we all win!

OK, now that this particular razor is file-work-practice food for fun...next topic? This one's dead!

Originally Posted by YesSheDoes!

Ah. Then it's probably only cost-effective for me when I really want something custom for myself. I do not mean to sound arrogant at all, but being the owner of 2 businesses, the only way I SURVIVE and support our household and pay our bills is to constantly think in terms of the cost of my time. My copywriting rate is $150, so my thought process runs, "Let's see...I could spend 3 hours restoring a $20 ebay razor, or buy something similar for $300 and that would be a net better deal...while I spend those 3 hours writing copy and earning $450."

So sue me, I'm a great businesswoman! But my family ain't ever going hungry...

Oh, wait, I know what I'll do--I'll hire Y'ALL to do my restoration work! That way, we all win!

OK, now that this particular razor is file-work-practice food for fun...next topic? This one's dead!

Well, I live just down the road from you in San Antonio. So any work you need done would have a quick turn around.

Originally Posted by YesSheDoes!

So sue me, I'm a great businesswoman!

There's a difference between business and a hobby. The hobby you do because you enjoy it, not because you're saving money. In fact, the opposite is generally the case. I've probably sold several dozen razors here -- all at a small fraction of what I would have to charge if I applied the same rate that I earn at my profession. I do it for the satisfacation of creating something useful and nice looking out of raw wood and ancient steel.

Originally Posted by Kyle76

There's a difference between business and a hobby. The hobby you do because you enjoy it, not because you're saving money. In fact, the opposite is generally the case. I've probably sold several dozen razors here -- all at a small fraction of what I would have to charge if I applied the same rate that I earn at my profession. I do it for the satisfacation of creating something useful and nice looking out of raw wood and ancient steel.

Ditto.

I did a restoration for someone for 50$, and it took me nearly 20 hours.
I did it because I like restoration as a hobby.

I have been a contractor for 10 years, at 650 euros per day, but those rates have no relation to the time spent on hobbies.
Even blade masters like Joe and Robert charge very modest prices because they like doing it outside of their day job.

Anyway, if you don't have the time to resotre razors, there are always people like us who do