Thread: The Dremel learning curve

Well I broke out my dremel to give a final buff and shine to my blade.

Coated the buffing wheel in my blend of polishing paste and turned on the dremel to 2500 rpm.

When I turned it one I learned 2 things, 1 polishing paste travels very far when flung that fast and 2 beeswax melts at very low temp.

After I cleaned that up I just said to hell with it and kept going despite the beeswax melting. I then learned another thing. When then buffing wheel gets too close to the edge it catches and chips the blade.

Worse part is the buffing did nothing.

So I had to remove the chip in the heel about 1/16" square and rehone the razor.

I am now and forever more putting the dremel away. It may come out for scales and the like but not for blades.

What a learning curve.

Place the edge on a flat surface, holding the razor at a slight angle so the edge is touching the surface (I use a piece of wood) never, ever, ever, let the Dremel spin toward the edge, always away from the edge , spinning from spine to edge,,, Then be very, very, careful, but at least you will not wrap around the edge with the Dremel doing it this way....

I HATE DREMELS BTW !!!!! but if ya gotta use one that's the way to do it....

Originally Posted by singlewedge

It may come out for scales and the like but not for blades.

I think plastic (and other material) scales will melt/scorch at low temps too. Not as low as beeswax but I don't think you'd get much warning.

The Dremel...

Excellent tool in the right hands! but the most dangerous and damaging one when not used correctly.

I love my dremel but I know exactly what I'm doing and it takes some experience.

No matter what tool you end up using. Think safety first! Protect your eyes, fingers and lungs.

When I use a dremel for polishing a razor I never go perpendicular to the edge with buffing wheel (spine - edge), but I go parallel with the edge (heel - toe)...
The only place where I turn buffing wheel perpendicular to the edge is when I'm polishing the shoulder...
That way the chances to ruin an edge are minimal...
Hope this helps...

There's definitely a BIG learning curve. Thankfully, very thankfully, I've not paid as dearly as you have.

For others that might read this (since you've sworn off the dremel)...you can still catch the edge even if your wheel is running parallel to the edge. It's not as *easy* to do, but it can be done

I've gotten to where I do it like Glen suggests. Always be aware of the spin direction and work from spine to edge. With this method the only *nervous* area that's left for me is under the heel and around any jibbing...jimpping...crud, I forget what they're called. They'll grab that wheel from a mile away!!!


Just cause it's small doesn't mean it can't heat things up either. Be aware of the temp ALL the time.


I simply couldn't do restores without my dremel. I thrive on meticulous work, but I'm neither a monk or a poster-child for patience.