Thread: big crack

I bought this old 8/8 wade butcher on ebay. On the picture I could not see there was a crack in the middle of the blade that goes about halfway between the edge and the spine.

Anyways I hand sanded it and polished it. And i figure i could shave with it. I haven't honed it yet.

Now i read on the forum here, that its kinda dangerous and that i shoudn't shave with such a blade because it could break ? I have my doubt since the spine is so massive on it. Is that so ? should i not shave with it ?

Post a picture of it and that will help people with giving you advice.

Most definitely do NOT shave with it. Even with a heavy spine , the blade can break causing havoc on you face. It is not worth the risk to use it and to do so would be very wreckless. Toss it up to a loss and keep going forward, you'll be happier and have kept you face pretty in the long run.

When I saw your thread title I thought of something completely different, and yet I still clicked the link. What is wrong with me.

As for the crack in your razor, I heard the same about it not being a good idea. I found an invisible crack halfway in to one of my restores just a month ago. It wasn't a W&B but I was just as disappointed and stopped the restore immediately.

I now use that blade for cel rot test. I cut the scales off of new acquisitions and put em in a bag with the cracked blade to see if I get rust on it for scales that are suspect.

I certainly would not shave with a cracked blade, what if hair ends up in the crack, it's going to be like shaving with an epilady.

Sorry, but I dont think it would matter how thick the spine is, the edge you are using will be razor thin and will flex and it will break sooner or later and it will do so on your face.

I agree. You never know but even if it didn't break I imagine it might be easier to cut yourself while doing a pass if the crack should move from one half or the other. If it is a good looking razor even with the crack make a wall hanger out of it. I used to have one in that condition wired to a piece of walnut.

You have no idea the danger and risk of getting scarred when trying to shave with a cracked or tear in the edge. If and when shaving the cracked edge moves itself out of alignment resulting in a un-straight edge, it will cut you so deep you'd be sorry for a very long time. Not worth risking a lifetime scar.

I know you have a lot of time and effort invested in it but it's just not worth the risk.

The spine may be thick but it's still just as brittle as any other blade -- AND now has a VERY easy path for a break to propagate along. That crack has already begun to follow the weakest path in the blade. A little force here, a little flexing there, a smidge of pressure during stropping or honing - they're all unavoidable. And they'll all cause it to grow - perhaps too slow to see with the nake eye over years of use... or so suddenly as to rip a gouge in your favorite strop -- or, far worse yet, your cheek -- in the blink of an eye. Only you can decide if you really want to take that risk.

Ok thanks for all the answer. Well I am glad I asked because I didn't think it would be any dangerous. It's unfortunate but i wont shave with it. Or maybe once carefully just to see what it would have been like