Thread: The tiniest of chip or nick ....

I have a blade on a vintage razor that has a single very tiny chip in the edge bevel, not even into the entire bevel, but noticeable to the discerning eye. The question is: what stone needs to be used to re-bevel the edge and work past that tiny chip? I'm assuming something about a 1K? Does one tape the spine in order to do this? Is it something someone can do successfully as a first timer?

Any help most appreciated....

bill

What hones do you have, how much experience have you at using them, and how much do you value your razor, are the first questions that come to mind.

Those tiny chips you speak of are something I use a 1K to tackle. Others may do differently, but a visible chip to the eye, albeit small requires the removal of metal along the entire edge in order to be put right.

Some would tape the spine I imagine, but unless the chip was quite large or the razor had goldwash on the spine or was a wedge, I would personally not tape it in this circumstance regarding a tiny chip. Some would though, it is a personal thing.

I took out a small chip in an ebay acquisition today and used a light slurry on my king 800 which works for me as a 1K equivalent. 2 sets of 50 circles, followed by 20 X strokes and it was gone.

It is all to do with confidence and how you feel about doing it yourself. I would say go for it if the razor is inexpensive or you are not emotionally attached to it (we all know what that can be like!).

We just did this at the meet in Spokane yesterday. Gerrit's wife took a video of Glen repairing a chip in a blade. took all of maybe 6 minutes.

Hopefully the video turned out with enough clarity and I kept my mug out of the way!

Originally Posted by Scipio

Some would tape the spine I imagine, but unless the chip was quite large or the razor had goldwash on the spine or was a wedge, I would personally not tape it in this circumstance regarding a tiny chip. Some would though, it is a personal thing.

It is all to do with confidence and how you feel about doing it yourself. I would say go for it if the razor is inexpensive or you are not emotionally attached to it (we all know what that can be like!).

FWIW (from a newbie) --

a) Yes, you can do it. I suggest using a 10x loupe to see when it's _really_ gone.

b) You'll have to re-hone, working up from 1K, as soon as the chip is gone.

c) I grind and hone with tape. I'd rather avoid adding more "hone wear" than already exists. It makes my bevel angle just a little bit greater than it would be without tape.

d) I agree with "if the razor is inexpensive or you are not emotionally attached to it". You _can_ damage the bevel -- you'll be re-building it. But you'll be doing this eventually, to _some_ razor or other, if you follow the "hobbyist" path. If you just want to shave, give it to a professional.

Charles