I Made A Bad Mistake.

First, I'm new to the forum and new to razors. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your community.

Four days ago I inherited my Grandfather(s) Wade & Butcher razor. It has been in the family since around 1825. I felt that it needed some cleaning and polishing. I damaged the edge and my heart fell on the ground. Many great men used this razor and it lasted 190 years or so. I managed to destroy it in only four days. I have been torn all day on this issue and deserve whatever you hit me with.

Please tell me if there is a professional anywhere in the United States that can repair my razor. Photos are below.

Thank you,
Hirlau

http://i762.photobucket.com/albums/x...adeButcher.jpg

http://i762.photobucket.com/albums/x...deButcher2.jpg

Well it's not pretty but the good news is it can probably be fixed:)
It'll need to be honed just past the chips. Check out the classifieds for honing services.

Mistakes happen. This is why I regularly recommend that beginners avoid learning to shave with or restore family heirlooms. Oh well, it happened. It's done and it's time to move on.

Fortunately the edge damage is relatively minimal. It CAN be honed out and brought back to being a shaver. Once you get it back from being repaired/honed, put it away until you have had a great deal of practice with other, less sentimentally valuable, razors.

I know you're feeling like poop about now. 'Very sorry.

There are good bladesmiths out there. It'll be okay. To continue, my perfect hindsight would be to buy from classifieds or preferably from some of the private guys/vendors. 'Sounds like sales pump, but it's actually the cheapest way to have a shot at quality that will satisfy. I have no dog in the fight - no financial interest at all. There are blades on the boards that are wonderful and super cheap - $30-60. Also, there's a link to a map of forum members in your area. I just finished a pm to a member in my area (Pacific North Wet), volunteering the use of my gear at my place. Tutoring for the less experienced, chance to try gear without going broke, learning what you like best before pulling out your wallet.

After a while, you'll take that lovely blade in hand and know you know how to treat it right.

I think it can be fixed, but its going to take a bit more work than just honing it out

it can be fix and we have a lot people will do so.
check classified member services and don't make same mistake again please.

She was shipped out today, to be fixed by one of our forum members. I will post an update when she returns.

Thanks to everyone for the advice.

Its a very nice looking razor. Question how did you manage to chip it.

I hoped no one would ask; I was using a small dremel cotton polishing pad, I touched the edge briefly. The sharp edge bit into the cotton pad. I'm lucky that it did not go deeper.

Actually, you were lucky that you were not badly hurt. You could have lost an eye or worse. For you and anyone else using a dremel on a straight, PLEASE always remember to pause before you turn on the dremel and approach the blade and ask yourself this question:

Which way is the dremel turning?

The rotation should always be in the direction of spine to edge, and NEVER edge to spine.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hirlau

I hoped no one would ask; I was using a small dremel cotton polishing pad, I touched the edge briefly. The sharp edge bit into the cotton pad. I'm lucky that it did not go deeper.

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I wish I could say ive never done that. I broke a very nice French point boker and I did catch a bit of the blade in the cheek. I hate learning the hard way.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hirlau

I hoped no one would ask; I was using a small dremel cotton polishing pad, I touched the edge briefly. The sharp edge bit into the cotton pad. I'm lucky that it did not go deeper.

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Dont feel too bad, most of us have done the same!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TrilliumLT

I hate learning the hard way.

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There's an easy way? Why didnt someone tell me!?

Yup, been there done that, I blew off the tip of my favorite shaver with just one more pass with the dremel !!!!!!!!! Now i polish by hand.

Generally a Dremel is the fastest way to destroy something you care about. I guess they have their place, but sometimes trying to take a shortcut comes back to bite you. Nice razor by the way, at least it is in good enough shape to salvage and use again.

The Dreaded Dremel ...Strikes Again!!


I think most of us here been there and done that...I use to think the guys on here exaggerated the evils of the Dreaded Dremel until I sent a very dull blade zipping past my shoulder. (That wheel is dangerous around the edge....it's equally dangerous around the shoulder and the toe of the blade... :w)

Very sorry it was a heirloom piece, but glad it was only as bad as it was. I literally gasped when the picture loaded and spend several seconds looking for a crack/split. You're lucky, now go to it and try again.;)

My heart goes out to you.
I ruined a razor or two with a dremel (didn't learn the first time) and felt terrible, and they weren't heirlooms.
Glad to hear someone is going to fix it for you.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Utopian

Actually, you were lucky that you were not badly hurt. You could have lost an eye or worse. For you and anyone else using a dremel on a straight, PLEASE always remember to pause before you turn on the dremel and approach the blade and ask yourself this question:

Which way is the dremel turning?

The rotation should always be in the direction of spine to edge, and NEVER edge to spine.

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As someone who frequently forgets to do this while using a sanding drum, this is good advice. I'd also like to add eye protection and a cheap dust mask to your advice.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bharner

As someone who frequently forgets to do this while using a sanding drum, this is good advice. I'd also like to add eye protection and a cheap dust mask to your advice.

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Agreed, except for the cheap dust mask part. If you want to play with these toys, please spring for an expensive (high quality) dust mask.