Thread: Need a Buffing Machine Recommendation Please

Wouldn't a dremmel tool work well for this?

Originally Posted by Str8Shooter

Wouldn't a dremmel tool work well for this?

On a small scale, yes. However, it can be more dangerous and more likely to overheat a blade.

Originally Posted by Utopian

On a small scale, yes. However, it can be more dangerous and more likely to overheat a blade.

How hot is too hot? I use it on firearms often.

If it feels hot to the touch, then that's too hot. The thinness of the steel means that it takes very little friction to overheat it.

Edit: Actually, I should correct that. If it feels hot to the touch, then it's on its way to being too hot. Because that transition can occur so quickly, you should cool the blade when it feels hot so that you prevent it from becoming too hot, whatever that is.

I use a Dremel for cleaning up and buffing my razors on occasion.
I use a "burst" technique to avoid too much heat.
That means short intervals of buffing, before the blade gets time to cool off.
I never go above 60-70 degrees Celsius, about 150-170F.
I know that is way within the limits of hurting the temper, but as they say, better safe than sorry

You will have to excuse my newbie ignorance. I look at straight razors somewhat like my knives. They are metal that has been heat treated to achieve some level of rockwall hardness. I would think that as long as I keep it under 200ish F I should be ok. Is it something with the thin edge that lowers this? Again I'm used to talking about steel like S90V, S30V, 154CM, ZDP-189, 440C etc... Granted these are types of stainless steel. Not high-carbon.

Originally Posted by Str8Shooter

I would think that as long as I keep it under 200ish F I should be ok.

You are correct. The main difference with the thin steel is that there isn't as much material to absorb heat, so it heats up much faster. The transition from feeling hot to being way too hot happens pretty rapidly.

Originally Posted by Str8Shooter

You will have to excuse my newbie ignorance. I look at straight razors somewhat like my knives. They are metal that has been heat treated to achieve some level of rockwall hardness. I would think that as long as I keep it under 200ish F I should be ok. Is it something with the thin edge that lowers this? Again I'm used to talking about steel like S90V, S30V, 154CM, ZDP-189, 440C etc... Granted these are types of stainless steel. Not high-carbon.

The edge of your razor is so thin that it will disperse heat incredibly quickly. This means that the amount of energy, heat, passing through the metal is much higher than you can feel by touching it-- it is there, and gone, and the temper ruined long before the rest of the razor is anywhere near 200 degrees...

Basically, you want to handle that razor like it's your only kidney.