Thread: Is there a way to fix a warped edge on a straight razor?

Hello,
I am new here and was wondering if there's a way to correct a warped edge? I have an old Cracker Jack straight razor that is warped a little about a half inch from the tip and the warp is about a 1/4 of inch or so long. The razor is in very nice shape and is shave ready thanks to Lynn but,
being warped, it dosen't shave very well. It "skips" over areas when I shave with it. The part of the edge that is not warped shaves real nice. Any advice would be great!! Thank you!!

Probably not, you run the risk of breaking/damaging the blade if you try to 'bend' it back.

I just want to see what the masters have to say on the matter.

Good luck,

Enjoy the ride.

Thanks for the reply Ironsidegnr!! I definitlley don't want to break it.

I also have a dovo with a slight warp at the tip, likely from a drop. So i have been thinking about this as well. Although i can sharpen and shave just fine. The sharpening is a little difficult however, what i do is not change tape after the course stone so that the tape shapes in such a way that the edge remains in contact with the stone. Odd but it works. Also when i strop i have to kinda rock the razor from heel to toe,so i can strop all the edge, found that out after a while cause when i shaved the toe felt like it wasn't stopped while the rest felt good.

I've thought about a very slowly progressing clamp to straighten out the edge. giving the metal time to bend and adjust.

Anyway I'd be interested in any ideas about straightening the edge. Without risk.

Originally Posted by 111Nathaniel

I also have a dovo with a slight warp at the tip, likely from a drop. So i have been thinking about this as well. Although i can sharpen and shave just fine. The sharpening is a little difficult however, what i do is not change tape after the course stone so that the tape shapes in such a way that the edge remains in contact with the stone. Odd but it works. Also when i strop i have to kinda rock the razor from heel to toe,so i can strop all the edge, found that out after a while cause when i shaved the toe felt like it wasn't stopped while the rest felt good.

I've thought about a very slowly progressing clamp to straighten out the edge. giving the metal time to bend and adjust.


Anyway I'd be interested in any ideas about straightening the edge. Without risk.

Thanks for the reply!! I was also thinking about doing that but, I was wondering if I could to apply some heat to the razor while clamping it. I don't know if this would help or not. I can't really shave with mine too much, it leaves patches of hair where the warp is or isn't depending on which side of my face I am shaving. It's a shame too because the razor is nice and sharp!!

Originally Posted by 111Nathaniel

. . .
I've thought about a very slowly progressing clamp to straighten out the edge. giving the metal time to bend and adjust.

Anyway I'd be interested in any ideas about straightening the edge. Without risk.

The edge of a razor is hardened, high-carbon steel. It will take years to change shape under clamping pressure (if it _ever_ changes).

You'd have to push it just past its "elastic limit", and wait for the micrograins to re-align. It will be a long wait.

Charles

The edge of a razor is hardened, high-carbon steel. It will take years to change shape under clamping pressure (if it _ever_ changes).

You'd have to push it just past its "elastic limit", and wait for the micrograins to re-align. It will be a long wait.
[QUOTE]

(My words Exactly!!)

Perhaps you could simply learn to live with it and adjust your shaving technique? One of the things I like about straight razors is that you get 3 dimensions of angle adjustment with them. So when the tip leaves hair you could lift the heel away from your face, and on the other side you could do the opposite. In fact I've found I prefer to shave this way, rather than have the entire edge hitting the skin all at once - it is a bit safer around tricky areas.

Good luck.

James.

Study the way the light hits the warped edge (or try with a straight edge). If the warp is more severe at the edge than further in the blade, it might be worth honing it down into a slightly smaller blade. I did this with a 7/8 J Rodgers full hollow and though it did not entirely eliminate the warp, I managed to get back enough into the blade and only lost less than a couple mm and toned down the warp to almost undetectable. It shaves better and hones much easier and now gives me a shave I would have expected from a good maker.

I could have taken off more and probably eliminated it entirely but found a good compromise. Make sure not to lose any spine and use tape.

Thanks guys for all your advice and help!! I have a straight razor that I use for regular shaving besides this one. I'll just use this one for display.