New Shaver: How delicate are these blades?

[D-R0CK]

I've bought a razor on Ebay hoping to have a more economical and comfortable shave, I've got plenty of experience sharpening knives, but no razors. The knife i ordered has some rust and pitting (but nothing close to the cutting edge.) So, can i put it in a rock tumbler, like i have with knife blades with a little crushed walnut? Or does a razor need more elbow grease to protect a more fragile blade?

 

[D-R0CK]

 

[cpio]

If that is a quality blade, do *NOT* put it into a rock tumbler. Use something like 0000 steel wool and a penetrating oil to remove the rust. Then follow some instructions on sharpening a straight razor.

 

[winnerdog]

I recommend to work on it fully by hand.
I once had a razor I was cleaning using a small, slow jewelers tool for polishing and slight sanding, and the edge got a major chip, when I was buffing the blade! ever wool pad at a some what high speed will be able to chip that blade.

 

[D-R0CK]

That's what i was afraid of! I'm confident I can sharpen the blade though. Is it some kind of heresy to replace the scales on this with some of my own? If sharpened to shave ready, cleaned up, and wood scales are put on, how is the value affected? Is it better to keep scales original and preserve patina?

 

[tgo-mdai]

I don't remember if using another website to answer your question is allowed. You can use a tumbler to clean up a razor.

http://straightrazorplace.com/workshop/18075-new-idea-experimentation.html

There is a razor long thread about success stories using a vibratory tumbler. The key is the medium you use and whether or not you load it with compounds.

m-

 

[unit]

There are numerous ways to restore a razor. Just do yourself a favor and do a lot of studying and reading before you start.

I would also recommend you have it honed by a pro (at least the first time). I have no doubt that many people can sharpen a razor, but far fewer can properly hone a razor to shave readiness. Shaving comfortably with a straight is hard enough for a new user, don't complicate the learning curve with a questionable edge.

Once you have solid technique and a great edge, there is no shave like it

 

[D-R0CK]

I don't remember if using another website to answer your question is allowed. You can use a tumbler to clean up a razor.

http://straightrazorplace.com/workshop/18075-new-idea-experimentation.html

There is a razor long thread about success stories using a vibratory tumbler. The key is the medium you use and whether or not you load it with compounds.

m-

That's a cool thread! Mine is more of a tumbler than a vibrator It worries me... Maybe I shouldn't. It's actually for polishing gems and stones. I do have access to a sandblasting cabinet, and I wonder if a soft walnut media wouldn't do well...

 

[D-R0CK]

I would also recommend you have it honed by a pro (at least the first time). I have no doubt that many people can sharpen a razor, but far fewer can properly hone a razor to shave readiness. Shaving comfortably with a straight is hard enough for a new user, don't complicate the learning curve with a questionable edge.

I would send it out but I bought a cheap razor partially to reduce the cost of shaving, and having it sharpened would suck that margin away very quickly. I'll try myself first, but I have a feeling you're right and I'll need more specialized equipment and training. Also, no offense, but I've found when running through this hobby that there seems to be a lot of hype and pretensions, so I'm trying to avoid those pitfalls, especially with a razor that cost me 20.00 shipped in the first place. Until i know more, i'm not prepared to accept the cost of a professional-esque honing.

 

[unit]

No offense taken.

There is hype and black magic. Truth is, a buttery edge can be achieved with very meager equipment and the right skills.

My fear for new guys is bad initial experience due to subpar equipment preventing the journey I have enjoyed.

Honing is one thing, restoring is quite another. The simple truth is, you will never know what a good shave ready edge is unless you have experienced one, and not many people can simply buy a razor, restore it, and hone it to shave ready on their first go.

Where are you? Can I help?

 

[D-R0CK]

No offense taken.

There is hype and black magic. Truth is, a buttery edge can be achieved with very meager equipment and the right skills.

My fear for new guys is bad initial experience due to subpar equipment preventing the journey I have enjoyed.

Honing is one thing, restoring is quite another. The simple truth is, you will never know what a good shave ready edge is unless you have experienced one, and not many people can simply buy a razor, restore it, and hone it to shave ready on their first go.

Where are you? Can I help?

I'm in southwest Washington state. I appreciate your help and the help of everyone on the site. My last hobby was hand making knives, so I really feel I have the skills and equipment needed to restore, it's the sharpening that I'm worried about. Additionally, it's not a Boker or a Wade&Butcher, so I'm not too concerned if I ugly it up.

 

[unit]

I'd recommend light tools and a light touch. Work slow and be careful not to bend or warp the blade.

Making it look nice is easy, restoring the edge is the tricky part. If it is straight it is less tricky

Power tools give fast results (that is not always a good thing).

 

[D-R0CK]

I think the blade is in decent shape already, but I suppose I'll find out when that package gets here I have hand tools. I'm just excited to get started! Working on projects like this is really enjoyable to me.