Edge question?

[Bear_Blade]

For a straight razor, I see a lot have a slight hollow or curve on the spine, some have a near matching curve on the edge. I also see some near perfectly straight. Is one or the other advantageous? I see some "smiling razors" are carrying an exaggerated curve or a full smile, this I understand is the intent. But its the very slight curve I am curious about compared to a perfectly straight edge. What is easier to sharpen, easier or more comfortable to use? Need I be concerned with trying to make a perfectly straight edge? I like the look of a slight curve.

What are your thoughts?

 

[Seraphim]

Slight smile is more comfortable to use and slightly more difficult to hone.

 

[global_dev]

Don't try to straighten a smile, especially if the spine matches.

 

[jpcwon]

Don't try to straighten a smile, especially if the spine matches.

+1; if the razor has a smile then you'll want to try and take that into consideration when honing. I usually do long, sweeping, semi-circular x-strokes (tough to describe) which helps to maintain that smiling edge. Here's a Wade & Butcher I just got done honing. It has a curved spine, but a straight edge when I received it. I did my best to try and add a very slight smile to the edge to match the spine.

 

[Kentos]

Smilers are pretty had to hone evenly across the whole blade. They do shave nicely when you dial them in since they have a little bit of the guillotine stroke built into them. Kind of like getting sliced by a straight long sword vs a scimitar.