sharpening de blades
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Lots of sharpening enthusiasts here, but I don't think you'll find too many concnetrating on DE blades. I don't doubt that you can extend their life with a variety of techniques, but they really are disposable.
If you want to sharpen, get yerself a straight.
If you want to sharpen, get yerself a straight.
Probably not, but if you're successful you'll be the first... There are enough fine quality blades that can be had for relatively cheap that trying to resharpen them is a bit futile. One of the ways of extending blade life (but not a lot) is palm stropping. Here's a YouTube video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ogq4wfpT7hc&feature=channel_page
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Unfortunately, I have enough things to keep sharp without having to sharpen DE blades. Considering their low cost, I can't imagine any effort would be worth the payback. However, if you find it enjoyable then I would encourage you to continue.
How about single edge blades?
The blade is much thicker and the razor would automatically set it to the right position in the razor.
Just thinking of a "really tough times" scenario.
The blade is much thicker and the razor would automatically set it to the right position in the razor.
Just thinking of a "really tough times" scenario.
Well, if you are thinking of sharpening single edge blades (which go for about $0.20 each) then times must be lean. You can sharpen them but, again, you're probably better off spending your time elsewhere.
Those sharpening machines were intended for old-style thicker DE blades, and won't do much for our modern thinner ones except ruin the edge and remove the coatings that actually keep the blade sharp.
Yes, this is very true. You'll degrade the blade and quality of your shave if you use them on your DE blades. Buy them as a simple curio rather than a useful device.
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Believe me, I'm talking really tough times.
Just a hypothetical. I have enough DE blades to last a lifetime.
If times were truly that tough, I think we would all be shaving with straights which can be kept sharp for an infinite amount of time, if you have the correct tools.
I'm working on a method, but don't have the DE blades to complete the testing as of yet.
I supposed I best buy a DE and some blades to see what's what....
Lately I've had this strange urge to get a DE. I sold mine off over a year ago, and haven't used one in almost two years....I had a Futur, which I had no complaints with, and I liked the heft on that baby, and the adjustability. Seems the EJ razors get alot of love on the forum.....
I supposed I best buy a DE and some blades to see what's what....
Lately I've had this strange urge to get a DE. I sold mine off over a year ago, and haven't used one in almost two years....I had a Futur, which I had no complaints with, and I liked the heft on that baby, and the adjustability. Seems the EJ razors get alot of love on the forum.....
Seraphim, there's a good reason why EJ razors are loved here.
As for sharpening a DE blade, someome told me a long time ago that you can sharpen one by rubbing it back and forth on a piece of glass. I've tried it a few times with modest success. It seems to take the accumulated crud off the blade, but only seems to get another couple of shaves out of the blade. I might try throwing some blades onto ultrafine sandpaper or a honing stone some time just to see what happens.
As for sharpening a DE blade, someome told me a long time ago that you can sharpen one by rubbing it back and forth on a piece of glass. I've tried it a few times with modest success. It seems to take the accumulated crud off the blade, but only seems to get another couple of shaves out of the blade. I might try throwing some blades onto ultrafine sandpaper or a honing stone some time just to see what happens.
I've been considering reproducing a (i think) 1920s blade sharpener, just to try it out 
Tom
Tom
Your going to need to go a lot finer then 2000 grit sandpaper, a 6000 grit fine finishing Japanese water stone and a Nagura block would probably be fine enough to do the trick.
Of course then you're using a $100 stone to hone $.25 blades.
Well, my method would employ using my straight razor lapping films (availabe down to 0.3 micron grit level), and wrapping those inside a glass, or bowl, and then rubbing the balde back and forth in there. Sort of a high tech take on the old curved glass DE "sharpeners". I would imagine the old glass item worked more like strop to straighten out irregularities, and not to actually hone or sharpen the baldes.
Pretty much just for fun. As has been said, the real benefit to a DE blade is the super glide given by the PFTE coating. But I am always screwing around with stuff anyhow...
Pretty much just for fun. As has been said, the real benefit to a DE blade is the super glide given by the PFTE coating. But I am always screwing around with stuff anyhow...
very fine stroping paste would work well i think there was annoter tread on here. it could improve some cheep blades like the darbys or merkers
treet still makes carbon steel blades
treet still makes carbon steel blades
to sharpin asr co walmart de blades got 20 shaves out of one wouldnt use it on plastic coated blades
You could always buy an old Lillicrap's hone on the bay and give that a try.
They were designed for extending the lives of old DE blades.
I have one, but I'm in the camp of those who believe that modern coated blades would not be served very well by this purpose.
But if it doesn't work for you, you have yourself a lovely paperweight!
They were designed for extending the lives of old DE blades.
I have one, but I'm in the camp of those who believe that modern coated blades would not be served very well by this purpose.
But if it doesn't work for you, you have yourself a lovely paperweight!
Hi,
While reading the thread I was wondering if anyone would mention glass. The old trick I've heard about involves a straight-sided glass tumbler or a shiny coffee cup (not matte finish). You turn the glass/cup on its side, put the blade in with the long side parallel to the vertical axis of the cup. Both cutting edges will be in contact with the walls of the cup. Then you put light pressure on the center of the blade (bowing it slightly) and rub it straight back and forth against the cup. Flip and repeat.
I doubt if anyone has done it since the Great Depression, but it you experiment with different diameters of cup and finger pressure, you might bet a few more shaves out of a blade. It's more of a stropping than a honing, I think.
Cheers,
Ian
This is the 10 to 1 hone made for de blades in the 40's. The inside the glass method duplicates this hone quite well.
But I must say that honing a modern de blade has to be for the fun and the challenge of it. Blades are too inexpensive to be worth the time.
View attachment 103718
Len
But I must say that honing a modern de blade has to be for the fun and the challenge of it. Blades are too inexpensive to be worth the time.
View attachment 103718
Len
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