Swayback razor ?straight edge?

[kimfella]

I recently picked up a unnamed razor that has a slight curve to the spine.

When I sharpen it should I follow the curve (as it is now) or sharpen it straight?

Over 2 1/2" there is almost a 1/16" curve (approx 1/16" visible between razor and a straightedge, at the halfway point). The cutting edge also has a smile that almost but not quite matches the spine (maybe 3/64 difference, end to middle) It has been well used so I don't know if the curve is intentional or just careless honing. I'm even wondering if it a special purpose razor, (like some kind of hair shaper?).

Anyway it cleaned up much better than I thought with just toothpaste and some Silvo polish. Not perfect but enough that I want to sharpen it and see how well it shaves before I invest more cleaning time. So do I follow the existing smile or sharpen it straight?

I'm assuming since I want to use it I should make it straight, but if it is a special purpose razor that is supposed to have a smile I should maintain that shape. Since it has no markings I can't research it. I'd hate to straighten it only to have someone tell me " Oh wow, you've got a [RARE}.xxx.[/RARE]! Too bad you straightened it. No-one ever finds those and they're worth a mint is good condition!"

Second question: how do you clean and polish the part of the tang that is right at the pivot point (protected by the scales there)? The scales and pins are in good condition and I'd hate to have to take it apart if I don't have to.

 

[Seraphim]

Smiling razors shave great!

Don't straighten it out! You'll have to work at it a bit to get an even honing on there, but it's not super-difficult.

 

[mainaman]

here
hope this helps

 

[danjared]

I made that mistake this summer. That razor has a *lot* of wear now...

Smiling razors shave great!

Don't straighten it out! You'll have to work at it a bit to get an even honing on there, but it's not super-difficult.

 

[Malacoda]

Smiling razors shave great!

Don't straighten it out! You'll have to work at it a bit to get an even honing on there, but it's not super-difficult.

+1

With my course beard I find smiling blades give me a more comfortable shave. I'm assuming it's because the curve (smile) of the edge results in the energy of the blades motion being applied to fewer hairs at the start of the stroke (and also, as a result, longer lasting inertia through the entire stroke).

Anyhow, whatever the science behind, ditto to Seraphim's comment, don't straighten it out. Give the magic of the smiling blade a chance to win you over.

 

[kimfella]

here
hope this helps

Yes it does. Thanks.

I thought I knew what I was doing when I was honing, and it was just a matter of practicing to get good at it. But. I have been using an X stroke but at about a 65 to 70 degree angle. That just seemed natural. I didn't realize the angle generated a smile. I'll have to be more careful.

I had understood from most of what I've seen here that a smile was a bad thing. When would you want to use a smile rather than a straight edge? Is it simply a matter of preference? And if you do use a smiling razor do you need to develop a particular technique, e.g. shave with a 45 degree stroke, or an angled sweeping stroke?

If it is 'legit' to use a smiley and it isn't suicidal for me to learn on my own, then I probably will go ahead, since this razor looks quite nice with the swayed back, as if it was meant to have a curved cutting edge.

 

[leighton]

It is a matter of preference, but I think most people prefer it over a straight edge if they give the smile some time. No, theres no special technique.

I'm more worried about the razor and excessive hone wear/uneven edge than you cutting yourself. On a more serious note, its the same as shaving with a straight blade.

 

[r0ckrat]

... an X stroke but at about a 65 to 70 degree angle.

Uhm, can you clarify this remark? Blade angled off the hone at 65-70, or blade across the hone at 65-70?

There's no reason the angle across the hone will "cause" a smile. What will "cause" a smile is a rolling stroke, where you first hit the heel on the hone, then "roll" the blade to the toe as you move across the hone.

However, you should always be keeping the spine in contact with the hone at the same time, so you are basically laying the blade on the hone, not "maintaining an angle" like with a regular knife...