How large a chip can be removed from a blade?

[Lavaine]

As the title says. What is the practical limit to the size of chip that can be honed out of a blade? I was in an antique shop last week and saw a Boker King Cutter. In really nice shape, with a reasonably shiny, corrosion free blade and decent looking scales. Then I saw "The Chip". Near the toe and quite large, maybe 1/16" wide and the same high. It was large enough that it extended above the bevel. Is a blade like this worth considering for repair? More specifically, is a blade like this worth sending out for repair? I'm guessing that even if it is salvageable, the hours of work involved in honing the chip out might make a repair financially unreasonable.

[Utopian]

A razor with a chip that only extends to the width of the current bevel is likely still salvageable. It actually doesn't take hours to hone it out with the right toys. Also, if it is so close to the toe, you'd have the option of not honing the entire edge to the same degree--you could just hone a smile onto the toe. This would retain the edge on the rest of the blade.
If you'd like more specific help with it, you can send me a PM.

[leighton]

As the title says. What is the practical limit to the size of chip that can be honed out of a blade? I was in an antique shop last week and saw a Boker King Cutter. In really nice shape, with a reasonably shiny, corrosion free blade and decent looking scales. Then I saw "The Chip". Near the toe and quite large, maybe 1/16" wide and the same high. It was large enough that it extended above the bevel. Is a blade like this worth considering for repair? More specifically, is a blade like this worth sending out for repair? I'm guessing that even if it is salvageable, the hours of work involved in honing the chip out might make a repair financially unreasonable.

My rule is "if its not worth the time it would take to remove that chip, then its not worth saving the blade."

Like Utopian said, I will pretty much always save a blade that has a chip extending only into the bevel. If it goes beyond the bevel, I think long and hard whether or not I want to expend the effort. Factors that go into my consideration are: width of blade, hollowness, rarity of razor, spine wear.

[English]

If you remove 1/16" of the blade away to undertake the repair and lets say the blade has had 1/16" of honing ware in its previous life that could mean that a 5/8" blade will become a 4/8" blade.

Not so bad you might say. Well it isn't quite as simple as that. The blade will physically measure 4/8". But the geometry will not be the same and the feel will not be the same. (Ofcourse this doesn't matter if you like the feel of the repaired razor).

It is my view that 1/8" ware is the point at which I would say the blade has come to the end of its life or to refresh such a blade, honing won't do it, but a regrind is necessary.

A regrind would create a 4/8" razor but with everything in the correct proportions.

To put this into perspective, if you buy a new razor and treat it properly, it should last your lifetime.

The ding you are talking about is eqivalent ware of about 25 years normal maintenace (on the toe).

[Lavaine]

Update:
I decided to buy this razor. It wasn't all that expensive, and at the very least I can practice on it, and maybe salvage the scales. I figure it is probably a good candidate to be ground to a round point.
http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=18399
Other than the chip, the blade appears to be in good condition. The olive scales are straight, crack-free and tight. The only problem with the scales is from where a price tag was previously affixed to the scales. The ink bled through onto the scales, and you can now see the outline of the price tag, and the price clearly visible on the scales. Any ideas how to clean this?

[leighton]

No, its a good candidate to get a new bevel. Looks like rust/pitting in the current bevel, so you'd have to fix that anyway, and by that point, might as well go all the way up to the chip.

[ambrose]

Looks like a good candidate to me. :thumbup1: