Thread: What are the odds I dinged my razor?

I was stropping post-shave this evening, and I heard a slight ring that sounded like the edge of my blade ticking off the metal clasp at the top of the strop. It was after I flipped to use the return stroke, so I'm pretty sure there was a glancing blow to the cutting edge there. The blade looked fine to my eye, so I took it back to the canvas for 50 strokes and the leather for 60 or 70 just to be sure.

If I did ding the razor, would I see it? Should I take it to the barber hone? I'd rather not as I did that last week and I don't want to do it too often.

Thoughts?

You could try the finger nail test....or check the edge with a magnifying glass. With a strong light, you will see a dull spot on the edge if you dinged it. Rotate it side-to-side.

Or use the hone. Life's too short to worry about over-honing. They make new razors every day.

Do not try the finger nail test, that will ruin your edge, TNT is only to be used when setting bevels, not on a finished edge.
IMO, if you don't see a chip, and the stropping felt normal afterwards, I wouldn't worry.

a little too tentative to try the nail or finger pad test. I don't have a magnifying glass. But I did stick it under a lamp so that the edge gleamed. It was bright and shiny except for one tiny little spot at the absolute tip...it's so far to the end of the razor that I'm not sure if it's a ding or the edge just...ending. I typically only use that spot for right under my nostrils, so I guess we'll see how it goes next time I shave?

Thanks man.

Originally Posted by Blix

Do not try the finger nail test, that will ruin your edge...

I never heard that before. Thanks. Not my experience, but good to hear a different perspective. A barber taught me the nail test, I don't swear by it for regular stropping, but I can definitely feel a damaged edge that way.

Originally Posted by Blix

Do not try the finger nail test, that will ruin your edge, TNT is only to be used when setting bevels, not on a finished edge.
IMO, if you don't see a chip, and the stropping felt normal afterwards, I wouldn't worry.

Please do not drag the edge across your fingernail! Your next shave will tell you wether or not it has been dinged.

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

Please do not drag the edge across your fingernail! Your next shave will tell you wether or not it has been dinged.

Uhm yes, that's pretty much what I said

Originally Posted by Blix

Uhm yes, that's pretty much what I said

yes I know, I wished to emphasize that so the OP would have a consensus of opinion

Originally Posted by Nix

I never heard that before. Thanks. Not my experience, but good to hear a different perspective. A barber taught me the nail test, I don't swear by it for regular stropping, but I can definitely feel a damaged edge that way.

Nix,

I agree - that is not my experience either.

Think about it, fellas. Your fingernails are made out of keratin, the same stuff as hair. Gently dragging the edge across a wetted fingernail is no more damaging to it than shaving.

Jeff

Originally Posted by JeffR

Nix,

I agree - that is not my experience either.

Think about it, fellas. Your fingernails are made out of keratin, the same stuff as hair. Gently dragging the edge across a wetted fingernail is no more damaging to it than shaving.

Jeff

IMO I completely disagree! Your fingernail is much harder and thicker then your hair. If you want to ruin your edge then run it along your nail. As has been said already this is only for use when setting a bevel.