Dictionary

B

Back

See spine

Ball peen hammer

A hammer with a rounded head, used for peening pins and for restoring proper tension on Loose scales.

Barber’s notch

(also hollow point, hollow notch) A rounded cut-out at the toe of a straight razor. No definitive reason for the design has been uncovered.

Bearings

(also thrust bearings, thrust washers) A pair of thin brass disks used as bushings. Placed between the scales and the blade, one each on either side of the tang.

Bevel

The sloping faces leading to a razors edge which make contact with the stone during honing. Width of a bevel is determined by the blade angle formed between the thickness of the spine and overall width of the blade. The size of a bevel can range from barely visible on a extra hollow razor to the full width of the blade on a true wedge. Unevenness in the grind of the spine, or spine warp, can form an uneven bevel, as can an excess of localized pressure during honing.

 

F

Frown

(also frowning edge) When the edge of the razor is concaved towards the spine of the razor, making it appear like a frown. Opposite of a smile. Frowns should be removed before honing the razor.

Full hollow

A razor grind in which the steel thickness of the blade is minimized. Viewed from the end this appears less wedge-like and more like a thin slice of steel. Creates a flexible blade with a thin bevel.

H

Hanging Hair Test (HHT)

Used to assess the keeness of a razor’s edge during honing. It tests the razor’s ability to cut a single hair at a given distance when held between the thumb and index finger. See the Hanging Hair Test article in the Sharpening Academy. Also see the Edge Probing and Assessment article for more information regarding razor tests.

Heel

The portion of the edge furthest from the toe.

Hone relief

A triangular taper, cut at the lower part of each side of the tang near the heel of the blade. The cut narrows the tang in that area to avoid hitting the edge of the hone at the start of a stroke.

J

Jimps

test caption

The serrations sometimes found on the bottom and/or the top of the tang. They provide a better grip on a razor.

L

Loose scales

A condition in which scales have lost their tight grip on the tang of the razor. Can usually be fixed with a ball peen hammer. In cases where the razor is assembled with screws instead of the more traditional pins, simple adjustment of the screw fixes the problem.

P

Peening

Tapping the end of a pin with a ball peen hammer, in order to expand it. As a result, the now mushroom shaped pin no longer slides trough the hole in the washer. This secures a tight fit and puts the connection under the required tension.

Pins

(also rivets) Short lengths of metal rod used to hold scales in place and provide a pivot for the blade. If the scales are constructed of 2 separate pieces, a second pin holds the wedge end together. Occasionally, a third pin serves as a tang rest, near the shoulder of the razor. [needs a drawing]
Pins are traditionally made of Brass, Nickel Silver, Steel, or Stainless steel. Washers are placed over the ends of the pin before they are peened.

Pivot

The point at which the razor is connected to the scales with a pin. Located at the end of the tang before the tail. Razor Diagram visual:

Point

see toe.

R

Razor grind

The grind of a razor refers to the hollowness, or concavity of it’s sides. The grind can range from full hollow to a complete wedge, with grinds inbetween measured as fractions of a full hollow (e.g. 1/2 (half hollow), 1/4 (quarter) hollow, etc.).

Rivets

see pins.

S

Scales

The handle portion of a straight razor. Provides a protective sheath for the razor when not in use, a functional grip while honing and stropping, and counter-balance for the razor while shaving. Loose scales can interfere with these functions. Scales vary in shape, size, and material, often according to the size and age of the razor. Razor Diagram visual:

Shoulder

Found at the heel of the blade; it’s the transition from the tang to the heel providing support and rigidity for a hollow ground blade. Not all razors have a shoulder. Razor Diagram visual:

Smile

(also smiling edge) When the edge of a razor has a curve that bulges away from the spine. The opposite of a frown. Requires special approaches for honing, see “rolling X-stroke”.

Spine

The thickest part of the blade from the point to the tang, giving strength. Spines are mostly straight but a few are arched or curved when viewed from the face. The straight razor blade’s spine determines the angle of the edge. See Bevel Angle Calculation. Razor Diagram visual:

Strop

A band of leather and/or fabric used to maintain a razors cutting edge. Can be free hanging or attached to a paddle. See stropping a straight razor.

T

Tail

The end of the tang which continues past the pivot and curves upwards. Used to rotate the blade out of the scales, and also used to help stabilize the razor while shaving. Razor Diagram visual:

Tang

Part of the razor between the pivot and the shoulder of a straight razor. Used to hold the razor with a pinch grip, while shaving. Usually stamped with makers marks. Location of jimps.

Tension

The force between the tang and the scales. Proper tension prevents the blade from pivoting too loosely.

Toe

(also point) The tip of the razor, the end opposite the heel. Variations include: Round, Square, Spanish, French and Notched. Razor Diagram visual:

W

Washers

(also lock washers) The flat or raised metal disks placed on either side of a pin on the outside of the scales. Provides protection against the scale being damaged while peening and can help seat the peened head of the pin.

X

X-stroke

The most fundamental of all honing strokes. Starting on the heal and (during the stroke) gradually moving the razor horizontally until the toe comes into contact with the hone; the back and forth strokes form an ‘X’ pattern. X-strokes should be used regardless of whether or not the hone is wide enough to accommodate the entire length of the razor. This ensures that the whole length of the edge comes into contact with the hone. See honing strokes.