Bengall Problem

[Postscript]

Since getting back into straight-razor shaving a few weeks ago after a break of a couple of years, I have touched up the edges on the three vintage Sheffields I previously used regularly. I did this with an old boxed Thuringian and pasted strops, with good results. Becoming more ambitious, I bought an Ohishi 3000/8000 whetstone and used it, plus the Thuringian and strops, to put an edge on three other razors which had not been in a shaveable condition. Again, after a bit of trial and error (and perhaps excessive hone wear - oops! I know better for the future), I had three more razors producing nice smooth shaves. But then I reached my limit. I have a Cadman's "Bengall" which I bought off eBay years ago. When I got it, I sent it off to be honed, but I never got a right shave from it. Somehow it just would not cut my beard properly. So this week I tried it on my hones, using the same procedure as with the others, but there was no improvement. Is it my shaving technique? Possibly, but I manage ok with the others and this is a similar hollow grind. Is it my honing and stropping technique? Could be, but again I managed ok with the others and, besides, I had the same problem after having the Bengall professionally honed. The only other thing I can think of is that the man who sold it to me had restored it. In fact he seemed to have polished it to within an inch of its life. Could it be that he allowed the blade to overheat and spoiled the temper? Whatever the problem, it is a pity as the Bengalls have such a good reputation and it is a good-looking razor too. Any suggestions most welcome.

 

[RussellR5555]

is the Geometry off ? do you ave the equipment to measure the thickness at the spine and the width of the blade ? Then you can calculate if the angle sits in the 15 to 20 degree range.

 

[Fergiebilly]

Always Hard to Comment on Issues Like this..But..Like Ya Mentioned & it Rings Alarm Bells..If its Been Polished to Hell it Could Have Ruined the Temper of the Steel..It Happens..If that is the Case then it Will Never Take an Edge..Sounds Suspiciously Like that to Me by Reading You're Thread..

You Can Fart about with a Bad or Ruined Tempered Blade to Hell Freezes Ova & Ya Will Get Nowhere..They are Only Fit for the Bin..

Billy

 

[Bob1955]

I would kill the edge and reset the bevel, that way you have done everything and if it still won't take a good shaving edge then I too would go with the temper, my Bengal is a very good shaver....but it is not a shiny...it is well used but clean, I can tell you it does not take much for a blade to overheat, I use a bench buffer on some heavy marked razors to get the blade looking better, but they get hot quick, I always have a jar of cold water at my side to dunk em in when they get WARM, it takes 2 seconds of your time to do this and saves any it's or but's about the temper.

 

[Postscript]

Thanks for your replies. Yes, I did kill the edge before beginning from scratch and then did everything the same as with the others. I don't have measuring equipment to calculate the angle. I think I'll just put it to one side meantime and maybe have another go sometime later when I might have acquired a bit more experience.