Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1828-10-07

nolu uuIlng the operation of shaving e
th'n IN the tang, it will soon be discovered
that 1t cannot be maintained in cuttina
oirectlon, without a much STRONGER and
flrmer grasp, than ought to be eTnployed
on SO delicate an occasion; if thick and
heaoy, though it may be held more easily
and pleasantly, yet it cannot fail to be OH
served, that the cutting part of the blade
VIII be so much over-balanced bv the
weight of the hand-hold, that here AGAIN
though from completely opposite cause
considerable exertion will be neeessary
to apply the razor, with suitable effect"
!" A strait-edged razor is by no means
adapted tor general use. 1t is, in fact,
fitted only for those, who, convinced that
every cutting instrument, from saw to a
razor, is composed of regular succession
OF teeth, or points, nearer or farther anart
have learned to distinguish between the
operation OF cutting, and what NAV. not
inaptly, be denominated scraping. The
latter is, however, the prevailing mode of
shaving; 1t is the practice, in greater or
lesser degree, of almost every man who
shaves himself; and as it is an evil which
cannot be entirely removed, it must be
partially provided against. How far this
is within the power of the razor-maker,
Will, perhaps, appear from the following
remarks. 1t may here be laid down as a
principle, that whatever the form of the
back OF razor may be, the edge should
always describe a portion of circle.
"The concaUity of razor should like
wise possess great evenness and regularity.
otherwise very unequal edge is produc-
ed, defect which every application of the
hone will rather increase than diminish
and which nothing but re-grinding, in
more perfect manner, can possibly remove.
fhere is an appearance produced Upon
the blade OF new razor, by the use of
the hone, which affords certain criterion.
by which this formidable imperfection
may always be detected. Two lines are
produced, the one upon the edge, and the
other upon that part of the back, which
rests upon the hone in whetting. On ex-
aiming razor, these lines are very ap-
parent, and are easily distinguished by
their difference of polish; in some razors
they are very unequal, and present seve-
raj variations in breadth, from heel to point;
others possess an even, undertaking regu-
larity these different appearances should
be noted with particular attention, as they
afford certain raoanr, by which the snest
superficial observer may learn to detect
defective workmanship in, one of the re-
quisites of a good razor. 1t can hardly
be necessary to add, that where this even-
ness Of line exists, a regularity OF, concavi-
ty cannot possibly be wanting; nor
where the contrary is the case, can good
cutting edge be expected.
Let the hone be seldom, and but spar
ingly resorted to; and never, unless by
frequent and repeated stropping, the edge
of the razor is entirely destroyed: use
the best pale oil, and be careful to pre-
serve the hone clean, and free from dust.
Previously to the operation of shaving, it
will be found Of service, particularly to
those who have strong beard, and ten
der skin, to wash the face well with soap
and water; and the more time is spent in
lathering, and moistening the beard, the
easier will the process of shaving become.
Dip the razor in hot water, before apply
ing it to the face; use the blade nearly
flat, always taking care to give it cutting
instead of a scraping, direction. Strop
the razor Immediately after using it, for
the purpose of effectually removing any
moisture that may remain upon the edge
and be careful not to employ common
strOp, as the composition with which they
are covered, is invariably of very inferi-
our quality, and injurious to razor. The
strop should always be of the best manu-
facture,* and when the composition is worn
off, it will be found particularly useful to
rub it over, lightly, with little clean tai.
low, and then put upon it the top part Of
the snuff of candle, which being fine
powder, will admirably supply the place o.
the best composition ever used for the
purpose. Another excellent mode o.
renovating razor-strop, is by rubbing il
well with puter, and impregnating the
leather with the finest metallick PARTICLES
d" In closing these observations,I cannot
omit to protest against the elastic cushion
strop, which, from easily yielding to the
pressure of the razor, removes the .fae
keen, fiat edge, produced by the hone
and substitutes an injurious roundness III
its place. A flat strop, not too much bur
thened with leather, is best adapted tc
continue the form, which the edge re-
ceives in honing; to admit of any other
is to subvert, in practice, the principles Oh
which good cutting edge is formed"
*0PN. B. Razor strops of the first quality
manufactured by Emerson, for sale at the LAEcAs