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Expeditious razor sharpener
378
Progress of Practical d~. Theoretical _Mechanics 8y Chemistry.
which have been suggested, for giving increased buoyancy to vessels~ by placing them between the timbers and beams. Such tubes as the above~ in addition to their superior buoyancy and cheapness, might, in the event of distress or shipwreck~ form a secure raft, or even a vessel~ in which the crew and even some portion of the cargo might be saved. In conclusion, Mr. Editor~ I would strongly recommend that a small lifeboat~ constructed on these principles, be carried on board of every sea.going vessel, which would be of the utmost use in many situations of danger. Why not a life-boat as well as a life-buoy ? P. S . ~ T h e tubes in the drawing are placed somewhat apart to renderit more distinct; but in a model they would be close together. T h e upright ends of the tubes are intended for tholes for the oars. Loud. ~,iech.SIag.
JExpeditious Ila,~or Sharpener.
By fixing in a frame two smooth steel balls, in contact, the finest possible edge may be given to a razor, by drawingit between them. T h e balls are of cast-steel, three-fourths of an inch in diameter, with a hole drilled through the centre o leach. T h e screw at one end, was added for the purpose of keeping the balls in contact. This screw, also, affords the additional advantage, that if the pivots are suffered to be a little loose in the frame, the balls may be turned and again fixed. T h e balls are made a~ hard as possible, and polished in a direction opposite to that of their axes; whether a perfectly spherical or an oval figure would be the best~ is not ascertained. T h e handle is made of ivory~ and the frame of brass. Upon a short trial~ by myself and others, this instrument promises to give an exceedingly fine edge to every description of cutlery for which such an edge may be required. T h e mode of using it is to draw the edge of the razor a few times, perpendicularly, with a very light or moderate pressur% between the balls. [t is, however, essential~ that a mixture of putty-powder and oil~ about the consistence of very thick cream, or putty-powder and mercurial ointment, or some equivalent substance, should be placed between the balls, forming a sort of bed, through which the edge of the instrument is drawn; it should afterwards be strapped on the hand. This process may be resorted to as often as the edge of the razor becomes dull--once, twice~ or three times a week--and I have i'ound that an exquisitely fine edge may be thus produced in a few seconds. Of" course, no instrument would be suited to this mode of sharpening unless it had previously a thin edge. This instrument, though a modification only of the table-knife s h a r p e n ~ now in use, has a different action, produces a different edge, and is, there3" fore~ applicable to a different purpose. It is superior to Mr. Knight's razor-sharp'chef in this respect~ that both sides of the edge being acted on equally~ and at once~ the edge may be compressed; it is~ also, kept in the centre, and is liable to be neither bent nor broken. But it seems to combine the principles and advantages both of the table.knife sharpener now in use 9 and of Mr. Knight's steel. Ibid.
Progress of Practical d~. Theoretical _Mechanics 8y Chemistry.
which have been suggested, for giving increased buoyancy to vessels~ by placing them between the timbers and beams. Such tubes as the above~ in addition to their superior buoyancy and cheapness, might, in the event of distress or shipwreck~ form a secure raft, or even a vessel~ in which the crew and even some portion of the cargo might be saved. In conclusion, Mr. Editor~ I would strongly recommend that a small lifeboat~ constructed on these principles, be carried on board of every sea.going vessel, which would be of the utmost use in many situations of danger. Why not a life-boat as well as a life-buoy ? P. S . ~ T h e tubes in the drawing are placed somewhat apart to renderit more distinct; but in a model they would be close together. T h e upright ends of the tubes are intended for tholes for the oars. Loud. ~,iech.SIag.
JExpeditious Ila,~or Sharpener.
By fixing in a frame two smooth steel balls, in contact, the finest possible edge may be given to a razor, by drawingit between them. T h e balls are of cast-steel, three-fourths of an inch in diameter, with a hole drilled through the centre o leach. T h e screw at one end, was added for the purpose of keeping the balls in contact. This screw, also, affords the additional advantage, that if the pivots are suffered to be a little loose in the frame, the balls may be turned and again fixed. T h e balls are made a~ hard as possible, and polished in a direction opposite to that of their axes; whether a perfectly spherical or an oval figure would be the best~ is not ascertained. T h e handle is made of ivory~ and the frame of brass. Upon a short trial~ by myself and others, this instrument promises to give an exceedingly fine edge to every description of cutlery for which such an edge may be required. T h e mode of using it is to draw the edge of the razor a few times, perpendicularly, with a very light or moderate pressur% between the balls. [t is, however, essential~ that a mixture of putty-powder and oil~ about the consistence of very thick cream, or putty-powder and mercurial ointment, or some equivalent substance, should be placed between the balls, forming a sort of bed, through which the edge of the instrument is drawn; it should afterwards be strapped on the hand. This process may be resorted to as often as the edge of the razor becomes dull--once, twice~ or three times a week--and I have i'ound that an exquisitely fine edge may be thus produced in a few seconds. Of" course, no instrument would be suited to this mode of sharpening unless it had previously a thin edge. This instrument, though a modification only of the table-knife s h a r p e n ~ now in use, has a different action, produces a different edge, and is, there3" fore~ applicable to a different purpose. It is superior to Mr. Knight's razor-sharp'chef in this respect~ that both sides of the edge being acted on equally~ and at once~ the edge may be compressed; it is~ also, kept in the centre, and is liable to be neither bent nor broken. But it seems to combine the principles and advantages both of the table.knife sharpener now in use 9 and of Mr. Knight's steel. Ibid.