Is there some magic to using an actual lame that I won't get from just using single sided razor blades from the hardware store? I've been using them so far, could that be why my slashes have been so hit and miss? Or is a lame just another way to get you to spend money?
Jay, do a search for “home made lame”. Many expert bakers make their own and are completely satisfied.
https://youtu.be/fcO_vBmci9g
Do use a double edges razor blade, though. They are much sharper. Scoring is a skill that doesn’t often come easy. I’ve neen working to hone my scoring skills for years. Hope you pick it up much quicker. Some do...
Danny
Thanks for the answer, Dan. I haven't been able to find anything about them being sharper online, so it's good to get the information. Can you buy the double edged ones at the hardware store, do you know, or are they a specialty thing I'll need to find online?
ETA: Finally managed to find the right search terms and found the at walmart. I suck at google
Jay
Yes, the blades bakers use are the very same blades you shave with. They are super sharp. You can use all 4 corners of the blade as each corner dulls.
You can buy double edge (DE) razor blades online from sources on Amazon and they are unbelievably inexpensive. The brand probably won’t matter much for scoring bread. The sharpest for shaving are often felt to be Feather blades, and you’ll pay a bit more for these, but Derby, Astra, Personna will all do nicely. They are all made overseas. For $10.00 you can buy more than you’ll use in a lifetime for bread scoring.
Yeah, I just ordered 100 for $10... right after getting another very badly scored loaf b/c of the blade I'm using. Sadly they won't get here until the 7th, but at least I have that to look forward to
They're on the shaving aisle in any drugstore or grocery. No need to go online.