Thread: What to look for: Hone Wear

Originally Posted by Phrank

Agreed - with the only exception being three blades I've purchased from the Classifieds here that were listed as shave ready, and were.

And this is the "Gem of the thread" - when you are starting out there is no better place to look for that next razor than the classifieds here @ SRP if you are looking for something older/with character etc. Great razors in every price point - subscribe to the thread or check back often and you will not be disappointed.

Originally Posted by WetShaveObsession

The exact razor in question is sitting right in front of me and took an absolutely beautiful edge with little to no difficulty honing what so ever. I also made a few swipes with it and it shaves very nice.
In conversing with the seller all that hone wear did in this case was save me about $15 off the purchase price of the razor as it would have been listed for about that much more had it not been there. Also the pics were somewhat deceptive as the spine itself is not nearly as worn as the angle of some of the pics would lead you to believe. The second pic makes it look like it is horrible but it in fact, is not. I found this out by simply communicating with the seller and having additional pics sent to me via email. The first pic posted here is more indicative of the actual wear on the spine. One indication or hunch I had that it was not as bad as it seemed was if you look at the bevel it was fairly even. Slightly off but not bad. Granted I suppose it could have easily gone the other way but thats why I followed up with the seller. Also I chalk it up to a bit of luck as well.
Now that I know it takes a fine edge Ill clean it up a tad as there is some grime between the scales, polish them up and repaint the Genco Expert in red, and put it to good use.

ATTA BOY! I love the shaves off of Gencos and Genevas

Originally Posted by WetShaveObsession

The exact razor in question is sitting right in front of me and took an absolutely beautiful edge with little to no difficulty honing what so ever. I also made a few swipes with it and it shaves very nice.
In conversing with the seller all that hone wear did in this case was save me about $15 off the purchase price of the razor as it would have been listed for about that much more had it not been there. Also the pics were somewhat deceptive as the spine itself is not nearly as worn as the angle of some of the pics would lead you to believe. The second pic makes it look like it is horrible but it in fact, is not. I found this out by simply communicating with the seller and having additional pics sent to me via email. The first pic posted here is more indicative of the actual wear on the spine. One indication or hunch I had that it was not as bad as it seemed was if you look at the bevel it was fairly even. Slightly off but not bad. Granted I suppose it could have easily gone the other way but thats why I followed up with the seller. Also I chalk it up to a bit of luck as well.
Now that I know it takes a fine edge Ill clean it up a tad as there is some grime between the scales, polish them up and repaint the Genco Expert in red, and put it to good use.

Glad it worked out in your favor.

Thanks for all the pointers. It's interesting to see how wear on the spine often shows itself in the bevel as well. Although pictures are still deceiving I now know what to look for.

Picked this up last night. Says shave ready but most likely from what I hear it will need a trip to a hone.

Originally Posted by MJC

And this is the "Gem of the thread" - when you are starting out there is no better place to look for that next razor than the classifieds here @ SRP if you are looking for something older/with character etc. Great razors in every price point - subscribe to the thread or check back often and you will not be disappointed.

When I first started out I hadn't yet found SRP but another site. I had my uncles Genco 'Grant' square point and the 'other site' offered honing so I paid the $25 and sent it off. Shaved with a 'really scary feel' well now years later it just gives nice shaves.

I then found SRP and was Hooked! When the Genco started to pull I went to the classifieds and there was a decent looking red point for $30 I'd been recovering from a painful divorce and money was scarce so I contacted the seller and asked if he could accept $25 and he agreed. When that razor started to dull I got another razor from the same seller at a slightly lowered price.

I've never forgotten his generosity and am proud to call him my friend! He also gave me very good counsel about stropping, and when I was ready (about a year and a 1/4 later) to start learning how to hone he was right there for me!

Very recently a young woman who works with me approached me about helping her get a straight razor for her husband for a father's day gift. She's making minimum wage and I know that her family has limited funds available.

I told her that I thought that I could get her a nice beginner's razor, a good strop and a very basic brush/bowl and soap kit for about $100. She was thrilled! Then asked if she could make payment and I told her of sure.

There was a nice looking razor in the classifieds listed at $55 + 5 shipping. I PM'd the seller and told him of the woman's situation and asked if he could take 'less' and he obliged.

I have an Illinois 827 and a Van Der Hagen kit on it's way and should be here by the end of the week. So I managed to fulfill her budget as I have $97.58 invested.

It wouldn't have been possible if the seller of the razor hadn't have helped.

I'm thinking that the best thing about SRP is Members helping Members

I'll be helping the husband get going. I'll have him over here. Show him how to make lather, shave his sideburn area etc. The razor is already honed and tested and re-stropped but I'll show him after the shave.

I love passing it forward!

Nice! That is the next Geneva/Genco I want to add to my collection. Looks like it is in great condition. Good for you!

@ cudarunner I really like feel good posts Roy, Thanks.

@ Reelinitin that should be a fine shaver!

Originally Posted by cudarunner

I love passing it forward!

Ya done good, Roy.

Originally Posted by pfries

@ cudarunner I really like feel good posts Roy, Thanks.

Originally Posted by Wullie

Ya done good, Roy.

Thanks guys! Coming from you means a lot.

I 'try' that's all I can do. Sometimes I succeed. I hope that the husband likes this age old art. I'll tell his wife if he decides that this age old art isn't for him that I'll buy it all back for what she paid.

Hell that's a really sweet shaving razor and I always recommend the strop so what the Hey?