Thread: Really rough, still cool looking

Anyone ever seen something like this?

Vintage Straight Razor Wood Handle Unk Mkr - Handmade? - eBay (item 230556496751 end time Dec-05-10 08:53:15 PST)

I've seen a Japanese razor with that extreme a smile and I had this one custom made by Robert Williams. In general if a maker doesn't think enough of his product to put his name on it I stay away from it. I learned that from years of collecting old pocket knives. There are exceptions though.

If it weren't so rotten, I might have taken a chance.

I just haven't seen one that extreme.

I have seen one. BassGuy has it. His is in really great shape. I'd seen photos of them online, but in person the smile looks so much more extreme and also the razor is smaller than I thought it would be. I'd hate to hone one (unless I was really looking for a challenge).

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

I'd hate to hone one (unless I was really looking for a challenge).

That Robert Williams was no picnic to hone. This tortoise shelled Case Bros Springville NY was the toughest though. Since it is a 4/8 I think it had more to do with the geometry than the hard steel. The Ran-Kan whatever ya call it below the Case was easy and took a great edge.

'Definitely one of the most visually stunning razors I've ever seen, Jimmy. I hope it's treating you really well. Do you use a 'swooping' stroke? Rolling X, or circles?

I haven't sat down to hone the RK Saito yet, but I seem to find smiley blades easier to hone than straight across blades. I think the sweeping action [of a rolling X] lends itself to more graceful strokes, better strokes equals better honing.

Originally Posted by pinklather

'Definitely one of the most visually stunning razors I've ever seen, Jimmy. I hope it's treating you really well. Do you use a 'swooping' stroke? Rolling X, or circles?

Rolling x all the way on those. From start to finish.

Back in the day, straights were all that was available so I suspect everyone had a better base working knowledge of honing. IOW- it wasn't an obscure esoteric practice only observed by artisans & manufacturers