Thread: What can do with a GD

Hello Everybody;

So among several SR I have a Gold Dollar that as you can imagine is not sharp.

I have access to a set of sharpening stones that are typically used for kitchen knives. The highest grind is 4000.

Then I have a yellow lake hone that is rated at 12000.

Do you think I could get close to a shave ready with the 4000 and the 12000 grit stones.

I don´t care so much about a perfect result as long as it is shavable and I could include the GD into my rotation.

Thanks for the feed back.

The vast majority of Gold Dollar razors will not sit flat on a hone due to the atrocious grinding. The shoulders of the razor sit too proud and need grinding down. I'd suggest you get yourself a decent condition vintage razor to practice honing on.
Now you'll struggle to get a shave ready razor with just a 4000 and 12000 grit stones. You'll need something to set the bevel on the razor and for that you need something around 1000 grit.

What johnmrson said!

John and I had this very discussion this afternoon while examining a fresh-from-the-net GD. The grinding around the heel area of these razors is really primitive and it would be very difficult to hone one correctly without significant adjustments. Take note of his advice regarding hones too - a 1000 stone is usually regarded as the standard grit for setting the bevel - a 4000 is a bit too fine.

Thanks for the comments.

I had an experienced friend with SR have a look to the GD.

It seems that the GD is straight and we have leveled the shoulder with a dremel so it is ready to go.

I have access to a 700, 1200, 4000 (very basic water stones intended for knife sharpening Tienda - A PEDRA DAS MEIGAS) and 12000 grind stones.

What do you think, can I get close to a shave ready with that?

Thanks

Originally Posted by Icarusflies

What do you think, can I get close to a shave ready with that?

4000 will almost do. Make a so called balsa strop (Easily make a pasted balsa strop - Straight Razor Place Library) with a high grit abrasive (What hone(s), paste(s), or spray(s) do I need? - Straight Razor Place Library) and you are good to go. Pasted strops are the traditional way of maintaining an edge in Europe - check out the French, German or Spanish forums.

I got chromium oxide on balsa wood but shouldn t I use it after some passes on my yello lake (12000)...so go 1200, 4000, Yellow lake and then chromium oxide?

Keep it simple. People have shaved with razors honed on "8000 grit hones" (they weren't even around back then) for centuries.

As to chromium oxide: no. Do read the article on pastes or sprays, you'd be looking for 6 or 3 micron pastes, not a very mild abrasive like chromium oxide. After the 4k hone, you still have more work to do than chromium oxide would sensibly permit. Alternatively, get a cheap 8k hone somewhere.

Hand the razor and your stones to your experienced friend and see what he can do

Try the 1200, 4000 and 12000. As there's a big jump between the 4000 and 12000, you'll need to do quite a lot of laps on the 12000. Set the bevel with the 1200. You should be able to comfortably shave hair arm after that stone.

Thank you, that is what I wanted to hear.

The thing is that for the moment I don´t want to invest in an 8000 hone since I am not sure I ll use it again but I have the stones I mentioned earlier and this GD that is seating there...