Thread: Can t get my Boker Silver Steel sharp

regarding perceived sharpness, I had a Torrey wedge that felt dull compared to a full hollow anything, but it was very sharp, just didn't feel that way... it felt like a butter knife, totally dull and not seeming to grab anything, but then I would look at my face and realize all the hair was gone

can you get any SR, as long as it is in good condition, properly sharp? ... and if so why to buy a US$ 400 SR instead of a US$ 100 one...is it pure aesthetics, kind of buying a watch?

Originally Posted by Icarusflies

can you get any SR, as long as it is in good condition, properly sharp? ... and if so why to buy a US$ 400 SR instead of a US$ 100 one...is it pure aesthetics, kind of buying a watch?

Personally I would say any "well made SR from a reputable maker" vintage or new will hone up properly and shave well. Trick is to avoid buying inexpensive razor shaped objects. If you are looking at new SRs from reputable makers the price difference between entry level models and more expensive models from the same maker is normally accounted for by fancier scales, more engraving, higher polish and worked spines. All the things that cost more to add to a basic SR. So with those caveats, yes to both your question imo.

Bob

Originally Posted by Icarusflies

can you get any SR, as long as it is in good condition, properly sharp? ... and if so why to buy a US$ 400 SR instead of a US$ 100 one...is it pure aesthetics, kind of buying a watch?

Any SR that is a) made from good steel b) ground to a good shape and c) properly heat treated can be made into a good shaver. Much of the extra cost for the expensive ones if for razor bling: fancy scales, engraving, etc., OR recognition of the skills of an artisan if it was made by hand.

So a lower end decent razor (I'm thinking Dovo, Aust, etc) can be just as good a shaver as a top end custom. Whether the extra cost is worth it is entirely the buyer's decision.

However, remove one of the variables above (cheap steel, wonky design, bad heat treat) and you'll have a very hard time getting it to shave well.

EDIT: Bob beat me to it.

Those are questions that I have been asking myself for some time ...thank you.

I would first check the Boker for a frown as that will make honing very difficult and inconsistent until it is removed.

I would also be worried that the power wheel caused excess heat which could destroy the temper of the steel, I would never try honing a straight razor on any kind of power wheel.

From all the videos I've watched and the people I have talked to . when making a straight razor the final shape was ground on wheel and or belts watching the heat closely but when it comes to the honeing of the razor to use it was done by hand on stones or hones slowly and carefully. I would never try to sharpen a straight razor on a wheel of any kind. Too much of a chance of ruining the blade. That may or may not be the problem . If it were mine I would send it to one of the pro's listed in the classifieds and see what happen. Now this was my opinion and an opinion is like rear ends. everyone has one.

Is the razor in question one of the current production Boker models? If so, you may want to check the bevel angle. I have a few of the new production Bokers, and a couple of them don't take an edge very well unless you increase the bevel angle using additional layers of tape. I returned one under warranty because it wouldn't take an edge unless I used 4 layers of tape. The sent me a new one under warranty.

Maybe you could post a picture of the Boker silver steel model thats giving you issues. If its the extra hollow ground 6/8 I believe those should hone up very well. I have one and its the sharpest razor I have. Takes an edge very well. Im pretty sure it was just messed up by the power honing job and you should either try to re hone it by hand or have someone that really knows razors do it. There are plenty of guys on this forum from Europe that would be up to the task. This of course depends on the possibility that the razor had its temper compromised or not.

Actually even before I sent it to the "power whell¨ the edge did not feel that good. So it goes like this. 1) I buy the razor 2) I have it profecionally honne with stones 3) it does not feel good so a couple of month later I send it to another honer who uses a power whell 4) since I don´t like the results I send it to be honed again with stones...still don´t feel good.

Yes, is a new model, 6/8. And actually the bevel does not look symmetric...I am not an expert so....

I ll take a picture and post it.