Thread: First post

Hi there, I've been checking out this site for a couple of months now and finally had the time to post. I live near Toronto so I am glad to see there are a few Canadians I can turn to about the availability of products in stores up here. Also because I am on a bit of a budget I was hoping to find someone close by (to save on shipping) to hone one of my razors as a benchmark.
On that subject, about a month ago I was at an antique market and picked up four straight razors for $20. Three of them are Kropp and one in a customized "Imperial" by Thomas Turner and co. I'm going to try to attach some pics. they are all 5/8 except for the one Kropp which is 6/8 which for some reason i just like more. Can't explain why lol. I have a old Medal of Award Strop and Duvo hone coming from ebay so I haven't started shaving with these yet as they are clearly not shave ready.
I was hoping to get any thoughts and opinions on my purchases and any cheap ideas on how to clean the razors as some of them have a bit of tarnish on them.
I currently have 2 concerns.
one of the 5/8 razors has a straight blade but the toe and heel are slightly lower then the middle, kindof like the razor is frowning.My other concern in with the customized blade. It looks like there is a double bevel and the edge is only about 1 inch long so would this have and uses or should this be more of a show piece ?
Thanks for all your advice in advance.
Ryan

welcome to srp.

kropp are excellent razors. As far as that 'customized' razor, it looks like it was customized by a hard floor - the only thing of use there is the scales. The razor with the frown may still have a little life in it, but I'd personally consider it scales, as well.

I suggest you send one of them to a honemeister. That way you have a gauge to measure your honing by. You will know what a truly sharp razor is like.

Another Canuck, cool! I'm gonna have to change my location to be more specific.

Good thinking on getting them professionally honed, the two that are in decent shape. Frowns are bad news I'm afraid. That edge should really be reshaped at least to flat if not a smile. A lot of work without serious power tools. Sorry. The broken blade is garbage.

Be sure you know what grit the stone is before you start using it. Most of us here use the Norton 4,000/8,000 grit combination waterstone. It's a great tool especially for a n00b. It was for me. i got razors going for myself very quickly. It'll likely always be in my arsenal.

X

Thanks for your quick replies.

Does anyone have veiws on which size is easier to learn with the 5/8 or the 6/8 and which would be easier to learn how to hone?

I can understand why the frowning blade might not be the best to shave with but would it still hone like a regular blade? like something to practice on.

Also are there any inexpencive ways to clean the tarnish off?

Thanks
Ryan

Tarnish can be polished away with some metal polish. "Peek" and "Maas" are good brands, but there are many other that will do the job just as fine. I often use "000" grade steel wool, to speed things up, finishing up with a cotton rag. "000" is a very fine grade, so it leaves no scratches, but it does affect etchings and gold wash. You got to be careful there.

The frown can be honed out, by "sawhoning" the edge into straightness again on a coarse diamond hone, and then rebuilding an entire new bevel on the razor. You'd loose some blade width, but it still would be a fine shaver and certainly suitable for further honing practice. You need to have the right tools though. The Wiki has an entry with all the right information on that (written by gssixgun, who's a highly respected member here)

As to the ideal size for learning how to shave, 5/8 and 6/8 are both fine.

Best regards and welcome to SRP,

Bart.