Thread: Local honing

Hi everyone. I'm just getting into wet shaving and have picked up a straight razor at a local antiques shop. I am wondering if anyone knows someone who can hone and is local to me. I'm in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada and don't mind shipping it out within Canada but I'd rather not have to deal with cross-border issues and - ideally - would really like to find someone I can actually see in person. I understand if that is not possible as well.

Thanks all and I've been enjoying the posts I've been reading. My razor is a "Crown and Sword" with ERN 1166 on one side of the handle. It's got zero pits and is fairly straight and I'm pretty sure would be capable of shaving. The scales are rough and the blade has quite a patina on it but I'm sure it can be brought back.

BTW, for any other newbie's wanting a lesson, the guy who sharpens knives and axes may not be able to sharpen a razor. That was a $7 lesson!

Originally Posted by chworby

Hi everyone. I'm just getting into wet shaving and have picked up a straight razor at a local antiques shop. I am wondering if anyone knows someone who can hone and is local to me. I'm in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada and don't mind shipping it out within Canada but I'd rather not have to deal with cross-border issues and - ideally - would really like to find someone I can actually see in person. I understand if that is not possible as well.

Thanks all and I've been enjoying the posts I've been reading. My razor is a "Crown and Sword" with ERN 1166 on one side of the handle. It's got zero pits and is fairly straight and I'm pretty sure would be capable of shaving. The scales are rough and the blade has quite a patina on it but I'm sure it can be brought back.

BTW, for any other newbie's wanting a lesson, the guy who sharpens knives and axes may not be able to sharpen a razor. That was a $7 lesson!

For shipping it out, SRP member floppyshoes is listed under "Member Services" in the classifieds. Details can be found here:
Honing and Restoration Services (CANADA) - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

Originally Posted by chworby

BTW, for any other newbie's wanting a lesson, the guy who sharpens knives and axes may not be able to sharpen a razor. That was a $7 lesson!

It could have been a much more expensive lesson. I've read of many horror stories of such sharpeners completely destroying razors.

I hope it was only a $7 lesson - I guess I'll know when someone who knows what they're looking for looks at it. I'd like to get into restoring and do this one but I think I'll buy a really cheap one that's in really rough shape and make all my mistakes there. Any thoughts on that? I don't have a wood/metal working background - do most of you have that or just an interest in razors?

Originally Posted by chworby

I hope it was only a $7 lesson - I guess I'll know when someone who knows what they're looking for looks at it. I'd like to get into restoring and do this one but I think I'll buy a really cheap one that's in really rough shape and make all my mistakes there. Any thoughts on that? I don't have a wood/metal working background - do most of you have that or just an interest in razors?

I think it depends on how far you want to go with a restore. I can clean up the blades pretty well with sandpaper (400- to 2000-grit) and have a basic honing set to sharpen razors, but I think I'm a ways off making the scales (handles). Check out "The Gallery" forum to look at some full restorations:
The Gallery - Straight Razor Place Forums

There's also an informative section in the wiki dedicated to repairs and restorations:
Category:Repair & Restoration - Straight Razor Place Wiki

If you were to post a photo of the blade and the scales members could more easily say whether your razor is worth the $ to salvage.

Here it is. There isn't much rust - if any - mostly just patina. I don't know what the scales are.

I've never 'forumed' before so I don't know how these pictures will turn out.

I am in Winnipeg and have been dabbling in staright razors for about 6 month.. repair, learning honing, doing some restoration, and clooecting scrap ones to practice my repair skill on. I have been toying with the idea of casting replacement sets of scales out of epoxy or something similar. I have a crown and sword razor similar to yours but with original scales that are made of hard black rubber with a raised crown and sword logo (pic attached). I am going to try to cast these scales and if it works I will send you a set for free.
Dave

Originally Posted by dgstr8

I am in Winnipeg and have been dabbling in staright razors for about 6 month.. repair, learning honing, doing some restoration, and clooecting scrap ones to practice my repair skill on. I have been toying with the idea of casting replacement sets of scales out of epoxy or something similar. I have a crown and sword razor similar to yours but with original scales that are made of hard black rubber with a raised crown and sword logo (pic attached). I am going to try to cast these scales and if it works I will send you a set for free.
Dave

That would be great, Dave. I like the way yours look - very classic. I was thinking along a wood line but if they turn out like yours that would be awesome!

How is the learning going? I was also considering doing the same as you - buy cheaper ones to get started on and make mistakes on them. On the other hand, it might be good to try sometime in this lifetime!

Actually it is going very well. I can't imagine ever going back to using
disposable multiple edge blades. Your post makes it sound like you haven't had a chance to try straight razor shaving at all yet, as you are waiting to get your razor honed. If that's the case, there's another option... the first thing I tried was a straight razor handle that uses one half of a disposable safety razor blade. I picked one up from a local barber supply place (very cheap). You snap a disposable safety razor blade in half and it fits into a holder that slides in and out of the handle. It allows you to practice your grip and stroke (with no blade in it), and then you can load it with a blade and get a feel for straight razor shaving. It doesn't cut as wide a swath as a true straight razor and the corners are a little sharp but it gives you a feel for the process. If you want I can send you mine so you can play until you get yours honed to the point where its usable.
I am at a crossroads myself trying to figure out if I am going to start honing and repair/restoration for others (as there's likely no money in it) but I would be willing to hone yours for you if you're interested. Myself, I started with a new bought Dovo style razor, then started picking up worn used blades at antique stores and learned some honing/repair/restoration. Now I have about half a dozen that I use on a regular basis, none spectacular but all useable.

I will send you a private message.
Dave