Thread: Heljestrand MK31

Hi, I am new on the STR8, I need some help. I bought on Ebay, a Heljestrand MK31, is a beautiful razor, and I think is brand new, or at least
never honed.Is a full hollow grind, 11/16, almost square point.I passed on my Franz Swaty hone couple of times, on a balsa chromium and ferous paste from Whippeddog, thank you LarryAndro, ant stroped on a DD strop.
I tried on my arm hair, nothing , not even a hair, it seem to be very sharp,
but is not cuting anyting. Any suggestion? Should be send to LarryAndro,
or I should try to pass more time on my hone? I just don't want to damage this beautiful piece of art.The Franz Swaty is # 3 and have two grits.
Many thanks
Livio

I don't know much about the Swaty hones but I think they are about 8k.
You first need to set the bevel on the razor. If you don't do this you won't be able to hone it properly. To set the bevel you will need something like a Norton 1k, Naniwa 1k or DMT 1.2k. After setting the bevel you can then hone the razor. See this wiki: Bevel-setting in theory and practice - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Thank you for your fast response.I don't know and I don't have the tools for setting a bevel.They don't came sharpened from factory?
I will send it to my friend, LarryAndro, to put a bevel on.
Many thanks
Livio

Normally even if factory sharpened you need to set the bevel as a starting point. After you have set the bevel the first time that lasts for a long time. You can then, when needed, touch up or hone the razor by using 4, 8,12k hones and pastes as required.

at first you have great razor.
Second i have never seen or hear anyone used swaty stone made blade shave ready. I am not saying it is impossible someone can do so but if you start with dull edge will take at least a months.
in your situation i would suggest send it out. Get your blade shave ready by pro's.
this will help you start with properly honed blade and you will know how they feel etc.
in long run you will be glad you did.
gl

Originally Posted by hi_bud_gl

i would suggest send it out. Get your blade shave ready by pro's.
this will help you start with properly honed blade and you will know how they feel etc.
in long run you will be glad you did.
gl

Big +1. The Swaty is a hone made for and used by barber's back in the old days to touch up a shave ready razor that was falling off in sharpness a bit. If it is a beautiful Helje don't learn to hone on that one. Send it out and get a shave ready razor to use and to have something to compare to when you begin to hone lesser vintage pieces that you pick up.

If you haven't already done so check out the SRP Wiki beginner's guide here. There is also a honing section in there that will give you an overview of the choices you have of the correct tools (hones) to get a razor up to speed from start to finish.

Thank you, I intend to send the razor for proper bevel setting and sharpening. I am new , but I already have a couple of razors, sharpened by a pro. But I never had a swedish one.Is Heljestrand a good brand?
I just paid 36$ shipped, I see on Ebay razors for 2-300 $. They are 10 times better or just collectable?
Many thanks
Livio

Heljestrands are excellent razors. You made a good buy. If well honed it will shave every bit as well as razors going for USD 100 - 200.

Heljestrands are some of my favorite shavers, and my MK 31 is a definite keeper.

Get a honemeister to hone it and enjoy your shaves!