Hello, Anyone know someone who will sharpen a Razor in Tennessee

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08-12-2011, 10:57 PM
roy291

Hello, Anyone know someone who will sharpen a Razor in Tennessee

Hello everyone, I am new to this forum and cannot wait to jump in, I have been shaving with disposable blade straight razors for about 6 months. Recently a friend gave me a straight razor that is made from damascus but it is very dull and I have no idea how to sharpen these. I would love to learn more about old school shaving of coarse I would need to pick up some nice things, Brushes, etc... anyhow thats my story and if anyone lives around Knoxville, TN I sure would appreciate any tips on where to buy things locally and maybe a hands on tutorial on how to sharpen my new razor. :P
08-12-2011, 11:00 PM
holli4pirating

Question 1 is do you know its good damascus? No offense intended, but there are a lot of... damascus colored, razor shaped objects out there. Could you post a photo of it?

Either way, if there is someone local who can help, I'm sure you'll find him or here here on SRP.

speaking of which, welcome to the forum.
08-12-2011, 11:08 PM
roy291

Quote:

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Question 1 is do you know its good damascus? No offense intended, but there are a lot of... damascus colored, razor shaped objects out there. Could you post a photo of it?

Either way, if there is someone local who can help, I'm sure you'll find him or here here on SRP.

speaking of which, welcome to the forum.

Hi, thanks for the welcome. I am no knife expert but this appears to be real damascus, i will post some pics of this now.
http://s14.photobucket.com/albums/a323/roy291/
08-12-2011, 11:19 PM
roy291

http://s14.photobucket.com/albums/a323/roy291/

not sure why but the images aren't showing up.

http://s14.photobucket.com/albums/a323/roy291/
08-12-2011, 11:23 PM
gssixgun

I can't read any names on there even enlarging the image, it looks like somebody tried to hone it though...
Is there any lettering on either side of the tang????

Use the IMG code link

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...1/IMG_0232.jpg
08-12-2011, 11:33 PM
roy291

having trouble with some hosting sites and i am using my iphone to take the photo so it looks terrible but on the spine you can see lots of lines, i do believe this is true damascus but I just want something to shave with. I do not see any markings at all, this was probably handmade by an individual.

http://i56.tinypic.com/1567l94.jpg

http://i52.tinypic.com/65daug.jpg
08-12-2011, 11:41 PM
holli4pirating

i am thinking you may have a razor shaped object. A custom damascue razor would cost hundreds at least, and not many folks can make them. Unless your friend is very generous, wealthy, lucky, or well connected, I don't thing that razor wil shave.

It looks almost exactly like one I spent hours and hours on only to find it wouldn't even hold a bevel. No taper at the tang/pivot/tail is a giveaway.
08-12-2011, 11:46 PM
roy291

Quote:

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

i am thinking you may have a razor shaped object. A custom damascue razor would cost hundreds at least, and not many folks can make them. Unless your friend is very generous, wealthy, lucky, or well connected, I don't thing that razor wil shave.

It looks almost exactly like one I spent hours and hours on only to find it wouldn't even hold a bevel. No taper at the tang/pivot/tail is a giveaway.

Yes, this is very, very dull I suppose I am in the market for a new razor, I would like to quit buying disposable blades and learn to strop instead. Thanks for all of your replys!
08-12-2011, 11:50 PM
fiero11

Hi from Johnson City, TN. Welcome to SRP and the wonderful world of straight shaving. I don't know about that damascus blade and how well it will sharpen. Many of those come from India and are hand made and inconsistant. I have a small 5/8 razor that is shave ready you can have if you want to meet somewhere, I will give it to you. I used it for a practice razor for honing. I would be happy to show you the places I get my equipment from and what I have. Had a short bout of RAD...LOL. To be honest though, the vendors on this site are some of your best places to buy from! Just let me know if I can help.

Rick
08-12-2011, 11:55 PM
roy291

Quote:

Originally Posted by fiero11

Hi from Johnson City, TN. Welcome to SRP and the wonderful world of straight shaving. I don't know about that damascus blade and how well it will sharpen. Many of those come from India and are hand made and inconsistant. I have a small 5/8 razor that is shave ready you can have if you want to meet somewhere, I will give it to you. I used it for a practice razor for honing. I would be happy to show you the places I get my equipment from and what I have. Had a short bout of RAD...LOL. To be honest though, the vendors on this site are some of your best places to buy from! Just let me know if I can help.

Rick

Hello, I appreciate your offer but I want to dive in, I would purchase something like this and maybe you can give me some other tips, I just came from your area last weekend, I worked a gunshow in Kingsport, TN I manufacture leather holsters thanks for your most generous offer, I will PM you. ~Roy
08-17-2011, 09:48 PM
roy291

Thanks for all of the advice.

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone, especially fierro as he gave me a strop, razor and best of all a lot of information. After meeting with Rick I bought a norton 4000/8000 waterstone which I will use in the future but that may be a while, I also purchased a Dovo Bismarck which was professionally honed. My first shave with the Dovo went as well as can be expected, occasional tugging at my hair but no cuts, this wasn't my closest shave but the second shave I stroped the razor maybe 100 times, this made all the difference in the world all of the tugging was eliminated. I am now looking forward for my whiskers to grow because this type of shaving is very pleasurable and no longer a chore. I think my next purchase will be a nice badger brush, I have either been using boar or synthetic brushes. Thanks to everyone on this site for being very cool and helpful!
08-17-2011, 09:58 PM
LinacMan

Hello Roy,

Welcome to SRP! Although I don't currently live in Knoxville, I'm a UT graduate. There is a Crabtree & Evelyn store in West Town Mall. I've used C&E soaps for years. They're great and relatively inexpensive. Nomad comes in a soap & a cream, Sandalwood comes in a soap & cream, but for some reason Sienna only comes in a soap. Nomad is my favorite of the three.

As for razors & strops, check out Straight Razor Designs online. They have some great razor & strop combos.

Greg
08-17-2011, 10:35 PM
roy291

Thanks for the info

Quote:

Originally Posted by LinacMan

Hello Roy,

Welcome to SRP! Although I don't currently live in Knoxville, I'm a UT graduate. There is a Crabtree & Evelyn store in West Town Mall. I've used C&E soaps for years. They're great and relatively inexpensive. Nomad comes in a soap & a cream, Sandalwood comes in a soap & cream, but for some reason Sienna only comes in a soap. Nomad is my favorite of the three.

As for razors & strops, check out Straight Razor Designs online. They have some great razor & strop combos.

Greg

wow, I had no idea that there was a local supply store, I am in bad need of a good brush, I may check them out tomorrow. Thanks!
08-17-2011, 11:22 PM
fiero11

Quote:

Originally Posted by roy291

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone, especially fierro as he gave me a strop, razor and best of all a lot of information. After meeting with Rick I bought a norton 4000/8000 waterstone which I will use in the future but that may be a while, I also purchased a Dovo Bismarck which was professionally honed. My first shave with the Dovo went as well as can be expected, occasional tugging at my hair but no cuts, this wasn't my closest shave but the second shave I stroped the razor maybe 100 times, this made all the difference in the world all of the tugging was eliminated. I am now looking forward for my whiskers to grow because this type of shaving is very pleasurable and no longer a chore. I think my next purchase will be a nice badger brush, I have either been using boar or synthetic brushes. Thanks to everyone on this site for being very cool and helpful!

Roy..your very welcome for all the help and feel free to call me if you need anything else! I'm glad your second shave was all you had hoped for! Keep up the good work.