Thread: Keeping an edge????

I'm new to straight razor shaving, so I'm not sure if it's me...

My wife gave me a Gold Dollar straight for Christmas. It doesn't seem to keep an edge. Maybe it's my stropping? I guess the one good thing is that it's helping my honing technique.

Has anyone else experienced the same with Gold Dollar? Or is most likely my stropping?

I'm sorry to have to be the one to tell you this, but from this list you can see what this community as a whole feels about Pakistani made razors.

My advice would be to go over to the classifieds and find yourself a good vintage razor.

Aren't Gold Dollars Chinese ? Some people say they are useable razors , but that they usually need some remedial honing . Since your wife gave it to you , it might be a good idea to send it to a reputable "honemiester" , and see if they can fix it up so you can use it .

Aiai. Of course, chinese, not pakistani.
Thanks for correcting that!
My apologies for providing bad info!

Search out Gold Dollar on the forums and do some reading about them.
Spending money on trying to get that razor shaving, if at all possible, sounds to me like a bit too much of a gamble.
A properly honed vintage or new razor of a reputed brand sounds to like a much better option

Originally Posted by Birnando

Aiai. Of course, chinese, not pakistani.
Thanks for correcting that!
My apologies for providing bad info!

Search out Gold Dollar on the forums and do some reading about them.
Spending money on trying to get that razor shaving, if at all possible, sounds to me like a bit too much of a gamble.
A properly honed vintage or new razor of a reputed brand sounds to like a much better option

I would agree , but his wife gave it to him as a gift . I think she would be hurt , and disappointed if he didn't use the razor . Of course , it doesn't hurt to have more than one razor . I would recommend having at least 3 .

Originally Posted by dave5225

....I would recommend having at least 3 .

Yessir! That sounds a great start

It may be due to your technique but it's more likely the razor. I have a Gold Dollar, and I have a Dovo. I've only shaved with the GD maybe 5 times, it works, it's decent, but it doesn't compare to the Dovo. Stropping doesn't make it better either whereas the Dovo always feels nice after a good stropping. You should consider getting a better quality razor.

Thanks for the info guys.
Dave is right. My wife gave it to me, so I'll put in the time and effort. So far I've spent quite some time honing and setting a bevel. I can get a smooth shave. But there is no waaaayyyyy I could shave with the razor for 6 months with only stropping and no honing. I might get a couple weeks before I need to touch it up.
Regarding the other recommendation I bought a used Palmer (Imperial??) that I'm restoring now. The blade is ready, just a buff required. I'll need some time to make the scales though.

I have never used a GD but from everything I have read they have a reputation for having some defects, some worse than others. There are some people on the forum here who have gotten them in fair enough condition to be usable though.

I just purchased 3 vintage razors from a reliable source and found them to be LOVELY! They are all wonderful shaves and I did not pay a lot for these razors either. I have a total of 5 now and had each of them made "shave ready" before shipping. I agree that you should invest in a good vintage razor. It will give you a great experience, last you a lifetime and its always nice to have something from an era prior to my existence! lol