Thread: Suitable sharpening project razor

Hey guys. Although I'm only 3 shaves in, I'm off for 2 weeks over Christmas and thought I could spend this time beginning to learn honing. From various posts on here, I seem to need a Norton 4/8k and a Chinese 12k (the latter of which could be used to bring back an edge when stropping isn't enough but full honing isn't required).

However, rather than use my only Dovo Best Quality razor, I was thinking of a cheap razor off ebay. I know its difficult to tell from a photo, but I was wondering if something like the following would be a good sharpening project:

bismarck no 55 open razor | eBay

I'm not asking about price, etc, more about rough impressions of brand / apparent quality for learning honing skills, if it goes cheap. There's a few going and from photos, the blades 'look' ok i.e. no pitting, wear, etc. Brands include Bengall, thiers, filarmonica. I'm sure I'll damage a few in the process.

Also, I think a little RAD may be starting haha

Bismarcks, especially the pre Dovo blades are wonderful blades. and that one looks nice on the front side i would ask the seller for more pictures though. be thankful he only wants UK buyers that should help keep the price down a little.

like most vintage german razors that should be nice one to hone. if it were mine i would use one peice of tape on the spine and start with about 10 passes on the 4k and then the rest on the 8k it is slower but slow and less are better. lastly after a shave off the 8k then i would finish polishing the edge on the 12k. YMMV and i'm a heretic

enjoy,
jim

Originally Posted by stevieb

Hey guys. Although I'm only 3 shaves in, I'm off for 2 weeks over Christmas and thought I could spend this time beginning to learn honing. From various posts on here, I seem to need a Norton 4/8k and a Chinese 12k (the latter of which could be used to bring back an edge when stropping isn't enough but full honing isn't required).

However, rather than use my only Dovo Best Quality razor, I was thinking of a cheap razor off ebay. I know its difficult to tell from a photo, but I was wondering if something like the following would be a good sharpening project:

bismarck no 55 open razor | eBay

I'm not asking about price, etc, more about rough impressions of brand / apparent quality for learning honing skills, if it goes cheap. There's a few going and from photos, the blades 'look' ok i.e. no pitting, wear, etc. Brands include Bengall, thiers, filarmonica. I'm sure I'll damage a few in the process.

Also, I think a little RAD may be starting haha

That Bismark looks in great shape, it will be better blade than your Dovo.
A piece of advise , do not post links to live auctions because you may end up in a bidding war with someone that also likes that razor.
Ask the seller about better pics this way you will know what you are buying

Originally Posted by mainaman

That Bismark looks in great shape, it will be better blade than your Dovo.

How do you figure a bismarck would be a better blade than a dovo? I've had both, no difference IMO

Originally Posted by sheffieldlover

How do you figure a bismarck would be a better blade than a dovo? I've had both, no difference IMO

the vintage Bismarcks and the old Dovo (frits brach era) were wonderful razors they feel better on my face and hones then the current models. not really sure why.

jim

It's only the Dovo Best Quality I have at the moment. Maybe that? I'm assuming, while still good, the BQ are still low-end.

Edit:
When I ordered my Dovo, I thought "RAD, nah I only need one, maybe two for when one's went for honing before I learn". Went onto ebay tonight thinking just have a quick look for 10 mins.... 90 mins later: oh thats nice, thats a good one, oh and that...."

Conclusion: no matter what you think, RAD will get you!

My 2 cents (which is worth about .5 cents today): IMHO you do not need to invest in 12K honing stone at present. That will come later if ever. The Norton 4k/8k does NOT come ready for honing right out of the box. You will need to lap the stone and for that you will need a lapping stone. A "fine' grit diamond sharpening stone is recommended for this. If I were you, I would invest in that well before I invested in 12k stone. Again, just my opinion, you will never need a 12k stone. Gssixgun has a video on lapping the Norton but I can not find it. Maybe someone else will assist and provide the link.

Randy

LOL Yer really lucky that listing says UK buyers only... Nice razors

Originally Posted by gssixgun

LOL Yer really lucky that listing says UK buyers only... Nice razors

+1

I'm rather fond of those Bismarcks. If that was open to US bidders, you would have some competition from me

Agreed, nice razor!

Edit:
When I ordered my Dovo, I thought "RAD, nah I only need one, maybe two for when one's went for honing before I learn". Went onto ebay tonight thinking just have a quick look for 10 mins.... 90 mins later: oh thats nice, thats a good one, oh and that...."

Conclusion: no matter what you think, RAD will get you!

I used to only look at Ebay ... that was until I discovered that I have two antique stores on one street less than a mile away. Both had straight razors, bought only one (Thistle). The other had three different DE razors ... one for $5 and a Rolls Razor for $10, all looked in great condition. So now, I'm looking in the phone book for antique stores near me, might serve you just as well as it has for me so far.

Happy Hunting!