First razor purchase - French "Bellefontaigne Montreal" - and down the slippery slope

After spending a few days looking at the hundreds of beaten up straight razors that eBay has to offer, I settled upon a razor stamped "Albert Bellefontaine Montreal" and "Special Steel Made in France" at the tang, with "Bellefontaine de Luxe" etched on the blade. I'll post better photographs once it arrives:

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/attachm...2&d=1360135350

I chose this razor simply because I like the look of it - despite the fact that I passed up on a Puma in the same condition for $10 less to get it. It's an aesthetic hobby, isn't it? I can't find any information about this razor anywhere, so it might be rubbish steel (though I'd be surprised). It seems to be in very good condition with no nicks, rust or frown. The scales look original. It's not been cleaned.

Does anyone know anything about this razor? I did find a thread suggesting that this razor was the "house brand" of a Canadian perfumer, sourced from different places (Sheffield, Solingen) at different periods. I can't find any mention of this particular one though, nor whether they are quality razors.

Incidentally, I know that it's a bad idea for a newbie to purchase a razor that isn't shave-ready, let alone one which may well be badly beaten up. However, I've got all the stones, sharpening gear, polishes and abrasives from years of sharpening and restoring old woodworking tools and knives, so I feel I'm off to a slight head start with the restoration side of things at least. But I don't think I'm somehow ahead of the game or a know-it-all with getting a sharp edge. Like sharpening tools, using straight razors is a discipline, and the foundation of discipline is humility. It took me two and a half years to produce a chisel edge I would even call satisfactory, and even then I'll be chasing better technique and consistency for the rest of my life.

I'd like to have someone with more experience hone this razor before I try myself, but I don't know who in Australia might offer that service.

Well Edward, lets start off with where you're from in Australia and we will put your feet onto the path of shave ready razor Nirvana! In Sydney you have Os (Onimaru55), in Melbourne you have John (johnmrson), Brisbane you have a few of us here, but James (jimbo) is our local guru, Sunbird up in the North of QLD would be able to help I reckon as well. That covers the east coast for you now.


Mick

Thanks for the help. I'm in Melbourne, so I'll be off to see James shortly after my razor arrives - he's very close to where I am. I'll keep you posted on progress. In the meantime, I'll work on acquiring a strop and brush.

Can anyone say anything about the mysterious origins of this razor?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by EdwardRoland

Thanks for the help. I'm in Melbourne, so I'll be off to see James shortly after my razor arrives - he's very close to where I am. I'll keep you posted on progress. In the meantime, I'll work on acquiring a strop and brush.

Can anyone say anything about the mysterious origins of this razor?

---

I actually purchased one of these razors from a member here. Its still in transit. But my understanding is that Belefontaine was a druggist/chemist in Montreal and sold these razors under their own name. Similar to Peter J. Michels in NY. The razors were obviously not made in Canada but in France. What the producer in France was is debatable. Just like PJM, I suppose it could have been anyone. I'd like to think that the one that is in transit to me was made by Theirs Issard/Le Grelot, but there's no way to confirm that as far as I know. But not to worry, there are plenty of no name razors out there that are wonderful and will rival any of your trophy razors as well. I hope yours is all of that and more.

Attachment 121773 Attachment 121774

New pics after a bit of spit and polish, and a few coats of Renaissance Wax. Going to be honed in a few days.

Attachment 121775

Last picture. Obviously nothing compared to many of the razors on here, but still something I'm very happy with for my first razor. Quite cheap, too.

Now that's a razor I could happily find a home for right here with me. That one is the sort of style I like too. Wide and squared up.


Mick

That is a fine looking razor you have got there. I can see why it appeals to you, it certainly does to me.

Bob

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by EdwardRoland

Attachment 121775

Last picture. Obviously nothing compared to many of the razors on here, but still something I'm very happy with for my first razor. Quite cheap, too.

---

Bah, that's a damn fine looking razor. Be happy with it. I think you picked up a great one. I like the square tip. Some people don't like the square tips but I prefer them. Once its ready to go, report back and let us know how the shave went. I'm going to say that its going to be really good.

Indeed it is a decent razor. I am restoring one myself. Seems Bellefontaines have been fabricated in Solingen, Germany and in France. Mine is from Solingen.

Have fun with it! Congrats!

Looks like a keeper to me, very nice!

I had hoped that this would be the razor I would learn to hone with (I purchased another "shave ready" razor from Larry, which has yet to arrive). However, I have attempted to set the bevel on it and am too concerned about damaging it to continue - because of the slight smile I've been using an X-stroke with the razor at 45 degrees. Although I can remove an entire bevel of permanent marker with one stroke, I tend to ruin the edge by lifting the spine at the end of the stroke.

All of which means that I'd like a third razor to practice honing instead...

What was that about RAD?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by EdwardRoland

I had hoped that this would be the razor I would learn to hone with (I purchased another "shave ready" razor from Larry, which has yet to arrive). However, I have attempted to set the bevel on it and am too concerned about damaging it to continue - because of the slight smile I've been using an X-stroke with the razor at 45 degrees. Although I can remove an entire bevel of permanent marker with one stroke, I tend to ruin the edge by lifting the spine at the end of the stroke.

All of which means that I'd like a third razor to practice honing instead...

What was that about RAD?

---

I don't know that I would call it RAD. That's simply making an intelligent decision. If you want to learn to hone, buy some rough blades from eBay.

Well, an update.

On the advise of forum members, I had johmrson of this forum (from Melbourne) hone my razor for me, and teach me a few things. He was wonderfully generous with his time and his knowledge, and I'd strongly recommend anyone else in the Melbourne area interested in straight razors to contact him.

I've had a few shaves with this razor now, only around the sides of my face (finishing the shave with my SE). My first impression was a rather unpleasant tugging, but that went away after 25 strokes on linen and 50 on leather. I also found that it's necessary to use a confident stroke, but without using any pressure, if that makes sense.

After 3 shaves I still haven't nicked or cut myself with the straight.

That is a sexy razor! I am super jealous. Congrats and hope it gives you many great shaves.

Further update - I can now shave my entire face to a respectable standard. Nothing fancy, but certainly better than using a cartridge. Not up to the standard of the SE.

The razor seems to really struggle with the area just under my nose, however. Seems particularly might hairs grow there. I find that a dozen strop strokes before attacking the area helps, but it's still an area that I need to improve.

I'm using this razor with a puck of Floris JF, Nivea aftershave balm and a Mühle "basic" 21mm pure badger, the latter very kindly given to me by JohnMRson of this forum. He also gave me a wonderful Ambrose strop (the Spanish horse, I think), which has obviously had a hard life but works beautifully nonetheless. Here's a picture (and no the razor isn't resting on its edge):

Attachment 123505

Shaving with a straight also appears to have single-handedly and completely cured the acne and dermatitis I've been suffering from since being a teenager.

Looking forward to receiving two sight-unseen razors and a 24mm Silvertip from WD in the next few days...

Nice razor!

Man that's a nice razor! I just bought my first too. A Dovo Best Quality 5/8 Blonde. The scale color looks the same as yours. Wasn't my first color choice but it's grown on me.