Thread: handmerican - 20/20 etc.

First, thanks to all of the people here who have purchased and used handamerican products over the years and for the many kind words that have been written here about us.

I would like to explain to all of you that it is my personal policy not to interfere in forums where my work is discussed. You should feel free to speak openly and have no worries about offending me. This is why you don’t hear from me. It has nothing to do with anything other than the fact that you should be candid, fair, and honest and I believe my presence would inhibit some people.

I’m writing now for several reasons. first to say thanks of course, a lot of you have been very supportive of us, but also out of my respect for my friend Lynn Abrams whom I’ve known since he started the SRP. Lynn is a gentleman and a real pal, we should all be glad that he’s here. Any paragraph written on the renaissance of straight razor shaving without mention of Lynn would be poorly written.

I’m also writing With regard to our new 20/20 honing system, Several legitimate issues were brought up here and it’s easier to address them once and as additional questions arise I’ll handle them on the site.

First, as a honing system it is remarkably good. If you consider yourself an expert on using a stone and are 100% pleased with your results you may not need it, you may still enjoy using it, but you may not need it.

I designed the system for the many people who have contacted me asking advice on how to use a stone on many items including razors and knives. The honest answer is that a lot of people just are not going to get it - it isn’t going to happen.

It doesn't matter how many stones you buy, you may just be one of those folks who do not have a lot of skill in that area, and more than likely it isn’t the stone - but that doesn't make you inferior or a bad person.

The truth is that you can use stones, and steels, and ceramic rods and a whole bunch of things successfully, you just need a different approach.

There are several reasons why people have trouble using stones, for now suffice it to say that some people need a better method of control. They need to be able to see what they are doing, and they need help with maintaining consistent pressure and angles. That’s where the 20/20 system helps - you can actually see the edge changing as you work on it. You can work the entire edge, or just the parts that need help. Of course the blade is held firmly, It all makes a big difference.

I’m not immune either, for instance, I own an 18th century Mappin brothers razor, I’ve had it for years. It shaved well for some time and then all of a sudden no matter what I did I couldn’t get to work. Once I got the 20/20 system up and running I loaded the razor on and using various small stones, papers, and ultimately my strop I had it back shaving like a dream - to the point where my face squeaked after a splash of cold water - which is my personal shave test.

The other thing that was brought up was the possibility of damaging a razor when loading it onto the plate. It’s a genuine concern, you do have to be careful, but we can show you how to place the blade on the plate without causing any damage, and of course how to get it off as well.

For those of you who do restoration work, I do too, and I’ll never do it again without this system.

Our regular products wiill be back up this week with some new additions and much more helpful info.

I think the SRP has been around for at least seven years which may be the next time you hear from me. But you can always call or email, the contact info is on the site and I’ll be happy to help you as best i can.

Thanks again & good luck,
Keith De’Grau
www.handamerican.com

I just wanted to add something to my post. After reading a little bit here I learned that Bill Ellis had devised a magnetic holder similar to our 20/20 system.

Please understand that Bill is friend of mine, yet I had no idea that he had such an item. He sent me his restoration video some time ago but I use a Mac and couldn’t open it so I never saw his design.

He had the idea for a rare earth magnet holder in 1992, I had mine in 1997. I decided to commence with production now after the people at RAM mount agreed to help me with the arm design.

I called Bill earlier and we talked about it, he’s a great guy and a real gentleman. We’re still pals, and he was very encouraging with regard to the system.

I just wanted to set the record straight, we don’t knowingly pinch other peoples ideas. We’re in the process now of doing a patent search which is the first step toward getting a patent.

Chances are there have been similar products made and patented and we’ll end up with a design patent for the top plate which is unique. When you’ve been designing products for awhile you learn that there’s nothing new under the sun.

For those interested handamerican should be back online this weekend with new products and ‘Old Dog’ strops

Keith De’Grau
www.handamerican.com

Good to hear from you!
I will have to check out that system!

Originally Posted by Keith De'Grau

...For those interested handamerican should be back online this weekend with new products and ‘Old Dog’ strops...

I'm glad to hear that.

Viktor

Thank god you will be back online soon; I am almost out of wet-dry sandpaper. The new 20/20 tool looks great. I already have one of the jigs that Bill sells. Actually Bill did not come up with the concept either; it was a member here that Bill credited on his restoration CD. The idea of taking the stone to the razor instead of the razor to the stone is very interesting. I look forward to brousing the new content on your site.