Thread: More Newbie Questions

Hello. I've been reading the forums, and I have a pretty good idea what I want and need for what I'm prepared to pay to get started, and yet I have questions.

I've experimented with getting razors from eBay and attempting to put an edge on them. I got an Edgemaker hone from RedTrader99 aka 'Tilly.' I lapped it smooth and flat with 600 grit sandpaper and set about trying to put an edge on this $10 Pakistani steel. I think I made it duller. I'm not sure this is entirely my fault, because the bevel, which should define the plane at which the honing action occurs is not really even and I suspect that limits my ability to keep the blade flat on the hone. And I'm not exactly sanguine about the prospect of trying to even out the bevel when I don't even know if I'm honing correctly.

I understand there is no great love of Pakistani steel here, but I figured since it was advertised as carbon steel, it ought to be able to take a decent edge. Possibly this exercise was a waste of time and money, but while I learn a lot of things from pure theory, some things I learn by getting my hands into it. I thought perhaps someone could comment on my intuitions based on what I've observed. First, something like the bevel is where craftsmanship comes in and illustrates why even if you could get a $10 razor into shape, it'll require considerably more work to do so than for a razor which has been crafted to be maintained with a barber's hone.

I assume 'carbon steel' encompasses a great variety of techniques and qualities. This blade has a lovely sheen and has attractive machining marks in the hollow. But I suspect that these are qualities that are easy to achieve with steel. It pretties up real nice.

I suspect that these $10 razors are not actually designed to be shaved with. They're more like novelty items. But can that be true? They seem to sell a lot of them on eBay. Are there that many people who think it would be nifty to have something that has the look and feel of a straight razor, even if you can't shave with it? Or is somebody shaving with these things?

Since I've gone on for some piece, I'll start a different thread for my questions about possible purchases. If you've read this far, thanks.

Good luck on getting any razor made in Pakistan to shave. Even the resident honing gurus have had minimal success with these razors. The steel is simply poor quality. When looking for a razor on eBay, look for stamping on the blade to indicate country of origin. There are a couple of eBay frauds out there, most notably razors that say "Solingen" on the handles. These, as well as the Kamisori razors, are all Pakistani manufacture. Blades made in Solingen (Germany), England (Sheffield), Sweden and France are typically good blades.

That being said if you want to tackle the razor as a honing project, make sure you look in the files area for information on honing. There is also a nice piece at http://www.classicshaving.com under the "How To & Why" section on honing.

Hi New Guy,

I’ve never handled a Pakistani razor so I cannot comment on what they are capable of. The conventional wisdom regarding them falls under the category of ‘you can’t polish a turd.’

As to carbon steel, all steel has carbon in it. That’s what makes it steel rather than iron. Carbon steel is just a convenient umbrella term to distinguish it from rust resistant steel alloys.

One of the things a razor requires to be used as a razor is a razor edge. And this requires proper hardness and tempering. With out it, the edge can never be honed to the requisite thinness without chipping or crumbling.

I could not say why substandard razors sell so well except to say all salesmanship is based to some degree on fraud. Or maybe that’s politics.

If you get your razor shave ready, be sure to tell us your secret. In the meantime, remember the first rule of shaving: It’s your face.

good luck,

Library Guy

Welcome.

Yeah, you're not going to learn very much out of the gate with that razor, so get yourself another. I've just started with the barber hones and it's a challenge. I thought I'd need something finer to get a good edge, but the Kimberly, which is about a 4000 grit, does a better job than the Little Devil. I think they'll work okay in tandem, but I've loaned out my Devil. Can't wait to pick it up tomorrow and try that out on a well worn Wolstenholm.

While you hone, remember: There's almost no such thing as too light on the hone. Also do sime research on the "rock & roll" method. This is necessary on all razors using the barber hones. They're too small for a straight push down the hone. It's a very subtle motion, but keep it even and light and you can create a good edge.

X

Darn...I just ordered a Kamisori strop...I already had a Pakistani POS strop and razor (the razor came free with the strop). I thought they were Japanese. And the Japanese understand sharp.

I've only heard about the Kamisori razors. I haven't heard anything about the strops, so keep us posted!

The Japanese do understand sharp. Unfortunately, there's a scammer trying to make a quick buck by misrepresenting his product.