Thread: Hone of the Day

Of the many razors that I own, this one is my favorite. It's stamped Chashuf Schmidt St. Louis and it's about as plain a razor as you'll find. I probably couldn't sell it for more then $10. But here's why it's special to me. I learned to hone and use a SR at the same time. After many failed attempts at both, I had my AH-HA moment with this razor. I had other blades that I worked on, but this is the one that I kept taking back to the hones and kept improving. I shaved with it almost exclusively for months and it's still my go to razor. It's got stains and light pitting and the scales are scratched and dull. I could make it look brand new again with about 90 minutes of work, but I don't want to. It's got character. Thought I'd show this little guy some Coticule love today. It came out great, but I think I like this one better with a Naniwa 12k finish.

I also learned to hone and shave at the same time, so it can be done. I have high end Japanese kitchen knives and had Japanese hones for them, some of which were razor grade so it didn't really make sense to do anything else.

Cheers, Steve

I did the same learning process as you (BeJay) and Steve56. It took dedication and a lot of youtube watching to get comfortable with the process. I had a few nicks, mostly square
points, but it was worth it. I look forward to every morning and my shave ritual. I started out with two razors I bought over forty years ago for 3 dollars each at the Jay County IN
tractor and engine show but got put in a drawer and ignored until about a year and a half ago. I now have fifty razors, several stones, four strops, six brushes, etc. I will have to
come to my senses one of these days and quit buying stuff. I'm happy I discovered this hobby/sport/activity.

Glad to see you back Tom, you going to try to make Charlie's meet in February, I'd sure like to see you again. Tc

Tell me about it, TC. This is fresh news to me. If possible, I would like to make it.

Honed up a French Gelle Freres faux frameback fresh from some TLC at chez Alfredo. Progression was Shapton Pros 2k, 5k, 8k, koma, and tomo nagura on a pale Nakayama asagi. The edge tests very well, shave tomorrow!

Cheers, Steve

This razor is stamped "GOLD BEETLE" on the front and "MANGANESE" on the back. Where's it from and who made it? We'll probably never know for sure. It's very well made though and took a nice tiny little bevel. If I had to guess I would say it's Japanese. I've not touched my Nortons for quite some time, but I decided to give them a go. I got my Naniwa Super Stones a few years ago and didn't looked back(until today). I was going to finish on the Coticule but decided to just leave it at 8K. Funny thing about the Norton is it seems to give a better edge then it did a few years ago. I guess these stones get better with age.

Originally Posted by BeJay

This razor is stamped "GOLD BEETLE" on the front and "MANGANESE" on the back. Where's it from and who made it? We'll probably never know for sure.

My bet would be Germany where they also made Gold Bugs. Must be related

http://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwi...old_Bug%22_5/8

I am intrigued by the Gold Beetle razor you have there. Typically German made razors will have a stamp on the tang indicating "Solingen" or "Germany," so the word "Manganese" on the back of the tang is something of a mystery. Of course the beetle is an ancient Egyptian motif, also known as a scarab and the scales have a near eastern look to them. My best guess would be this razor was produced in Egypt, or possibly in Germany for sale to tourists in Egypt.