Thread: Question Regarding unhoned NOS 7/8 Friodor

I'm ready to begin getting this shaving sharp, but was just struck with the notion that I may not have anything with a low enough grit to set a bevel. My arsenal includes a Norton 4000/8000, a vintage coticule, a Handamerican system including honing film/ diamond spray. I have many various paddle/balsa crox setups. My lowest would be a well worn medium DMT diamond 6" bench but I can't imagine using it on a razor, I also have one old barber hone ( kind of a small swaty) ANd a few leather pads that I've charged with black valve grinding paste. Any tips greatly appreciated, I'd be pretty ****ed if I mess this razor up, it's my finest piece and one I hope will be my best shaver. I also bought an old wade and butcher wedge and was I ever shocked to see that it was a midget, although not as small as a corn razor, it's 5 1/2 closed but the blade is maybe 2 " with no hollowing, ,so I guess 3 layers of tape to achieve a bevel, I've never done a wedge or a New razor. Thanks in advance, Mike

Well you do have a Coticule, and technically you can cover a lot of ground with it.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/advan...le-honing.html

http://www.coticule.be/unicot.html

Some coticules are capable of setting a bevel. Others are not.

If it's NOS< it probably has a bevel and just needs keening up. You don't always need to drop down so far. Start at 8K, then if that fails down to 4K. The higher you start, the less likely you are to damage the razor.

if this blade as much as important as you mention i would suggest send it out or buy cheap blades and train yourself on ugly blade.as soon as you feel save then go head try that blade. What has been said before me specially by jim and not all coticules same is correct too. Hope this helps

Thanks for the replies, they are all very good advice. I'll take a very close look at it, I have a 10x loupe. I had thought to send it out, but then I could have had it done prior to shipping, I'd really like to do it myself. I've managed to bring a few antique shop razors up to shave ready. I think I'd like to use tape as well, so I can keep it looking nice as well. It's being stainless also throws a bit of a wrench in the works, although one of my best shavers is a stainless Clauss that I own.
I'll just have to fight to curb my impatience . Thanks again, Mike

Well, I bought two of these. One had a usable factory bevel that even I could bring to shave readiness with a Coticule. The other I sent to Bart because like yourself, I did not really feel like doing something stupid with it. Two of our honemeisters told me that the Friodurs vary in ease of honing, so...

Good luck with yours,
Robin

The one I had, had no edge whatsoever OOTB, but honed really easy.
In any case they shave great.

I honed an 8/8 friodur once.
It was very hard, and not a thing I would recommend for someone who is going to make inevitable beginner mistakes.

Originally Posted by Vektor67

My arsenal includes a Norton 4000/8000 ... a Handamerican system including honing film/ diamond spray.

That's all you need. You can set the bevel on a Friodur just fine with the Norton 4k (done it on nearly a dozen of them), and the 8k side followed by a little diamond or chromeox will get you the rest of the way.