Thread: Simmons Razor

Hey fellas, I recently decided that I want to learn to hone. So, I picked up a Simmons Hardware razor (with a microchip in the bevel) off anxiety bay, and decided to give it a whirl. I've done a little research, and found that Simmons sold a lot of Keen Kutters stamped with their name.

I've heard that Keen Kutters can have a rep of being made of very hard steel, and difficult to hone. While mine is not marked Keen Kutter, I am having a very difficult time getting this chip out; I've spent the better part of four hours on a 1200 grit stone, and I'm only 1/3 of the way though the chip.

Am I doing something wrong, or can a razor really be that hard?

Has anyone ever worked with one of these razors, any pointers?

Should I just consider getting a different razor to learn on?

Thanks for all of the help. I'm really excited to do this, and am glad to be in a position where I can seek advice from the people like the one's I've found here.

Well, "Keen Kutter" was the registered trademark of Simmons Hardware on everything from chisels to razors to kitchen utensils. I have found mine simple to hone, and it takes a great edge. If yours has a big chip in it it may have other problems-- generally a restoration razor is NOT the way to learn to hone. Honing is much easier (and easier to learn) with a new or like-new blade...

If you post some pics of what you've done so far we can help more!




Also, moving this to the "Honing" forum so the gurus there can help out.

Keen Kutter, wether made in Germany or St louis were the best in their day and are of good hard steel. 4 hours is a long time to get a chip out, if it's that big you may wish to pitch it and find another to practice on. As Benjamin said, pics would help.

at first try to use lower grit stone.
if you have norton 1k or anything around 800 grit will help.
Next don't be scared to use a little pressure while you are trying to take chip out.
it will need pressure to get job done on time.
gl

Throw a layer of electrical tape on the spine for starters. I like 3M for consistency and quality. Made in the MN so your helping our economy in a small way. A lower grit hone will also help until you've got the chip out. As others have said, not the easiest way to begin learning but it can be done with patience and persistence.

I always hone with one layer of tape on the spine, so when I'm working out a chip I'll usually have two or even three layers of tape on the spine depending on the size of the chip. For a chip easily visible with the naked eye I'd use three layers, and for smaller ones two only.

The extra tape concentrates the hone on the very edge of the razor only thereby avoiding putting wide bevels on the razor and protects against spine wear.

I use a 325 grit DMT and a small amount of pressure until I've got the chip right out and the bevel looks even through a loupe. Then I go down to one layer of tape, do 10 light X strokes on the 325 to correct for the removal of the tape then go to either a 1k Shapton or 1k Naniwa and then on from there.

This seems to work very well for me.

Here is my Keen Kutter "ROYAL", with gold wash pretty much intact.

Looks good!

Hows the shave?

Originally Posted by Stubear

Looks good!

Hows the shave?

Good, clean shaver.