Thread: Can't get a good edge on a ERN 4720

Hello Gentlemen: (1st post)
I acquired an older Ern 4720 from a Guy I work with, He just gave it to me, said his father in Law gave it to him years ago. The Guy I work with said he has no use for it so he gave it to me. It had a few minor nicks in the blade which I got down with a 220 then moved to a 1000. The problem is I think the spine is warn too far (not from me it was already like that) for a good cutting edge, However I am a beginner and this is my first Straight Razor.
Should I just send the razor out to be professionally honed? or get some quality stones and try it my self since the razor was free?
Also does anyone know of a shop that deals with straight razors or sells good honing stones in the Greater Rochester,NY area?? I'd rather support the local guy If possible. My budget is fairly light, with 4 kids and an enormous grocery bill :-)
Any input would greatly be appreciated.

If your not worried about ruining the razor then keep doing the laps. It might take an hour to set a bevel. If you want to speed things up a bit then do some half strokes. 10 one way and 10 the other.

Just keep doing it on the 1k stone. I bet eventually it will start to get sharp.

Sorry, I just seen it is your first straight razor.

If your not sure what 'shave ready' is, if you don't have anything to measure it against then maybe it is a good idea to send it out to be honed.

Originally Posted by Darren T

Sorry, I just seen it is your first straight razor.

If your not sure what 'shave ready' is, if you don't have anything to measure it against then maybe it is a good idea to send it out to be honed.

I guess I should of also posted that I have been shaving with a shavette for the last few months also I know nothing about were to send it or what stones to buy. There are a few here that are from the Rochester area, I'll hit them up for some info.

The razor is 11/16, full hollow ground with a square point. Stamped “Crown & Sword Razor Works Wald-Solingen” on the front of the tang and “ERN 4720 Germany”

Thanks for the feed back Darren

G'day.

ERN is a good brand of razor. I have one and she is a beaut.

Pictures of the razor would (not only feed my razor porn lust but) help any evaluation of its state as a potential shaver.

Also, before you receive a slew of advice stating exactly what you will find there... go see our WIKI. It is a wealth of info.

Good Luck

PM JoeD here on SRP he is close to you... and does know his way around a hone and more importantly has worked with restoring razors...

Thank you very Much MykelDR and gssixgun for the info.
I saw my post had been correctly placed in the hone section (Thank you Admin) then I saw the wiki and have been reading and following it now since yesterday. I understood some of the principles of sharpening but the WIKI was a huge help. After reading and following the wiki my edge has become straight and my problem area (the heal) is now starting to receive a good edge. gssixgun I will definitely PM joeD thank you.

I will post some pictures soon, I have to get to the store to get a new battery,my daughter did some movies with it for a school project and killed the battery.

Thank you very much again MykelDR and gssixgun, for a beginner like me you gents gave me some well needed advise.

I'm good at following directions The Marine Corps made sure of it years back :-)

I love my ERN razors, they are my favorite and I love honing them. If you ever need help with it, you can PM me, I will hone it for you for free as long as you pay shipping costs. Of course Glen already named somebody that is way more adept than I an but I will throw myself out there too if you need it.

Originally Posted by Disburden

I love my ERN razors, they are my favorite and I love honing them. If you ever need help with it, you can PM me, I will hone it for you for free as long as you pay shipping costs. Of course Glen already named somebody that is way more adept than I an but I will throw myself out there too if you need it.

I appreciate the offer very much, is very kind of you. I hope someday I can offer someone else the same option.

That's what it's all about, Mate!

Cheers.