Thread: Ruined my straight razor in Vancouver

Originally Posted by ace

The Gold Dollar might be fine, but it likely did not arrive "shave ready". You can search the forum here for honemeisters near you, and they'll put it in fine tune for you. Also remember that there is stropping and then there is "stropping". Nobody starts out good at stropping right away. That's why you see so many threads here on "nicked strops". I haven't nicked one yet, but I suspect my stropping form is sub-par and I've been working on it for weeks.

How do I search for folks in my area? A very kind member has stepped up and offered to hone my blade, and I would have to ship it out to him, however if I could get this done locally that would be terrific.

Originally Posted by chattersking

How do I search for folks in my area? A very kind member has stepped up and offered to hone my blade, and I would have to ship it out to him, however if I could get this done locally that would be terrific.

That's what I was just trying to find out for you. I know I've seen it listed here somewhere, but I can't find it.

If you have a strop practice using a butter knife, that way you don't screw anything up. When you get your razor back from being honed and until you are comfortable stropping try laying your strop on a table/counter top, that way it will be flat and lesson chances of ruining the edge. Then when you feel confident enough try letting your strop hang when stropping.

BTW, good luck in your str8 razor journey!

Originally Posted by Skippy

That's what I was just trying to find out for you. I know I've seen it listed here somewhere, but I can't find it.

I have some experience sharpening knives with stone however this straight razor seems to be out of world.. Eventhough I havent nicked or chipped it under naked eye, its still not sharp. I dont see any edge, or mirror shine like I see on my knives after sharpening.

I just found this page- Member Services - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

I think there might be a page where it shows honing services by area, but I don't know where it is.

Originally Posted by chattersking

I have some experience sharpening knives with stone however this straight razor seems to be out of world.. Eventhough I havent nicked or chipped it under naked eye, its still not sharp. I dont see any edge, or mirror shine like I see on my knives after sharpening.

Sharpening a straight razor is different than sharpening a knife. It involves hardly any pressure, as well as other stuff.

Originally Posted by Skippy

Sharpening a straight razor is different than sharpening a knife. It involves hardly any pressure, as well as other stuff.

I understand, its obviously comparing apples with oranges. Im going to search the member map and see if I can find someone locally, otherwise I would ship it to the US.
I think a mixture of a cheap razor + information overload + inability to determine a true sharp edge led to this disaster. Hope this serves a lesson to all other adventure seekers

hey,

don't feel bad. I did practically the same thing. Except I actually thought I had to hone the razor before each shave. I was fortunate enough to realize that I was up to no good early on and then Catrent helped me out and honed it for me since we both live in edmonton (thanks buddy, it's shaving great!)

If you can find the money you should just buy a razor from straight razor designs. the sharpening is free and it will be honed by the absolute best.
You could buy a Dovo for 68.00 and then shipping (and maybe tax?). If you pay 20 dollars to hone and ship it both ways you probably will not save too much money overall. Plus if you buy the dovo you will now have a shaving razor that is a perfect example of a honed razor and a razor to practice honing on.

That's what I would suggest.

Stultsy

also,

if you want to get your razor sharpened Scott at rasagepoulin in calgary offers this service. I've never used it but you can check it out at www.rasagepoulin.com

stultsy

I don't know about the Gold Dollar razor, but it seems like the ones that are not recommended (no offence).
Perhaps you should explore the classifieds section in order to get a restored not-too-classy-and-expensive-already-professionally-honed starter. Just thinking about the fact that maybe the honing service (even locally) would exceed the actual razor cost. On the other hand, since it appears not to be a hi quality razor, it will not retain the sharpness.... just a thought and good luck!!!!