Thread: Ruined my straight razor in Vancouver

Originally Posted by ace

You can't start shaving with a straight razor without screwing up. It's part of the learning curve. If it wasn't, it probably wouldn't be worth doing. Someone will comment on Gold Dollar razors, but I'm afraid that might be the problem. Being new at shaving, honing, and stropping all at the same time is a recipe for disaster. Find a way, which you are seeking here, to get a sharp razor, then gradually learn the other stuff in sequence. You've bitten off a lot here, but this forum and its helpful members will get you straightened out quickly.

I know, this forum is great and people always step up to help. The razor was not sharp at all from the very first, thats why I tried to strop it with plain leather belt and abrasive 0.5 micron paper from lee valley, also used old black and white newspaper but had no go, so I thought of using stones to put and edge but I really dont see any edge at all - its wierd and funny cuz I dont know where am I doing wrong.

Originally Posted by chattersking

I know, this forum is great and people always step up to help. The razor was not sharp at all from the very first, thats why I tried to strop it with plain leather belt and abrasive 0.5 micron paper from lee valley, also used old black and white newspaper but had no go, so I thought of using stones to put and edge but I really dont see any edge at all - its wierd and funny cuz I dont know where am I doing wrong.

Like I said, you've bitten off a lot here. As Skippy said, job one is to find someone to make the blade sharp for you. Step two will be to get a proper strop and learn (it does take time and practice) how to use it. Honing should probably come later. Trying to do all of this at the start is extremely difficult. Try to do it in steps.

Originally Posted by ace

Like I said, you've bitten off a lot here. As Skippy said, job one is to find someone to make the blade sharp for you. Step two will be to get a proper strop and learn (it does take time and practice) how to use it. Honing should probably come later. Trying to do all of this at the start is extremely difficult. Try to do it in steps.

Yeah I dont mind stroping it before and after use to maintain an edge, however at this point I need to have an edge first. The reason I bought this gold dollar was because it had some decent reviews to be used as an starter on this forum and many people said it should be good to go but mine wasnt sharp at all, I tried to shave so many ways it wont shave, it wont even cut a paper properly.

Anyways appreciate your help if you can point me to a good honemeister, preferably in my local Vancouver area.

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.

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.

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

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.

At the top right corner of the Member's Services page there is a search box. Type a location in there to see if you have someone nearby.

Well, don't feel bad, you're not alone.

I too have a gold dollar, one i purchased to practice honing strokes (just the muscle memort techniques). I've found it's great for this purpose, as well as learning to strop (with the edge dull).
Many people have stated that the gold dollar is made with decent steel and can be a good shaver with lots of work. I frankly haven't attempted honing mine, and if yours is anything like mine, it's too much work for a beginner.


Personally i suggest you should purchase a "shave-ready" vintage razor, since you've got so much tied up in hones, it'd be the cheapest way to get a high-quality razor with a good edge. Places like Whippeddog.com or theinvisibleedge.co.uk sell (partially) restored razors from $25-45.

Or buy yourself a dovo shavette with some blades, and buy a vintage on ebay to play with($10-15). that way you've got something sharp to shave with (that will always be sharp), and a quality blade to learn honing on. That's probably not the easiest rout, but it's probably the cheapest.

either way, good luck!