Thread: Rolls Razor blade honing

Got lucky today and found a spare blade for my Rolls razor in it's chrome case at a local antiques store.That got me thinking about honing it. Has anyone here reset/honed a Rolls Razor blade? If so, how did you do it? Thanks

Bob

Barbers hone or coti or synthetic stone progression should be fine

I take off the guard first, then a layer of tape. Try not to push down on the blade durring the stroke. Keep your finger on the spine and good luck!

Thanks for the reply. I kind of thought that but was more curious if you honed with the handle attached or blade only.

Bob

Originally Posted by alb1981

I take off the guard first, then a layer of tape. Try not to push down on the blade durring the stroke. Keep your finger on the spine and good luck!

OK. thanks, that is more like what I meant by how to do it. Yea, it looks like it could be a little fiddly to do.

Bob

I have a Rolls that I've tried to hone twice, and while it's sharp enough to shave with, I'm not particularly fond of using it. I don't know if it's Sheffield steel or if I'm just having trouble actually getting it sharp, but I've given up on the endeavor.

I don't know I have used mine once and did not mind it but everyone is different. As for Sheffield steel, the straights I have made in Sheffield seem to take an edge easy enough. I can see it being a PITA to hone a Rolls blade on regular hones and not the one that works with the razor's container.

Bob

Once you get a Rolls honed on the stones, you can KEEP it sharp on the built in stone. But if its in need of a bevel set, the rolls hone will probably never get it there. Then can be a pain, but get them right, and they shave fairly smooth.

Originally Posted by Magpie

Once you get a Rolls honed on the stones, you can KEEP it sharp on the built in stone. But if its in need of a bevel set, the rolls hone will probably never get it there. Then can be a pain, but get them right, and they shave fairly smooth.

+1 to that
Take a Loupe and check the edge. I cant tell you how many of these i have run into where the blade looks fantastic but shaves like sh!t due to micro chipping on the edge. The problem is that people who have them and use the hone tend to slap the blade down on hone when using the mechanisim causing tiny chips along the blades edge. You really have to be gentle on these or you will be spending quite some time on a 1k....

Ah yes, the sound of one blade slapping. Sorry couldn't resist. I can see that happening though, so I'll check for that too.

Bob