Thread: Modesto, Ca., says "Hi"

Hi everyone,

My name is Phil and I am new to the world of straight razors. I purchased "The World of Straight Razors" from Em's Place, online. Through his video I discovered Lynn Abrahms(sp?) and discovered he was the founder of this place. Glad to be here. Now I get to pick all your brains about straight razors.

Due to an heirloom gift given to me by my mom, I received a pair of straight razors from my Grandfather. One with some type of striped animal horn (black and white) handle and inscription that says Brummel Werks New York on the TANG. Also, I have the second one that says TUNGSTEEL on the scales and is made by a company called Shumate. Never heard of either as I am not into razors. I guess I am now though.

In any case, I will say so-long for now and see you out in the forums. Thanks again for being here as a resource for razor enthusiasts like myself.

~Phil L. Sr.

PS.....How does one contact Lynn for an answer to a sharpening question? Thx in advance.

Welcome! You have two razors of good repute there (especially a Brummel!) although whether they are useable or not depends on the condition. ANy chance of pics?

You can send Lynn a PM on here, or catch him many evening in the chat (link above, on toolbar)... also many other great people here who can help.

If you haven't already, be sure to check out the SRP Knowledge Database that Robin (BeBerlin) and a team of experts have worked to put together. It is a GREAT resource!

Originally Posted by BKratchmer

Welcome! You have two razors of good repute there (especially a Brummel!) although whether they are useable or not depends on the condition. ANy chance of pics?

You can send Lynn a PM on here, or catch him many evening in the chat (link above, on toolbar)... also many other great people here who can help.

If you haven't already, be sure to check out the SRP Knowledge Database that Robin (BeBerlin) and a team of experts have worked to put together. It is a GREAT resource!

Hello Benjamin,

Thanks for responding and telling me they are "decent" razors. Nice to hear.

I must tell you though - that I have marked myself with one of them already. The Brummel-Werk got me after I had it returned to me from the sharpening service I used. I don't want to badmouth the "service" who sharpened it but, the edge was wavy upon return to me and appeared done incorrectly or on a stone that hadn't been "lapped" in a long time.

The edge wasn't "wavy" before I sent it in to be re-honed, but after it's return one could plainly see it was irregular. It was NOT that way before it was sent in to the service. I also think that the bad sharpening job may have contributed to my mistake and ultimate injury. It wasn't cutting the hairs cleanly so I re-adjusted my hold and while doing so got a slice. I tried additional stropping before the cut too - but to no avail. So, I put it up for the time being till I can have my friend (a knife-maker) look at it and evaluate it.

Could that be possible? Cutting oneself due to a improperly sharpened razor blade? I would think "yes".

But I could just be looking for an excuse to blame it on someone else that I cut myself. Truthfully though I had purchased a DOVO "Bismark" weeks before and had used it successfully with only slight niks here and there. By the time I got my Grandfathers razor back from the sharpening service I had not "nik'd" myself once in about a week using my DOVO and the Shumate razors.

So, that's why I am asking about improperly sharpened blades being more dangerous then a properly sharpened one.

Ultimately I take full blame for the slip and slice in my cheek. What a way to remember my grandfathers razor - every time I look in the mirror to shave. Lesson learned - eh!?

Kindest regards to you, Ben.

~Phil L.

An improperly honed razor is definitely a dangerous razor. Not only will the shave be miserable, but the likelihood of cuts goes up as well, as you will need more pressure to get the razor to cut.

I'm guessing you sent your blades out to a knife guy for sharpening? Learn from your mistake...
If you PM Lynn, I'm sure he can get you squared away, as long as whoever played with sharpening them last didn't do too much damage.

As mentioned above, pictures would help to assess the situation.

Also... Welcome to SRP!!!

Greetings from Visalia...I'm only an hour or so to the south. Let me know if you need those razors honed up and we can meet in Fresno.

I have a suggestion for you and your grandfather's razors. Put them away. Don't touch them.
If you are interested in using them, then get another razor from the classifieds or elsewhere and learn how to use it first. The reason for this suggestion is that there is a high likelihood that you will accidentally damage your first razor. Trust me, it happens. You can drop it. You can hit the sink or the faucet. The hardness of straight razors means that they are brittle to impact and if you break your grandfather's razor you are not going to be happy about it. It's much better to sacrifice a razor that does not have sentimental value. Only when you are confident in your abilities to handle a razor should you try using your heirlooms.
Good luck and welcome!

Howdy from Fresnerd Looks like we have a few peeps in the general area Good to know..

Family blades are the best Getting one with training wheels is a good idea. When your familier with honing and all you can get out the heirlooms and be able to treat them kindly. I have one from my grandfather and one from my great grandfather I use them on special days

Welcome to SRP!

Yep, any chance of some pics of your razors..? We all like to see razor pics hehe!

You can also get hold of Lynn via Straight Razor Designs.com, which is the company he owns.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Thanks for the advice. I found out the hard way - which thru my life has been a regular method of learning - for me at least.

I contacted Lynn and he and I are discussing the issue. The edgeline is very obviously wavy and IMO needs re-honing to even it out from heel to toe. It's BAD, really.

Kindest regards for your advice. We'll talk more in the days ahead, I am sure.

~Phil Sr.

Originally Posted by HNSB

An improperly honed razor is definitely a dangerous razor. Not only will the shave be miserable, but the likelihood of cuts goes up as well, as you will need more pressure to get the razor to cut.

I'm guessing you sent your blades out to a knife guy for sharpening? Learn from your mistake...
If you PM Lynn, I'm sure he can get you squared away, as long as whoever played with sharpening them last didn't do too much damage.

As mentioned above, pictures would help to assess the situation.

Also... Welcome to SRP!!!

Thanks for the welcome and advice.........but it's too little, too late, though! Already using one of them (the SHUMATE) every other day. It shaves great after I honed and stropped it!

The Brummel-Werk "zebra" will "retire" (as you suggested) till I can figure out it's proper restoration steps. After seeing the one the link above takes me to I want mine to look just like it - if possible. It is beautiful when restored, imo!

I do trust you that accidents can and DO happen, and that things drop. But, not my razors! Not unless I have been imbibing would I drop my "live blades". I don't even like putting fingers or finger oil on them - from being a martial artist in the past and working with swords. My teacher frowned on anyone who actually touched their blade and they would be immediately wiped down afterwards to remove any human "traces" of metal destroying body oil.

Thanks again for the welcome!

~Phil

Originally Posted by Utopian

I have a suggestion for you and your grandfather's razors. Put them away. Don't touch them.
If you are interested in using them, then get another razor from the classifieds or elsewhere and learn how to use it first. The reason for this suggestion is that there is a high likelihood that you will accidentally damage your first razor. Trust me, it happens. You can drop it. You can hit the sink or the faucet. The hardness of straight razors means that they are brittle to impact and if you break your grandfather's razor you are not going to be happy about it. It's much better to sacrifice a razor that does not have sentimental value. Only when you are confident in your abilities to handle a razor should you try using your heirlooms.
Good luck and welcome!