Thread: Hi from Virginia

Like has offered that anyone here that would like to test one of their razors for themselves can get hold of him to get a sample blade for review. They keep a small stock of "do not sell" razors that may have issues with the scales or some other imperfections that may stop them from being sold to paying customers but would make for good review samples for judging the quality if the metal and their honing/sharpening practices.

If you would like to test one please
send me a PM and I will provide you with his contact information to set up a test run. In return he asks that you document your experiences for the community to view.

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Hi Jinxt,

Welcome from Aldie.

Originally Posted by Jinxt

Like has offered that anyone here that would like to test one of their razors for themselves can get hold of him to get a sample blade for review. They keep a small stock of "do not sell" razors that may have issues with the scales or some other imperfections that may stop them from being sold to paying customers but would make for good review samples for judging the quality if the metal and their honing/sharpening practices.

If you would like to test one please
send me a PM and I will provide you with his contact information to set up a test run. In return he asks that you document your experiences for the community to view.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

PM sent

thanks

Wanted to update since I haven't been on lately.

I received two of their Damascus razors to test but I have not had a chance to photograph them as I've been super busy.

One thing I can say though. The Damascus blades I received seemed sharp and shave ready but did a lot of pulling and not much cutting. Could be my total noob stropping more than anything. They may just need a final honing (I don't have any finishing stones, or stones of any kind) or just a proper stropping. The quality us much higher than the original I received. They are also giant razors compared to the vintage straights I have on hand.

Luke also let me know he recently worked out a deal with a US blade manufacturer and they will be dropping their overseas vendors and switching exclusively to US steel.

I'll post more when I have time.

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Mine didn't come shave ready but it wasn't warped like his was and had a slight smile to it. I do need to hone it up and see if it will hold an edge. My biggest problem is they don't have a clue as to how to hone a razor

@straightrazor: whats your process for honing? What stones are you using? Are you finishing up with a pasted strop? What paste are you using if you are?

@psywiped: We use a wet 3000/8000 double sided stone we also use a diamond sharpeners and electric strops. For automatic sharpening and stropping we use Chef Choice pro sharpeners. No paste.
Regards,
Luke

@straightrazor: your setting the bevel with a Chef Choice pro sharpener?

@psywiped: Chefs Choice Commercial Straight Blade Sharpener is the model. We start with 3000 wet onto the Chefs Choice then followed by a wet 8000 then Chefs Choice strop.
I hope that helps.
Regards,
Luke

That would make sense... If they can be properly honed and hold an edge they might be worth it when they have a good sale here and there.

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Im a newbie myself. One thing that I have always believed is if you buy the best you will always be happy with it. So I went with Dovo razor as I read that they make a great razor and I got a strop from straight razor designs (actualy I got the razor from them also) And I use shaving cream from "The Art Of Shaving" which I like. Good luck on this new venture as im sure we both hope that we dont slit our neck in the learning curve. So far Ive kept the blood to a minimum.

blood loss, smuud loss, just wrap some duct tape around it, and it will all be good, it only hurts when you remove it

Some more info on this razor:

betelgeux comments on TEST DRIVE - GB Buckingham and Sons Damascus steel and camel bone razor.

–]betelgeux (_) [S] 7 points 8 hours ago (10|3)
An unknown in the razor community in so far as I could find. I decided to take a chance and see if it could be true that someone is making a cheap patterned steel razor that wasn't just decorative,
The thing is massive 85 grams (3.95 oz). My Genco is less than half that at 37 grams. It's actually awkward and the scales are out of proportion
The pattern is impressive and even with a magnifying glass I'm not seeing any evidence that it's just an acid wash to make it look like folded steel.
The scales have tool marks that tell me that this is hand made and poor craftsmanship.
The first ill omen strikes. There is no country mark on the blade or the scales. This is bad. If you aren't willing to name the origin you are not playing above board.
Now to business. The edge looks like a 1000 grit belt was used to start the bevel. I start at 1000 grit waterstone and work up to 8000 before finishing with 3 micron diamond paste and green chromium. The edge is inconsistent and the nose and tail of the blade are wider than the middle. As I am getting close to finishing with the 8000 stone I notice that there are long metal bits on the stone face. A quick look with the pocket scope reveals them to be wire edge debris.
I've never seen this. Steel for a razor shouldn't be able to support wire edge like that. It's actually pliable. The blade has no "note" either. When struck or plucked it sounds like a lead coin dropped on stone.
I'm starting to wonder if this is even tempered - it sure as hell isn't acting like it.
The attempt to shave went worse. Two WTG strokes and it's only got about 1/3 of the hair. It's skipping and pulling, not worth it - I quit.
This is a decorative item in the same class as the Sweeny Todd blades. Overpriced and functionally useless. I bought this hoping I was going to be surprised but sadly it's the old adage once again.
If it seems too good to be true...

I actually bought a razor from featherrazor.com as well. I got my razor from them right after the sale. Good service. Nice scales. Had some hone marks but a little bit of time on the strop and I had a great shave. No complaints I got the Red High Carbon razor. Well worth the $20.00 I spent. The scales are honestly very nice. No complaints here. It is now in my rotation.