Hello from Issaquah, Washington, USA

I just inherited this razor from my step-dad who passed away. He got it from a neighbor, never used it, and I think it is at least 40 years old that I know of. I took it to an "Art of Shaving" shop at Bellevue Square Mall, and also to Excalibur at the same mall. Everyone there drooled over it, but couldn't really tell me anything about it, other than it seemed to be carbon steel all the way through the blade and that it was made in Spokane, Washington.

On one side, the blade has the words "Spokane Imperial B.S. Co." on one line, and "Spokane Wash" on the second line.
Other side of the blade has the words, "LET 'ER BUCK"

Running my finger over the edge of the blade it feels sharp. Running it on my wet, lathered face, it won't shave. I can't even cut hair on my arm with it. Using a Mach 3 blade I have to shave in the morning for work, and if I am taking my wife out to a black tie dinner, or formal night on a cruise ship, I have to shave a second time. When I don't shave on Saturday, my daughters won't cuddle with me because "Daddy has a sharp face". The guy at the store trying to sell me a straight razor told me that I could get away with shaving every other day with a good straight razor.

Any information you guys can share with me to make this blade something that I can use, I would appreciate. I support a family of five driving a school bus, so any hints for making this work for the least amount of money would be appreciated.

Thank-you for your time.

You can take it to a place that sharpens knives and have it sharpened for about $20. There's a place in Ballard that I looked into (can't recall the name). You can just Google it.

You can learn to hone but hones are expensive. I'm personally trying the micro film approach but it's still a work in progress for me as I'm new here as well.

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Originally Posted by gcbryan

You can take it to a place that sharpens knives and have it sharpened for about $20. There's a place in Ballard that I looked into (can't recall the name). You can just Google it.

You can learn to hone but hones are expensive. I'm personally trying the micro film approach but it's still a work in progress for me as I'm new here as well.

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PLEASE don't do that! Sharpening knives and sharpening razors are very very different propositions and there is no guarantee whatsoever that a knife guy is proficient in honing razors. Check out the guys who advertise in the classified here:

Member Services - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

and you will be sure to get a shave-ready edge. I don't offer professional honing services, so I am *not* advising this for personal gain. But please benefit from the experience of many of us - myself included - who at one time or other have lived with sub-standard edges. The pros don't charge much, and their work can make the world of difference.

EDIT: I should note that there are of course knife guys who can hone razors. Just don't make that assumption. The pros who advertise in the classifieds WILL give you an excellent edge. Some guy in a knife shop might. Probably won't, but might. In short, it ain't worth it.

Welcome, Sparqui!

I have a good friend in Issaquah (beautiful town!) who has successfully used micro polishing sanding film to hone his razor. I prefer a hard Arkansas stone but sometimes use a $9 carbide stone from the hardware store so expensive tools aren't a necessity.

if you don't have one I would encourage you to get a good (not necessarily expensive) canvas and leather strop. That's the tool that will turn your razor from being just a very sharp knife into a great shaver.

Be patient, take your time, use a light touch, be careful and have fun!

Jeff

Just a heads up and a Hello to another PNW'ter we have quite the active membership up here in the PNW and INW here is a link to the last few Meets in the area

http://straightrazorpalace.com/get-t...pokane-wa.html

There are some good fellows here that are building their honing skills and might hone that up for you for the cost of postage... Guys? Five kid on bus driver pay, we need to get you in on the cheap.