Hi Y'all,
Use it?, lose it? Or frame it?
What would you EXPERTS do? I have three of gramp's razors and thought I would use this one. Will it shave well enough to justify "violating" an unused razor. Does anyone know how old it is?
THANKS A BUNCH
Hi Y'all,
Use it?, lose it? Or frame it?
What would you EXPERTS do? I have three of gramp's razors and thought I would use this one. Will it shave well enough to justify "violating" an unused razor. Does anyone know how old it is?
THANKS A BUNCH
Use it if that is what you want. That's a nice looking razor. Bismarck is a good old name also. If you have never honed before or are new to honing send it out to be honed.
Ernie,
That's an old Bismarck, a coveted razors of yesteryear. I would think your grandfather would love to have you use it. That as well as your grandfather's other razors. A quality straight razor, especially passed on from your grandfather, is meant to be used.
Have the razors honed properly and use them. I'm sure you'll feel his blessing.
At least that's what I would do in your situation.
Thanks,
No, it's never been honed. I need to look for some good honing instructions. I'll do like you say to establish a "standard" of how it works then compare my honing skills to that first one by a pro.
Thanks Obie,
Any idea how old it is?
Yes, have them honed by a pro. Obviously I don't know how well you yourself hone. But for good measure, put them in the hands of a fabulous honemeister to set the standard. From there you can hone them yourself.
Most of all, that is a precious gift from your grandfather. Every time you shave with the razors you'll feel his presence in the shave den. That is an experience worth having.
Ernkie, others may be more qualified to answer that question. I would put in the first half of the 19th century. That is a topnotch razor. You are lucky, my friend, especially since the razor was your grandfather's.Quote:
Originally Posted by ErnieKim
Nice razor! Personally, I would send it to a pro honer and then use it weekly.
This might be useful Bismarck "Registered" 5/8 - Straight Razor Place Wiki
I don't think that is the exact model but it might answer some of your questions.
It's a 20th century razor which is what I think Obie meant. I'd guess 1930s or so, maybe later.
Unless you are well versed in honing razors if I were in your shoes i would not experiment on a razor like that. send it out for honing.
Yes, yes, Spendur, that's what I meant, the first half of the 20th century. Thanks for pointing that out. I am thinking particularly the 1930s. I've been working on my novel all day and my brain is fried.Quote:
Originally Posted by thebigspendur
A fine looking razor.
Obie, can you give us a hint on what about your novel is about?
Some great advice above,
and a great blade in your hands,
feel blessed, send it out, use it proudly, enjoy the shave, and the heritage Ernie.
pfries
Ernie,
Here's a link that should help. Most will have contact info, etc. in their post.
Member Services - Straight Razor Place Classifieds
Enjoy that razor, it's a beauty. Get it done professionally. :D
Regards,
Howard :)
Thanks for asking. As a rule, I don't like to discuss the novel I'm working on, because it takes the freshness out of the process. It's like repeating the same story twice, and the second time the story feels a little old. Let's say it's a love story with a musical background and set in Chicago, where I lived some years ago. The first novel, Will's Music, is another love story set in the world of radio and dance and set in San Francisco, where I also lived many years ago.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hirlau
Let us know when you're ready to release it.
A few years ago I acquired my Great Grandfather's Genco. It wasn't in as good condition as your Bismarck (a tiny bit tarnished), but still in good shape with very little honewear. I eventually honed her up and she's now in my rotation. Indeed, it makes me feel closer to my past and a man that I never met, and it's a razor that I will never part with. IMO you should do the same.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/show-...ers-razor.html
My great great grandfathers razor was handed to me by my Uncle. I wont use it,
For two reasons. One it has a wicked frown from years in the hands of a barber. The other is that I feel my Uncle gave it to me as a keepsake for future generations to see. I feel more of a caretaker of it.
If it was in as good condition as yours is, and it was his personal razor, I would be tempted to use it. Mine looks over my collection.
Welcome to SRP Ernie. That happens to be, as has already been noted, an excellent vintage brand in excellent condition. Add to that the familial aspect and it is a true heirloom. If you are just getting into shaving with straights I would probably buy a shave ready vintage straight out of the SRP classifieds and see if I was going to stick with it. If I decided to stick with it I would get a few more razors to practice honing until I got good enough to maintain the ones I had.
Then when I was real confident of my skills I would hone grandfather's razor. Or send it out, but don't mess with it yourself until you have full confidence in your skills, just IMHO. :gl:
BTW, one other thing occurs to me ....... it may be shave ready now, thanks to your grandfather. Like me, just 'cause its old, doesn't mean it is dull ...... :)
I will, thanks.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hirlau
I feel the same way about mine. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Obie
Hi Ernie, and welcome to SRP!
I agree 100% with Jimmy's advice. Since I don't have a razor that came to me through my family, I can appreciate how precious such an heirloom would be. So if I were you I definitely would use it one day, but maybe not right now. However if you do want to use it, send it to a pro to be honed, and don't go *anywhere* near it with hones yourself until you've got a firm grip on the process by practicing on other, less precious, blades.
And then enjoy using it for the rest of your life, and pass it on when the time comes. :)
All,
Wow, you guys are great. I am going to do as you suggest; get a decent razor to start out shaving with, then practice honing, then get Gramp's razor honed by a pro.
Again, thanks to everyone. I REALLY like this Forum, you're all real Gentlemen.
Ernest