Thread: Did I do okay? Bismarck...

Hi all,

So I have been lurking and researching for a while now looking at making a move the SR shaving, and being the guy who loves vintage tools etc, as much as I just wanted to buy a new Dovo or the like just to get something I know is right from the get go, I keep being drawn to older, more vintage razors. I have honestly been nervous about buying crap so I have been waiting for a while...

Well today I was wandering around a little antique/collectable store jammed to the rafters with so much stuff you have to move things just to see if there is stuff behind them, I came across this Bismarck Razor Works Solingen Germany razor. It doesn't really seem super old, but the scales are bone and the blade looked pretty straight without any knicks or severe honing wear. After humming and hawing a bit, I combined it with an old scout knife he also had and made him an offer and got it. In the end it cost me $25.00, which seemed fair enough...

Now being a handtool woodworker, I have done my fair share of sharpening and have waterstones up to 8000 grit plus strops and green honing compound, so I thought I might as well give honing a try. It would take some hair off as it was but it was dull for sure. I wasn't really sure the best way to go about it but I just went for it. I started by putting a piece of tape across the back and pretty much just laid it out on my 1000 stone and started gently working it. After establishing the initial bevel and removing the burr, I moved up to a 4000 and then an 8000. I then used my strop with green compound for about 40 strokes total and finished it off on bare leather...

Now it seem to take the hair off my arm with no effort whatsoever, although I must admit I am a bit nervous about tackling my face and neck considering I have never shaved myself this way before, let alone sharpening my own shaving equipment for the first time, but I think I may just gently give it a go...

Am i nuts???

You, sir, are one lucky devil! 25.00 is about the average for an eBay buy with half the quality your pics show. Nuts? Crazy lucky nuts! I'm the one that would find the chipped blade with broken scales in the same store you were in and consider myself fortunate. I have a Bismarck Solingen nowhere nearly as nice as yours. But the proof is in the useage. It should sing a song of whiskers when you use it. If you have watched all the videos and read all you can on the SRP wikis you should have no trouble. I started by just a WTG shave and finished the rough spots with my DE. Take it easy. Remember razor angle, Good lather. Take it slow (it's not a road race -( you are your own competitor). Admire the results as you move up one shave at a time and let everyone on SRP know how you are doing. Ask a lot of questions. We are all brimming over with more advice than you will ever need. I'm a newbie myself and I've learned a lot by asking and exchanging with other members.

One thing, if I am reading your post correctly, you said you set the bevel and removed the burr. If you honed to the point of a burr, then you took too much metal off. I am sure honing that way will work but most will "sneak" up on a bevel so they are not removing more metal than necessary.

Very nice razor for 25 bucks.

You seem to have got a nice vintage razor there. If you are unsure of honing or shaving there is more than enough info in this sites library. Good luck shave testing it.

Bob

Originally Posted by Chugach68

One thing, if I am reading your post correctly, you said you set the bevel and removed the burr. If you honed to the point of a burr, then you took too much metal off. I am sure honing that way will work but most will "sneak" up on a bevel so they are not removing more metal than necessary.

Very nice razor for 25 bucks.

Really? I never knew that about the burr in regards to razors. In woodworking, we want a burr before moving onto the next grit. When honing a razor, what should indicate when it is time to move up to the next grit? I am very interested in learning to sharpen well...

Lots of info on here about honing, I have spent many hours reading it. I am sure a burr is not the end of the world, but the edge of razors are definitely different than tools. Over honing can also cause micro chips with some razors. Have you looked at the bevel with a loupe or microscope?

Don't be too worried about shaving, just remember, SLOW....take your time, watch your pressure and angles. Most recommend just doing wtg on your cheek to begin with. I started with full face and 2-3 pass, but that because I am rebellious like that..

Originally Posted by bobbybirds

Really? I never knew that about the burr in regards to razors. In woodworking, we want a burr before moving onto the next grit. When honing a razor, what should indicate when it is time to move up to the next grit? I am very interested in learning to sharpen well...

This might help you get started Category:Honing - Straight Razor Place Wiki . Lots of info in the sites library/wiki.

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

This might help you get started Category:Honing - Straight Razor Place Wiki . Lots of info in the sites library/wiki.

Bob

Found the library and been reading for about an hour now... lol!

Thanks for the thoughts and hints guys!

I have a Bismark just like that one. It's one of my favorite razors, takes a great edge. I can tell you this, you wouldn't get mine for 25 bucks!

You made a fantastic find. Welcome to SRP. You received some good advice above. Read all you can and read some more. You are about to learn a new dimension in honing. Enjoy!