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???