Thread: Purchase decision has been made!

Hello Razorists,

I've posted a very long time ago to introduce myself.
Yesterday I added some text to that topic but it seems you can't revive dead horses here.
So I decided to post this new topic.

I was in doubt between a few good and expensive blades. Couldn't decide.

Meanwhile I found NTS. They are told to be improved Parkers, but I don't even know Parker.

Yesterday I searched for two hours for "Friodur" as the only term only. I once saw a new issue for only 70 euros but it is gone so it seems. However after a very very very long while I found the French version of Ebay. They have their own Ebay called Delcampe.

What did I find? A brand new NOS old Friodur for only 40 euros. I think I'm very lucky.

I'll try post some pictures. If I'm not mistaken, this should be a very good razor. It probably is blunt, so I'll need gear soon...

Looks like a nice find. Please send it out to be honed by a professional. Being shave ready is the single most important aspect of this hobby and honing a straight is a separate skill set all it own. There is a list of honemeisters under the "Member Services" part of the classifieds. Glad to see you on SRP and please ask questions as they come up. We have some very talented and informed people on this site.

I have several of that brand. The reason is I like them and can't walk past what looks like a bargain for one.

Nice score!

Two Friodurs reside here a 11/16 decorated spine in factory scales and an 8/8 worked spine in custom scales. Both are wonderful shavers!!

My advice is to send it out for a professional honing!

As far as ‘getting gear’ goes; wait until you have mastered the art of lathering, stropping and shaving before you even think of learning to hone!!

Honing is an Art in its Own!!!

If you could please add your location it would be a great help as there may be experienced help close by!!

OH! Here’s the 8/8!

Okay the razor came in yesterday.
Let me tell you what happened.

The razor failed the mid air hair cutting. That was to be expected.

It does not seem to be NOS, but slightly used.
There are turning marks on the back from stropping I think.
The looks are fine.

I did a test on my arm.
The tip can only shave off half the arm hairs it encounters.
The mid section shaves off arm hairs.
The heel part can't shave off any arm hair.

I have no strop so I gently tried this on a stack of new paper.
Very carefully, keeping the blade flat. Very light pressure.
It made the mid section a bit sharper.

I tried shaving.
It felt like using a disposable safety razor totally dry.
Some hair came off, I had to repeatedly scratch the same patches.
It irritated so much I had to abort mission when I was half way.

The shaving foam I used, from a can, left terrible stains on the metal.
I spend at least half an hour carefully rubbing it off with brain surgeon precision.
Man, what a crap that is!

A. What you say? Does the blade need honing or can I rescue this with some accurate stropping?
B. Do all soaps stain razors or just such these canned foam products?

Originally Posted by GeoffVane

Okay the razor came in yesterday.
Let me tell you what happened.

The razor failed the mid air hair cutting. That was to be expected.

It does not seem to be NOS, but slightly used.
There are turning marks on the back from stropping I think.
The looks are fine.

I did a test on my arm.
The tip can only shave off half the arm hairs it encounters.
The mid section shaves off arm hairs.
The heel part can't shave off any arm hair.

I have no strop so I gently tried this on a stack of new paper.
Very carefully, keeping the blade flat. Very light pressure.
It made the mid section a bit sharper.

I tried shaving.
It felt like using a disposable safety razor totally dry.
Some hair came off, I had to repeatedly scratch the same patches.
It irritated so much I had to abort mission when I was half way.

The shaving foam I used, from a can, left terrible stains on the metal.
I spend at least half an hour carefully rubbing it off with brain surgeon precision.
Man, what a crap that is!

A. What you say? Does the blade need honing or can I rescue this with some accurate stropping?
B. Do all soaps stain razors or just such these canned foam products?

For a nice razor like that, you owe it yourself and the blade to send it out to get it professionally honed to "shave ready".

You need to do this in order to understand what "shave ready" is, and from that, it will give you a base from which to measure your razors performance. Without having this, "standard", you may always be in doubt as to the state of your razor or future razors.

Besides, even getting some stones, if you don't have a proper, professional bevel set, you will probably just damage the blade.

You've waited this long, check out Member services in the Classifieds here, send it out, and then you will know the razor is perfect, and from there, you will know any problems you have shaving will be from your technique, rather than the razor.

I can't think of any member here who wouldn't recommend sending the razor out for a professional honing.

Good luck and welcome back!

Thanks I'm looking for a good address as we speak.

The bevel is flawless though. Seems stropping would do it but hey, let it happen.

What's the anser to question B.?
Do can foams cause more trouble by staining the blade than other products?

Geoff-

When did you notice the stains?

Shane

Yes, some canned goop can stain the blade. It can also be an effect of your local water chemistry (hard water), or a combination of factors. A little metal polish should clean it up.

Well, I know canned foam always clods the safety razor holder. Doesn't matter what brand.

However, I didn't expect this stuff to hold onto such pure steel surface. But it did. A greasy dull deposit. Very hard to remove.

Is Geo F Trumpers better? I got some but it's seems to dry up on yer face super fast.