Thread: Frederick Reynolds still one of the best

Here's my "rat razor".

Stained, not overly used, solid as a rock. Ran it across the hones, took a great edge in no time.


Looks rough, bevel looks better in real life than it does in the pic, that was the "before" pic. Shaves GREAT.

I I put mine to the hones again last night, this time with 2 layers of tape. The toe now shaves great but from the middle back not so much. It has no hone ware to speak of but the spine has a slight but noticeable increase in thickness starting about a quarter of an inch from the heel going towards the scales. I am thinking that might cause this. Thoughts? I think I will look at having a pro look at it and just see if I am nuts.

Originally Posted by mrsell63

__________________________________________
I always black the edge with a Sharpie Marker
to make sure the bevel is properly set.

Great tip, thanks.

Thursday I shaved with this blade, then took it to two different shops for the barbers to use. There were no complaints from anyone. Very great razor............

I've never had the pleasure myself, but I remember one guy, back maybe 5 or 6 years ago saying the Reynolds were impossible to hone and he'd never buy another. I guess I've heard that about Joseph Elliot too. Just shows to go ya ........ like my Grampa said, "believe half of what you see, and nothing that you read."

Thanks for the write up guys, now I'll have to get one ........ but I'll wait a few months until the prices go back down ! ........

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I've never had the pleasure myself, but I remember one guy, back maybe 5 or 6 years ago saying the Reynolds were impossible to hone and he'd never buy another. I guess I've heard that about Joseph Elliot too. Just shows to go ya ........ like my Grampa said, "believe half of what you see, and nothing that you read."

Thanks for the write up guys, now I'll have to get one ........ but I'll wait a few months until the prices go back down ! ........

______________________________________

Was that slartibartfast who complained about honing the FRs??

Originally Posted by mrsell63

______________________________________

Was that slartibartfast who complained about honing the FRs??

Nope it was someone else but I don't want to embarrass him so I'll never tell ........

Yeah...Who was that? Even had 'No More Reynolds' under his name! Good steel in them, from my experience. Last one I had going, It shaved wonderfully. Then a friend wanted it too bad!

Originally Posted by JimmyWetshaver

I have a FR Hamburgh Ring that is a darn good shaver. In fact this thread has me wanting to dig it out and use it so I think for tomorrows shave I will! I dont remember it being difficult to hone at all but it is more of a modern grind than many of the FR blades are.
I did work on a beautiful FR for a friend with a worked spine & Eagle Etching on the blade that presented some challenges on the stones but ultimately came out very nice. I know to this day it is one of his favorite razors. I keep looking for one like it to purchase one like his for myself but all the ones I have seen for sale want pretty ridiculous prices. Sooner or later ill grab one. Really An older FR with horn scales has been on my want list for quite some time.

You mean like this

Vintage Pre 1900's Frederick Reynolds Straight Razor | eBay

I am not selling this item nor do I know the person who is but this thread got me wanting to look at some FR's and I saw this one. Its only at .99 as of typing this. I wish I could throw 275 at it and snatch it right now.

Yeah good thing I got mine for 15 bucks. It has an etching of George Washington and says "champion of liberty". I saw another one just like it with really bug bitten scales for 150 on the bay. I think I did good.