Thread: Any info on this vintage razor?

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Was not going to say that, but I feel same. Despite any other options, I think the OP can get it going and maintain it forever with that rock and a good strop. Nice pile!

Having no experience with razors but plenty with knives and woodworking tools, would you recommend sending it out to a pro to make it shave ready, or give it a shot myself? There's so little metal on it, I'm worried I'll ruin it without realizing. :-)

Surely the prize is the hone, The razor appears quite nice as well.
My advise would be to send the razor to a good honist here. Get a benchmark blade, Get another and read about, use, and get to know that stone as well as a good strop.

The Norton Co. purchased the Pike company in 1932. The hone you have (which is labeled Pike) was inventory that was re-boxed in a Norton box and sold. I have the exact hone with the same box. The later versions of this hones formula were labeled 'Norton' as Jimmy mentions above, and is highly prized. IMO they are the same hone...I have both and cannot tell the difference. In the top 5 of Barber Hones/Razor hones IMO.

Originally Posted by Wolfpack34

The Norton Co. purchased the Pike company in 1932. The hone you have (which is labeled Pike) was inventory that was re-boxed in a Norton box and sold. I have the exact hone with the same box. The later versions of this hones formula were labeled 'Norton' as Jimmy mentions above, and is highly prized. IMO they are the same hone...I have both and cannot tell the difference. In the top 5 of Barber Hones/Razor hones IMO.

Great info, thanks.

Do you know if these are used with oil, water, nothing? Also, both sides are so smooth I can't tell which is the "rough" side...

Geez. I think the labeled side is always the finest? Would be the black?

Originally Posted by JackSprat

Great info, thanks.

Do you know if these are used with oil, water, nothing? Also, both sides are so smooth I can't tell which is the "rough" side...

I wouldn't use that hone until I was really an accomplished honer. If it is indeed the Aus axeman's hone, it is purported to be a great razor hone, as well as an axe hone. That is a once in a lifetime find. Use easily replaceable hones until you've got the skills to use that without wasting it. IMHO.

As Tom (Sharptonn) said, send the razor out for pro honing. Knife sharpening is a totally different kangaroo.

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Surely the prize is the hone, The razor appears quite nice as well.
My advise would be to send the razor to a good honist here. Get a benchmark blade, Get another and read about, use, and get to know that stone as well as a good strop.

You said honist.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I wouldn't use that hone until I was really an accomplished honer. If it is indeed the Aus axeman's hone, it is purported to be a great razor hone, as well as an axe hone. That is a once in a lifetime find. Use easily replaceable hones until you've got the skills to use that without wasting it. IMHO.

As Tom (Sharptonn) said, send the razor out for pro honing. Knife sharpening is a totally different kangaroo.

That sounds like good advice.

If you want to try & hone it yourself, get another razor to practice with before you attempt to hone that one. If not then send it out to a pro to hone it. When I first took a look at that hone, it looks like one of the good ones to me!

Everyone seems to like the hone a lot... what makes it so good? Is it rare or just very good at honing razors? Why should a beginner like me avoid using it until I'm better at honing?