Thread: What is a gold dollar a copy of?

We all know that the Chinese aren't good innovators these days. But they are good copiers (to a degree.). I am wondering since it's irritating to me that my GD 208 takes a wonderful edge so easily without effort and gives me the nicest shave of all my razors.
What it is a copy of? I am thinking a Thiers Issard. I don't own a TI yet but if this is true I think I will really like them. Anyone have thoughts? And as always thank you!


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It is a copy of a straight razor.

What Utopian said. I do not think much thought went in to designing them to a specific brand of razor. You are lucky you got a good one. What other razors do you have that it shaves better than?

Originally Posted by Hacker7

What Utopian said. I do not think much thought went in to designing them to a specific brand of razor. You are lucky you got a good one. What other razors do you have that it shaves better than?

It shaves a "hair" better than my Hart steel 6/8 square. The full hollow does shape to my contours a little nicer than the Hart. But both are on par for comfort. But MUCH better I mean orders better than a boker silver steel, a Ralph Aust french tip, and we'll see when my Portland Hydra comes in a few weeks.
Now I have gotten an excellent shave from my Hart steel, its really my absolute favorite. But it takes more finessing to get a good edge from that blade. I mean the GD cost me like 12 bucks! I rushed through the stones last night to practice honing on the GD and got an excellent edge again. I admit I don't have enough shaves with the thing to see how the edge lasts compared to my other blades because I just recently got somewhat good at honing. But I'm telling you for 12 bucks it gives a more comfortable edge and buttery shave than the above razors.
I was hoping its a copy of something nicer so I can just buy that and enjoy the real thing.

Yes Utopian thank you I figured that one out on my own!

You won't see much love for the Gold Dollars around here... But mine does hone up fairly easily and shaves nicely too.

I just find it doesn't seem to hold an edge for as long as some of my higher end vintage razors with presumably better steel (Le Grelot, Filarmonica, vintage Revisor, Hayashi Diamond.) Although the edge holding capabilities of the Gold Dollars are disputed by many, some saying it can last easily as long as any razor out there. But that hasn't been my experience.

I made sure to buy one that was fixed up and ready for easy honing. Some of the heel stabilizer had to be removed to ensure that it sat flat on the hones. It's not going to win any prizes for looks, but it shaves nicely enough. Especially for the price.

As far as it being modeled after any one manufacturer, as Utopian basically said, it basically is just a plain vanilla round toe razor design. It may have been modeled after one certain manufacturers razor at one time, but the shape is not distinctive enough to categorize it at all.

Originally Posted by Attila

You won't see much love for the Gold Dollars around here... But mine does hone up fairly easily and shaves nicely too.

I just find it doesn't seem to hold an edge for as long as some of my higher end vintage razors with presumably better steel (Le Grelot, Filarmonica, vintage Revisor, Hayashi Diamond.) Although the edge holding capabilities of the Gold Dollars are disputed by many, some saying it can last easily as long as any razor out there. But that hasn't been my experience.


I made sure to buy one that was fixed up and ready for easy honing. Some of the heel stabilizer had to be removed to ensure that it sat flat on the hones. It's not going to win any prizes for looks, but it shaves nicely enough. Especially for the price.

As far as it being modeled after any one manufacturer, as Utopian basically said, it basically is just a plain vanilla round toe razor design. It may have been modeled after one certain manufacturers razor at one time, but the shape is not distinctive enough to categorize it at all.

I see. Why no love? It shaves wonderful isn't that what its all about? Maybe the edge retaining problems are the same reason why it hones up so well. The metal is softer. I understand the beauty and quality aspect of this hobby though thats why I started this thread. As ironic and silly as this sounds I am looking for a quality blade basically that shaves like my 12 dollar one .

Well can anyone tell me what make of razor gives a similar "feel" of the GD but with a lasting edge? I know my boker is labeled "extra hollow" but it does not form fit my face like the GD. It feels stiff. The Ralph Aust is too frail and light for my tastes and my beard seems to destroy the edge.
I noticed the GD will "sing" when plucked at the edge and stropping. I was thinking a "singing steel" Thiers Issard would be comparable and possible what I'm looking for.

If you like it and enjoy it 0that is all that matters. I think the smooth buttery shave is more of a result of the honong. Give yourself a pat on the back. As you go along you will find your taste changing. I am into vintage razors. The older the better. I love the history and using a 100 year old object to do what it was intended to do. I am sure you didn't get into this simply to shave. Do what makes you happy. Good luck with your journey.

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To each their own.
But, After a bit of honing, the spine can develop a very sharp end on one or both sides. That can play holy Hell with a strop in a second. Also be aware that the shoulders can become sharp after a few honings and do very bad things to the near edge of your strop.
Not only GDs and double arrows, for sure.
Clean the spots up if needed!

The "no love" comes from the Gold Dollars and Double Arrows being so variable. I've got a good DA but I've seen other ones that won't take an edge. Most modern German razors and vintage are way more consistent and hold an edge for a long time

I had a couple to practice honing on - one was near perfect and easy to home - the other was a disaster - two razors ordered together probably from the same lot - so consistency / QA are the issues surrounding them to a certain degree.

On the other hand, like those of us who really like vintage razors, there are lots of folks that are right into modding GD razors up and heavily customizing them - and if you like doing that sort of thing and the expertise and effort that goes into - than you'll probably end up with a more than satisfactory razor.

Guys that seem to like them, also seem to do some pretty nice work with them as well - great if you're experienced.

If you're a noob just getting into straights, the GDs have and will discourage a lot of beginners...my two cents.