Buy American!

I've been on an American razor kick for a while and I'm liking it. Bought a Hart Steel and a couple of Portland Razor Company razors. 6/8 in 01 tool steel 1/4 ground makes for a really good shave.

I own (and love) Swedish, German, British, and Japanese blades that are mostly vintage but these are an enjoyable change for me.

I don't like taped edges. Hate messing with it for touchups. Hate cleaning the glue residue off. Hate cleaning the ground in residue off my hones. All of these guys tape their edges for retail sales. Resetting the bevel on 62 Rockwell steel is a pain but once you get there, these blades really hold an edge.

I'm glad your happy , but you really should not be taping the edges anyway :shrug:
You are supposed to tape the spine. :)

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Originally Posted by Hirlau

I'm glad your happy , but you really should not be taping the edges anyway :shrug:
You are supposed to tape the spine. :)

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You are correct! Taped edges really cut down on the razor burn though :rock:

I plan on getting a Portland razor eventually.

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Originally Posted by kelbro

I've been on an American razor kick for a while and I'm liking it. Bought a Hart Steel and a couple of Portland Razor Company razors. 6/8 in 01 tool steel 1/4 ground makes for a really good shave.

I own (and love) Swedish, German, British, and Japanese blades that are mostly vintage but these are an enjoyable change for me.

I don't like taped edges. Hate messing with it for touchups. Hate cleaning the glue residue off. Hate cleaning the ground in residue off my hones. All of these guys tape their edges for retail sales. Resetting the bevel on 62 Rockwell steel is a pain but once you get there, these blades really hold an edge.

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Have you tried. Vintage American steel?
I haven't shaved with any that were sub par shavers. All have been exquisite so far. ( the older, the better ) JMO

I think he meant spine, lol.....

I got a few Williams and just got a Portland Leviathan. Very nice razors, well built and shave like a champ.

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Originally Posted by Hirlau

I'm glad your happy , but you really should not be taping the edges anyway :shrug:
You are supposed to tape the spine. :)

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I spit coffee all over my laptop when I read your reply!!!!! LOL!

There are definitely some great little straights from American makers. But I still favor my German beauties! I have a few PRC straights and love them. They are heavy and solid and will buy more I am sure. I am however wanting to try a BBC next to see what his are like. He is a bit higher in price and I guess that is what makes me a slight bit hesitant.

My only experience with American made razors are with vintage ones. I do like full hollow and bellied hollow German vintage razors. I have to say I have a few of that grind in American vintage razors and they compare very favorably in the shave department for me. Add to that the fact they are a bit of a bargain compared to vintage German razors of the same grind and you have a winning combination. For some reason I can't work up enough enthusiasm to drop the coin on a custom made razor.

Bob

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Originally Posted by outback

Have you tried. Vintage American steel?
I haven't shaved with any that were sub par shavers. All have been exquisite so far. ( the older, the better ) JMO

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Yes sir. Went through a couple. They were good but they couldn't knock my Solingens off the perch at the time. I usually keep two or three straights in my main rotation. One single edge Gem, one DE of some sort and a Kamisori. Sometimes I go for months though with just straights but like a little variety every now and then.

The best straight razor shave I've gotten yet was from a Genco, and my Torrey is no slouch either. Both are great shavers.

I got hooked on Genco's, Ontario's and Geneva's. For mass produced razors they still shave great after decades of use. They hold their edges with little maintenance. I have a Jerry Stark in transit. I am very curious to see how his razor performs compared to other US razors. I have German and Mastro Livi's but I guess growing up in upstate New York, I am fascinated with the NY razors.

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Originally Posted by kelbro

Resetting the bevel on 62 Rockwell steel is a pain but once you get there, these blades really hold an edge.

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What jumps at me is the fact that you had to reset the bevel on a brand new razor.

My first American razor was a long tailed shortie Hart Steel custom with cocobolo scales. I was disappointed in the finish. The cocobolo scales didn't have the pores filled and were rather rough. The makers name had inconsistent etching, strong and dark to light and the Hart Steel logo was put on crooked. I would not have purchased another except for the fact that their custom line had some very innovative and striking blade designs. My second Hart Steel was a thinned paddle tang custom square point, one of my most visually appealing razors. Once again the scales were finished subpar, but the overall look of the razor won me over.

I don't want to seem too harsh on Hart, but I expected a better fit and finish at that price point. Both razors are fine shavers and I really enjoy using the thinned paddle tang one.

I am interested in adding a semi-custom or custom American to my collection in the future. Attachment 243770Attachment 243769

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Originally Posted by Martin103

What jumps at me is the fact that you had to reset the bevel on a brand new razor.

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That would concern me. I have only bought three brand new and only one of them has needed anything more than a light 12,000 and the strop.

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Originally Posted by Martin103

What jumps at me is the fact that you had to reset the bevel on a brand new razor.

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The factory edge was nice but they tape their spines to hone. I don't so I needed to tune it a little.

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Originally Posted by kelbro

The factory edge was nice but they tape their spines to hone. I don't so I needed to tune it a little.

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Is it personal preference for you Kelbro? If so I get it. You can always set Your bevel on Your razor no matter where you get the razor. Remember it is your face that you are shaving.

Among my vintage American razors I have a Northfield (CT) that I love and use regularly and C.F. Wolfertz & Co. (PA) that I used a lot for a while there and enjoyed very much. In fact, I should call that one back up into the Bigs and put something else on the DL for a while.

I love the shaves from my Hart razors. It's a daily Hart Steel straight razor shave for me. I always liked the Le Grelot and Wade and Butcher 1/4 grounds, so I must just be a 1/4 ground fan. I too reset the edges from the taped angle, for ease of maintenance. There was absolutely nothing wrong with the factory edge, just a preference in maintenance.

I was so scared to hone my first Hart Steel that I used it for many months just stropping carefully and it did great. I took a deep breath when I finally did take the hones to it, but it all worked out well with help from this forum's extensive archives. For some reason honing an old Wade and Butcher or Le Grelot didn't make me nervous in that way. They are all great straight razors, so it doesn't really make sense, but so it was.

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Originally Posted by xiaotuzi

Among my vintage American razors I have a Northfield (CT) that I love and use regularly and C.F. Wolfertz & Co. (PA) that I used a lot for a while there and enjoyed very much. In fact, I should call that one back up into the Bigs and put something else on the DL for a while.

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Did you know that the Wilfertz factory was powered by dogs?!!!

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Originally Posted by outback

Did you know that the Wilfertz factory was powered by dogs?!!!

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Yeah! I read a thread on that a while ago. It's amazing and weird. I think this is the one http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...-grinding.html

Yep.. That's the one.

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Originally Posted by jwy77

Is it personal preference for you Kelbro? If so I get it. You can always set Your bevel on Your razor no matter where you get the razor. Remember it is your face that you are shaving.

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Yes, just something that I never got into. Seems like a lot of hassle.

Another very good quality American made razor is a H.M. Christensen. I had and sold a 5/8 square point and 5/8 round point but not until I had acquired a 6/8 square point as I like the larger blades. Had no complaints about the two I sold, both very fine shavers.

I am in the UK and am attempting to try American steel, but the customs office is currently holding onto my Nate's Straight! :aargh:

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Originally Posted by Hirlau

I'm glad your happy , but you really should not be taping the edges anyway :shrug:
You are supposed to tape the spine. :)

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He meant the fat edge, not the thin edge :D

And when you move 01 tool steel from a taped bevel to a non-taped bevel, magical edges occur.

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Originally Posted by kelbro

And when you move 01 tool steel from a taped bevel to a non-taped bevel, magical edges occur.

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It's also very difficult to cut yourself with a taped edge...

Women go to the extreme and tape their legs, when you remove the tape no need for an edge at all! Now that is magic, I won't be trying that on my face though... Or anywhere else for that matter.

You tape the bevel?

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Originally Posted by Martin103

You tape the bevel?

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It's a running joke from a mistype in the OP.

01 Tool Steel is my least favorite metal.

It seems brittle and soul less imo.
I have lots of 01 razors.

Since I discovered vintage Sheffield there has been no looking back.
T.I steel is Amazing too ;)

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Originally Posted by JOB15

01 Tool Steel is my least favorite metal.

It seems brittle and soul less imo.
I have lots of 01 razors.

Since I discovered vintage Sheffield there has been no looking back.
T.I steel is Amazing too ;)

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Sheffield is good. Swedish is good. Solingen is good. Haven't tried French or Spanish but none would last in the market if they weren't good.

Got my Jerry Stark made in America razor. I really like it. I noticed it isn't ground toe to tail as narrow as European razors. Has some real weight and balance. I had Jerry grind it to a full hollow and When I got it I decided to go to my Naniwa 12, Suehiro 20k and then the Mastro Livi loom strop - Chromium Oxide linen and skin. It really takes the hone well and the blade gives a close and smooth shave. The birch scales are really special. Just ordered another with a smile blade. Great quality and service. Attachment 245434Attachment 245435

That's very nice.

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Originally Posted by Porl

I am in the UK and am attempting to try American steel, but the customs office is currently holding onto my Nate's Straight! :aargh:

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Well it was finally released and I have to say I am nothing but impressed. This is a beautiful razor and shaves really well.

This is the one https://www.facebook.com/NatesStraig...type=3&theater

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Originally Posted by Porl

Well it was finally released and I have to say I am nothing but impressed. This is a beautiful razor and shaves really well.

This is the one https://www.facebook.com/NatesStraig...type=3&theater

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Very nice !
Just spent some time checking out his web page.

Just added this third Jerry Stark to the rotation. Can't wait to get it delivered.

Attachment 245469