Thread: Affordable razors that run the steel hardness gamut?

Looking to get some razors in different steels (and shapes) with different hardness to train honing (and shaving) with. 'Affordable' = Less than $150, ideally under $100 (cheaper the better but not crap quality level). I'd prefer new or lightly used razors so I can start from the beginning of an original factory bevel, but if cost limit is impossible, than I could do used. By training I mean that I hope to open a whetstone sharpening service in a year or so, so training on a variety of steels (and styles) would be good training.

Not yet eligible for BST access yet, so buying online or PMing directly is probably my only option.

Suggestions can be individual razors, or brands that hit the needs.

Thanks

Do you shave with a straight? If not you should. Once you shave with a professionally honed razor you will have a benchmark on how a razor should feel.

I'd guess any razor from a reputable maker would do as all are hardened to around the same point, 62 Rockwell I believe. Someone more knowledgeable will clarify that shortly. There really should not be massive differences in hardness. In vintage I have not found great differences in carbon steel and stainless steel razors either as far as honing goes. I'd say get a variety of vintage razors in decent shape and have at her.

Bob

Yow will find most razors are in a pretty narrow band of hardness so that is not really a problem. Stainless razors can be harder to get a good edge on. I would try & get a German, English & American razor. The different grinds of razors can make a difference in honing, Check the local flea markets & antique shops I have bought razors at garage sales. I have yet to buy one on line & I have around 60 razors.
If you can get with a local Straight razor fan or honer to help you out.
Very important is what stones are you using & how do you use them. Honing a razor is nothing like sharpening a knife. The hones you use on razors are similar to what you would use on a knife but usually higher in grit. I wouldn't get any new razors to learn to hone with myself. I don't one 1 new razor.
I haven't started honing for for $$ yet& am still getting different equipment" Hones,strops & what ever. It may take you longer to learn to hone properly. Most every razor is a little different from the next as are hones & strops. Keeping your hones as flat as you can is very
important. Also deciding what hones & strops you will use is important. The list go's on. I would read as much as you can Watch the videos on honing. Several members here have videos out & most all are very good.
Hope this helps & didn't confuse!


Dave Huffman

Originally Posted by Slawman

Yow will find most razors are in a pretty narrow band of hardness so that is not really a problem.

What Dave said. I don't recall the exact numbers, but I think it is between rockwell 58 to 61 from 'soft' to hard to the point of more work to hone.

As for the classifieds, they are extinct so no instant paypal gratification. Go to the Buy-Sell-Trade and if you see something attractive shoot a PM to the seller. There is no other way to buy now with the BST.

If i was going to teach honing I would probably get a few Chinese ZY razors and a few NOS or mint vintage razors or Ralph Aust razors. The ZY's are cheap and expendable, at least to me there would be no reason to hone out expensive razors to teach honing, save the good ones to teach shaving

Just to add my 2 cents worth in on the previous post. I would stay with on type of hone and not skip around. Personally I would use the Naniwa line beginning with the 1K progressing to the 12K for a finishing stone. They are consistent and predictable to use. They have put a good shaving edge on any razor I have honed, vintage or new, carbon or stainless steel. Learn to get consistently good results with one type of hone.

Bob

This is actually more important than the razors, i've honed probably 400 razors on a King 1.2k, Norton4k/8k and a C12K and I can hone anything with that combination after I learned how to use them. Consistency/repeat-ability is really important

Originally Posted by BobH

Just to add my 2 cents worth in on the previous post. I would stay with on type of hone and not skip around. Personally I would use the Naniwa line beginning with the 1K progressing to the 12K for a finishing stone. They are consistent and predictable to use. They have put a good shaving edge on any razor I have honed, vintage or new, carbon or stainless steel. Learn to get consistently good results with one type of hone.

Bob

Question...
Have you ever honed anything at all. Are you new to it.
I'm asking, because I've been at it for most of my life, and still learning new things. I could hone professionally, but choose not to. And its nothing your going to learn in a year, Knife or razor.
Unless your a born natural... Who knows, ya just might be..!!

I don't mean to be sarcastic, but it does take time to become proficient at it. And to read different grinds and honing them.

I commend you for trying to shorten the learning curve, but nature always has its way, and a cast iron skillet sucks, till its well seasoned.

Originally Posted by outback

Question...
Have you ever honed anything at all. Are you new to it.
I'm asking, because I've been at it for most of my life, and still learning new things. I could hone professionally, but choose not to. And its nothing your going to learn in a year, Knife or razor.
Unless your a born natural... Who knows, ya just might be..!!

I don't mean to be sarcastic, but it does take time to become proficient at it. And to read different grinds and honing them.

I commend you for trying to shorten the learning curve, but nature always has its way, and a cast iron skillet sucks, till its well seasoned.

Not condescending at all. I'm a advanced knife sharpener, with a collection of nearly 30 Jnats, and nearly 20 other stones from around the world, without about a 12 of them used for razors, and a dozen+ synths. I use a kamisori (fits the Japanese theme) and am ready to branch out into western straights. Since I spend my time sharpening all the time with so many different stones that I take pretty quickly to them - but true, the straights could be (and are) a different animal in terms of my ability to take to them.

I'm relieved (and also somewhat disappointed) in the short range of steel hardness, so now the biggest obstacle will be grind styles and the hones.