Thread: Pictures and Asking for Tips...

Hi. I've posed a few pictures of some old razors that I recently got. One came from eBay and the other from a local antique shop (paid $10.00 for it ).

http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/album/559954770eJiDCe

The one marked "gold wash" arrived in nearly shave ready condidtion. As you can see, the blade is almost serpentine from uneven honing (I suspect from chip removal). I stropped it and shaved w/it. OK shave. The blade rings like a bell. There is a fair/moderate amount of metal to work with.

Should I attempt to straigten the blade? If so, I wish to attempt to fix it myself. Should I hone the entire edge until it's flat/even?


The other razor labeled "old" is just great. It's built like a tank. It arrived duller than a butter knife. It took a good edge and I shaved with it this morning. Even though it's a very heavy, thick blade, it rang like a bell this morning. The label reads "Hand Forged" and you can see the forge marks in the metal. The metal reminds me of the Damascus steel in one of my shotguns.

The front 1/2" (~1cm) is dull because it's rounded-out. Does anyone know how to sharpen that rounded section of the blade? This will probably become one of my favorite razors.

Also shown is my Kamisori 150. It too is build like a tank and gives an OK shave. I've grown to like it. The blade needs a little more work but, that has to wait until my honing stones arrive.

Any/all tips about how to fix these old gems is greatly appreciated. So far, the stones I have are fine India, Frictionite #24 and an old smooth ceramic block from my tool shop. I also have a coarse linen, fine linen and leather strop. Still waiting for my Norton 8k to show-up.

Thanks

Ray

Originally Posted by Ray C

Also shown is my Kamisori 150. It too is build like a tank and gives an OK shave. I've grown to like it. The blade needs a little more work but, that has to wait until my honing stones arrive.

Since you took pics of your Kamisori, I felt obliged to post a pic of the Pearl-Handled Kamisori I have, it's a beauty...

I don't know what you mean when you say that the blade "rings like a bell". If you are plucking the edge this is not only damaging to the edge but also not an indication of the razor being shave ready at all. The common tests of a razor being in near shave ready condition are the HHT and the thumb pad test along with the ultimate shave test.

During a shave, when gliding the razor down my face, I could feel a vibration and hear a tone. My other razors do not generate that sensation. I think it has more to do with it being a 6/8 blade. The stout and stubby 5/8 Kamasori does not do that.

I wasn't aware that plucking the edge was damaging and I've been known to do that once in a while.

I'd really like to figure-out how to sharpen the rounded tip. I haven't quite worked-out the touch for that...

Originally Posted by heavydutysg135

I don't know what you mean when you say that the blade "rings like a bell". If you are plucking the edge this is not only damaging to the edge but also not an indication of the razor being shave ready at all. The common tests of a razor being in near shave ready condition are the HHT and the thumb pad test along with the ultimate shave test.