And if you do can you shave with it? I read some other forums where people have actually done this. Anyone here have any experience sharpening and/or actually using one?
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And if you do can you shave with it? I read some other forums where people have actually done this. Anyone here have any experience sharpening and/or actually using one?
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Yes, you can hone them and yes you can shave with one. Dont exspect the edge to last as many shaves as a gpod razor. Plus, it might need corrected before you can honing it properly.
So, the answer is yes, but...
Here is my GD. Ive shaved with it a few times. After i customized it it looks much better but its really just to have. It dont get used any longer.
Attachment 289555
On the few GD/DA razors that I have honed, I've never had a problem getting a good long lasting edge.
That said, there are a multitude of problems with these razors. The geometry is awful IMO, requiring thinning the spine to get the acute bevel angle that I much prefer. The stabilizer is best removed or ground down, though you can hone around it with a heel leading stroke. The poor grind of the hollows is thicker near the heel resulting in a wider bevel reveal in the heel area. The grind is often warped in relation to the spine. The heat treat on the few that I've seen broken has a very large grain structure, which is surprisingly still adequate for the task at hand. The scales are laughably cheap and clunky.
Now the good. First there is something enjoyable about 'slumming' once in a while and getting a good shave from a cheap piece of crap. If you aspire to making your own razor, but have minimal tools, you get a hardened razor blank for four dollars to play with. Many people have made cool razors out of these with little more than a Dremel and some sand paper.
As others have said, the geometry can be off but I've never had a problem getting them shave ready. I use my Double Arrow (precursor of a Gold Dollar) all the time when I don't feel like getting a vintage blade from it's storage area
I have corrected the spine, heal & stabilizer then successfully honed and shaved with a few GD/DA razors in the past. The factory scales on most were a joke. The edges took some work as they seemed a bit chippy but they did hone up. The shaves were acceptable though a bit harsh, not bad enough to eliminate them from shaving with in the future but would be my last choice. If I had to choose between a GD/DA and a DE I'd pick the DE.
Bluesman got it right. I've broken several myself. It's quite satisfying.
A beginner can use one for learning honing and such, but they are pretty crappy. The grinding issues Bluesman described can make them more difficult to hone.
Things will shave, but not nicely, IMO.
Something copied, and not very well.
No personality and biting steel at best. YMMV
You know, you can put an edge on a spoon and shave with it if you so desire. But I have to ask why oh why in the hell you would do that? Kind of like the GD razor - same question....
I found the angle of the edge when honed was very steep. If my memory is correct, it was around 24 degrees. If I would have reground the spine on mine it would have come out better for shaving. But like what was said above, you can make many things shave. But will it be a great shave? No. And the scales are a joke!
Better pic of mine...
Attachment 289595
