Thread: A new found fondness for Friodurs

For about the last month or so I have been getting my closest shaves to date - with a couple of 7/8 Friodurs, both of which I honed, myself, mano-a-hono. They are reasonably recent acquistions (bad RAD, don't you know), one from Jim at Vintage Blades and one from John at The Shaving Shop, so this makes them the recently renamed new-grinds - not regrinds.

At any rate, I credit our own MParkerxxx for some of my success: his emphasis on stropping, particularly with linen, seems to have kicked the Friodurs over the mythical "edge" to wonderfully fine sharpness.

I suppose I should try the same routine with some other razors, particularly a couple Le Grelots, but I'm not sure I want to get out of my comforable rut. Good ruts are hard to find and all too often under-appreciated.

I love mine. After a bit of experimentation initially, it gives a very smooth shave & is very comfortable.

I wasn't in love with mine when I first bought it. It was a close shaver, but not as smooth as my Le Grelot 1/4 grind was. Then I had it re-scaled and honed by Floppyshoes. It is now a fantastic shaver. It's a 7/8 hollow grind Friodur also from Jim at Vintage Blades from the NOS batch he had last summer. I think I snagged the last one he had. Really smooth and keen as all get out. I love it, now.

Maybe this question should be posted in the Honing section, but what are your current honing techniques to get it just right?

I have a 7/8 Friodur (scalloped spine and custom scales) that still isn't quite there. I know some say you have to tape these with multiple layers, while others have had good luck with no or little tape.

Originally Posted by Ryan82

Maybe this question should be posted in the Honing section, but what are your current honing techniques to get it just right?

I have a 7/8 Friodur (scalloped spine and custom scales) that still isn't quite there. I know some say you have to tape these with multiple layers, while others have had good luck with no or little tape.

I don't know who is telling you to tape the spine or why but PLEASE don't. It serves no useful purpose and will eventually thicken the cutting bevel - which is what you are trying to avoid by honing in the first place. It just needs to be honed - nothing fancy - no tape - just honed.

Nice to hear from you John. My razor actually came from your shop.

I've heard the tape advice from other members who own 7/8 Friodurs. Personally I've used only one layer to protect the nice spine, but the steel is some damned hard that I will admit I've been tempted to try more layers to get a double bevel.

Originally Posted by Ryan82

Nice to hear from you John. My razor actually came from your shop.

I've heard the tape advice from other members who own 7/8 Friodurs. Personally I've used only one layer to protect the nice spine, but the steel is some damned hard that I will admit I've been tempted to try more layers to get a double bevel.

Double bevel? Who are these you have been listening too? It isn't a pocket knife! What does the hardness of the metal have to do with tape on the spine anyway? Don't get me wrong - I am not criticizing you - I am criticizing the people who tell you to put tape on the spine to begin with.

If you send it to me with return postage I will hone it for you and send it back ASAP.

Originally Posted by Ryan82

Maybe this question should be posted in the Honing section, but what are your current honing techniques to get it just right?

I have a 7/8 Friodur (scalloped spine and custom scales) that still isn't quite there. I know some say you have to tape these with multiple layers, while others have had good luck with no or little tape.

My current honing technique is to send it to Daniel to be honed. Ha ha ha. I am learning how to hone, but don't want to ruin a nice one. I should probably buy something that could stand some abuse.

scott.

I love my Friodurs, I have a few of them. The Friodur has become my favorite shavers for more then one reason. Including how they hold an edge much longer than any of my other straights. As far as honing... I did use tape on my first Friodur because that was the buzz on Friodurs at the time. I no longer use tape on them, I honestly find no benifit to using tape for an improved edge. A little extra time and care at the hone is all the Friodur truely desires. This works for me.

Originally Posted by Ryan82

Maybe this question should be posted in the Honing section, but what are your current honing techniques to get it just right?

I have a 7/8 Friodur (scalloped spine and custom scales) that still isn't quite there. I know some say you have to tape these with multiple layers, while others have had good luck with no or little tape.

Ryan,

I wish I could get more accurate than an "I think this is what I did," but I am a fickle honer. Among my Acquisitional Disorders is HAD, hence the fickle honer cautionary disclaimer. It's likely that I started with a Norton 1000 to make sure the bevel extended all the way to the edge, then moved up to a Norton 4000, and ended the waterstone routine with a Norton 8000. I check the edge from time to time with my thumb pad and look at scratch patterns progressively getting smaller and smoother through the under appreciated Radio Shack 60-100X pocket microscope. My favorite finishing hone is a coticule used wet, with no slurry. Sometimes I'll take a few strokes dry. Last up is a leather covered paddle strop I made myself which is pasted with the Thiers Issard paste. The stuff has the consistency of chewing gum and is a bear to apply, but once on and smoothed out, seems to work like a charm. From time to time I also use a home made paddle charged with over-much chromium oxide (according to the experts).

Next, I'm going to try touching up a Friodur on an Arkansas Black and we'll see where that goes. Nothing ventured, nothing fickled, hmmm?

Good luck with your own experiments,