Excellent points. I was lucky to get two that were fine from the factory. However, I don't expect such good fortune in the future :rolleyes:Quote:
Originally Posted by gssixgun
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Excellent points. I was lucky to get two that were fine from the factory. However, I don't expect such good fortune in the future :rolleyes:Quote:
Originally Posted by gssixgun
Quote:
Originally Posted by richmondesi
My numbers have been about 75% have at least one problem, but those were DA numbers not GD numbers... After doing a 7 day set and having way to many setbacks I stoped working on them, I also don't work on Wapi's unless I get them free and send them on to the SRP giveaway...
This also does not take into account grind uneveness
Well... full disclosure, one of mine had a terribly ground shoulder. It didn't affect anything really so I count it as "good enough"... :pQuote:
Originally Posted by gssixgun
I bought three. Honed them on Shaptons. Stropped on felt/diamond. Good to go.
They aren't pretty, but mine shave like champs. I use them when I travel mostly.
I can see that they are crude, especially to the trained eyes of a restorer. But mine seem to be usable as is.
Thanks everybody. I think my oroginal plan for a Dovo is the way to go.
Hell, I ordered one on 12/24 and it has not arrived. In that same time I have received orders from the UK, Spain, and Singapore that I ordered on new years.
Sounds like the gold dollar is decent, if you get it, and if it half-way serviceable, and if you know how to hone.
Probably worth the $45 to buy it from RupRazor.
Just for the fun of it:
YouTube - Movie3.wmv
thats really cool. did you have to work on your a lot to get it that sharp? or was it in good condition when you got it? i've just heard that they need lots of work when you get them. where did you get that one?
Hey matt I like your avatar. I just finished that movie two mins ago on netflix instant view. It was made around the time I was born but it's a classic. Nothing hotter than old school cro-magnon sex. And if purchasing the gold dollar turns out to be a mistake it will have been a cheap mistake.
I bought three from Mr.Parko on ebay. They were not shave ready when I got them. I have an arsenal of hones and pastes, but my three GD's were easier to sharpen than my other razors. Last time I checked, two were shaving great and one was harsh.Quote:
Originally Posted by salazch
On the other hand, if you look mine over you can see issues. The heel on one extends past the scales a little when it's closed tightly (so I don't close it tightly). The tangs are not well aligned with the blades. Some twist and bend. The scales are plastic, and I had to heat one with a hair dryer to warp the scales so the blade wouldn't contact the scales when closing. There are probably other things that a restorer/maker would notice that I can't see for lack of experience. So I would say that they generally shave much better than you would expect, but otherwise they're crude.
I can see why customizers and re-scalers dont like them. There is a high likelyhood that much more work will be required to meet their own standards not to mention a picky customer. Why do $100 work on a $15 razor?
Matt321Quote:
Originally Posted by matt321
Sorry to say what you are showing is not true sharpness of the blade. Please pick up the hair and keep the blade stable (don't make quick cutting movies etc) then bring down hair to the blade slowly and see it will cut.distance between your grabbing finger and blade should be approximately 5/8 to get better sharpness test.
gl
Sham,
Thanks for the suggestion. I think I was actually trying to do it the way you said, but I had my arms around the camera and tripod. Also, the hair and blade are only about three inches from the lense. So my movements are a little jerky and my vision was obscured a little. Besides it may not be sharp enough to do it as you describe. Anyway, like I said...just for fun.
I would like to see a thread where each reply is a video of someone doing this. I've read all the issues about variations in hair and how a HHT pass doesn't insure a good shave. Still, it would be fun to show off razor skills and video skills.
+1Quote:
Originally Posted by bonusmarple
Ordered mine from RupRazor and any defects have been corrected. The heel, scales, spine, and tang are fine.
Matt321Quote:
Originally Posted by matt321
i have tried to make video. My problems was
1 doesn't have so thick hair. ( i use mostly 9 years old girls hair)
2. camera with HD CANNOT show the hair. it is too thin
that is why i cannot get a good video.
Quote:
Originally Posted by hi_bud_gl
Thanks for trying. It took me a few trys to get my humble version. I set the camera on macro mode and got within about 3 inches. Too bad it's diificult to capture in video. I would love to see some other samples.
I tried to find the Gold Dollar in the Manufacturer section to post the picture there, but was unable to. So I'll just post it here until someone points to a better place for it. I took it to show the relationship between the razors. Hope they are useful to at least some.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...olddollar1.jpg
I have to say that while the finish on my 208 is lacking the shave is very good.
I just received a 200, and it is as good a shaver as the 208, and at this point these two are shaving better than my vintage blades.
I'm by no means very good at honing, but the 208 came to a nice edge with little work. I set the bevel on a DMT 1200, and proceeded to a D8EE. Followed that with a barber hone, and a pasted strop. The edge is a mirror finish, and it is a smooth shaver. It's the first time I've had a razor pass the hht.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jreiter22
Ah, so that's you! The site seems live now. And I see you're selling on eBay too.
Tell me about the brushes?
Jerry I have honed quite a few 200's now and notice the same as you that they come sharp easier then most of my vintage. I have been working on a Boker on and off for three days and just brought it to the edge. The Boker was sharpened to a knife angle type edge by someone. I had to go to a 200 diamond hone to reset the bevel.
Jay
Mystery Razor
Thanks again for the 200. I ordered it honed because I wanted to see if I was on the right track with my own honing. I feel pretty good about how I'm doing after shaving with the one you sent.Quote:
Originally Posted by jreiter22
That loupe is far better than I thought it would be as well. I figured for so little it was worth a shot, but it really is pretty decent. It magnifies very well without any noticeable chromatic aberations or distortions. Impressive for a $3.00 piece of glass.
Jerry, I think you will find that the razors that are not coming sharp will look different with the loupe. You can also try a permanent marker on the bevel. That will show a dark area if the bevel is not yet to the edge.
So, after page 35632 I've lost interest in reading this thread. No, I just got confused. It seems like a few have purchased these in bulk.
Well, I've heard some good things about these. And, I'd like to have one. Problem. I have no skills. So, aside from getting one shave ready it needs to have all quirks removed. I don't suppose new scales, unless the scales suck that bad??
With that, I don't imagine a group buy wouldve done me much good. So, where can I get one ready to go? Is Ruprazor the only place? Thanks!
Quote:
Originally Posted by jreiter22
Quote:
Originally Posted by rickboone
heres the other option
Not to protest to much the Gold Dollar is an inexpensive starter. I have had NOS Bokers and Henckels that had blade grinding problems from the factory.
The instructions in the Henckel box said do not strop just shave. The edge had a bad feather with two small spikes at the heal. The Boker had a step at the point where the honer hesitated in his stroke on the turntable.
Both razors shaved just as good as a Gold Dollar after honing.
Jay Reiter
Mystery Razor
Is this a Joke?Quote:
Originally Posted by jreiter22
or i am having problems to understand this?
are you saying you boker and henckels shave same as Gold Dollar razor?
The GD is a cheap razor. That i can agree on.
I'm sure you will find some razors from well known makers out there with defects, but I'd also bet the defects will be less common and less severe. Lots of vintage razors say don't strop just shave, but then again there are lots of vintage razors that make other outrageous claims too, like a magnetic blade will shave better or an etched pattern is Damascus steel. I've only tried two GD's and one DA; all three had issues, looked and felt cheap, and didn't shave as well as the average vintage razor I could get on Ebay or at an antique shop for the same or less money.Quote:
Originally Posted by jreiter22
I was looking at some razors on Mystery Razor
And they are all in 7/8. Is that too large/wide to learn with? My dovo is 5/8 but I need a second to use if my dovo goes in for honing or if I need a shave ready blade to compair my dovo to after stropping.
I have found the Gold Dollars to take a very very nice edge... I'd definitely not put them up against Bokers or Henckels, but for the price point, I'd say they represent a great value IF... IF... you don't get one that requires a bunch of work
How is the quality? Will the edge hold as well as dovo or boker? Assuming that there is no difference between shaving or stropping technique.
I have one I grabbed up to practice all kinds of stuff on, it now has a spanish point, worked back, one hell of an edge and a new pair of scales. I figured it would just be a disposable $12 dollars (I got the 777) - I've had no issues and so far it seems to hold an edge just fine.
I have a Gold Dollar 100 that I shaved with last night for the 3rd time. I noticed the first 2 shaves weren't as smooth as I thought they should be so before I shaved the 3rd time I did several passes on my C12K followed by 20 chrome ox/rough leather, 20 chrome ox/balsa, stropped 50 linen, 100 Russian Shell, 50 felt, 100 leather, and finally 200 newspaper. Just before shaving I did 50 felt & 50 leather (ChrisL strop) and got one of the best shaves I've had. The only thing I have that shaves better, but not much better, is a Frederick Reynolds and a Wade & Butcher Special. Been hearing good things about the Gold Monkey 777, may order one or a Gold Dollar 108 or 208 this weekend.
And you had enough energy left to shave :roflmaoQuote:
Originally Posted by DoughBoy68
There's one in every crowd...LOL! I did it the day before I was going to shave with it, except the 50/50 right before the shave, but I like your thinking and sense of humor, that's one thing I've learned you can always find here. You guys are always looking for a chance.....I like that!
This is my humble take on the "Gold Dollar".
If you look at it for what it is, which is,
1) A sharp object to remove hair with a handle that doubles as a sheath.
Don't compare it to any other razor, class, manufacture, country of origin blah, blah, blah and the answer is................................................ ....
Simple. Honed properly this razor cannot be beat in the function of removing hair. period.
my 2 cents which is shared by MANY but not all.
IIRC it was on one of the DA threads that somebody put it best...
"If Walmart made a razor, this would be it" :)
That was in my review of the DA :)
Quote:
Originally Posted by gssixgun
Quote:
Originally Posted by gssixgun
I think the possibility of Walmart actually making anything is quite remote. :rolleyes:
As for the GD, both of mine performed quite nicely after some attention on an 8k hone and a pasted strop. They have both required more frequent touching up than better blades and to be sure the grind on neither is especially pretty, but the edges are straight and they sharpened up easily enough.
Best Regards
goshawk
I'm pretty sure all three of mine were sharpened on a belt grinder (over the pully) at the factory. I say this because under a loupe my honing marks fall right along the edge while the factory bevel extends farther up toward the spine. It looks like I used a couple layers of tape on the spine when in fact I didn't.
Here is a youtube video where Bill Ellis is doing this on a vintage restoration. The first part of the video shows Bill reshaping the blade. I'm referring to the part at 1:45 where he re-establishes the edge bevel.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nALvqPez9fU
I received and honed a Gold Monkey. I must admit I am surprised at what a good shaver it is.