Thread: Modified Gold Dollar

I use my Gold Dollars more than any of my other razors. I enjoy using them more because I feel freer to experiment with honing methods, re-scaling, grinding, etc., since they're so relatively inexpensive. If I ruin one of them, which I have done, I haven't lost a whole bunch of money.

Originally Posted by Seraphim

If it'd ease you mind at all, I'd trade you another honed GD for your Palmera, or Dorko 300....




EDIT: I'd even throw on a new set of scales too!

I waited a long time to get that Dorko 300. That's not one of the blades the GD outshines ...


But maybe I'll send my GD back to you for a set of scales anyway....

Originally Posted by KyleHyde

Can I make a Gold Dollar Shave ready (with a lax definition) with my SWATY barber's hone and some Chromium oxide paste?

Both my Gold Dollars sharpened up quite readily on an 8k ceramic hone and a pasted strop. They've served me well for a year's very light use and only recently needed touching up. If you've already got the razor and the hone by all means give it a try; as other posters have said these razors often have grind issues, so you'll either wind up with a decent daily shaver, or a project to enliven your duller hours when you've gained a little more experience. Either way it'll be interesting and instructive.

Have fun.

Tell us how it works out.

Best Regards

goshawk

I bought the starter kit from user kenrup and it works fine. Maybe something else would work better but I am MORE than satisfied with the Gold Dollar 84 that he sent.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Something you have to understand on these, many (better than 50%) have..... problems
.....

+1

In a world of 50% odds,

50% will not have serious problems and will hone up.

No way of knowing until you open the box.

Originally Posted by niftyshaving

+1

In a world of 50% odds,

50% will not have serious problems and will hone up.

No way of knowing until you open the box.

Problems does not necessarily mean won't hone up.



In need of major bevel resetting? Yes

Will you have isssues trying to hone the heel due to the humongous shoulder stabilizer? Oh my, Yes!

Pins need tightening if you are leaving the stock scales on? Yes

If you decide to rescale, will it be difficult to get the blade to center, due to misaligned tang? Yes

My rate of finding a Gold Dollar that won't hone up is about 2% (i.e.- one out of about 50 so far...)

Originally Posted by Kenrup

I read the claims that the 200 is stainless steel. I handle a large volume of the GDs and done some comparison checks. I don't see the 200 as SS. Where is the reference that says that they are? Don't get me wrong. If they are SS, their price makes them a incredible find. I do handle many stainless steel razors from customers. I also have a few in my rotation. I just don't see that the 200 is stainless.

Mr. Parko now lists the Gold Dollar 200 as a Carbon Steel razor.
NEW CARBON STEEL STRAIGHT RAZORS 6/8 #200 - eBay (item 280472169993 end time Mar-31-10 04:26:23 PDT)

He seems to attribute the higher price to more finished blade and better scales.

Are there two quality of GD 200?

Originally Posted by Kenrup

The 200s have a classy feel about them. The scales are heavier and the blade has an almost sophisticated look and feel. It is a nicely done razor.

Interesting remark. I can see at least 4 flaws on this razor. Now let me see... The Dovo "Best Quality" is approx USD 30 more. Taking into account Dovo's near impeccable QA track record, and their high quality scales, I would always go for the Dovo - if I wanted a new razor.

Don't get me wrong, chaps: if you're happy with your Chinese razors, that's great. However, there is an alarming amount of people reporting badly ground Chinese razors, and that is never a good thing. Especially if a number of beginners starts running around in this forum, claiming that these razors are the best value a beginner can get. Because they are not. Any decent vintage Solingen razor will out shave and out perform them, and yet there are always a few of those available in the classifieds for the same money or less than one of the Chinese razors.

Regards,
Robin