FREDERICK REYNOLDS

Does anyone know of a reason why a Frederick Reynolds circa mid nineteenth century would take forever to hone? I just spent three solid hours on this badboy.

I went from the DMT 325 to the Nort 1k, then tried the 4k. No arm hairs there so I dropped the Nortons and went to the coticule with slurry. I finally was popping arm hairs and diluted to plain water. Then to the Naniwa 12 k and then felt with .5 diamond paste. Then 50 laps on bridle leather and it shaved nicely.

I can't understand why it took so long before I could pop arm hairs. Is this steel that hard? This is the first F Reynolds I ever honed. Has anyone had a similar experience with Reynolds blades?

I've done a bunch, and I've sworn them off. It's really odd for Sheffield steel, but that stuff is so dang hard. No more for me.

I am glad I had this experience with the hard steel of the Reynolds blade. It taught me patience while honing and it taught me never to give up.

I knew I was getting to the end when I began to get feedback on the coticule with slurry. Then more feedback with plain water - whew!!

Dropping the Nortons and going to the coty w/slurry did the trick in this instance. I have 2 Coticules and they rule my stable of hones. If I wasn't so old, I'd buy two more.:)

With all due respect, I'd have to imagine that your Nortons did a fair about of work, but you happened to switch to the Coti when you got close and that finished it up for you. Had you stayed on the Nortons, I'm sure you'd have gotten there in about the same amount of time.

I've got one and I have to tell you that whatever they did to make their steel so hard has also sworn me off. I've been honing at this darned thing for over a month and at this point it's really just a vendetta since I really don't like wedges on my face, but they sure are pretty to look at.

I've had a bunch of Reyonold's that also took forever to home up and a few that just flew through the hones. There have also been other brands that were a 'challenge' but not as frequent. I have also changed over to the coti w/ slurry and it snapped to quickly. We'll never know if it really was that close on the first hones but they sure did remove a lot of metal. In the end, if you can't get an edge with your original technique it is time to switch hones.

the secret to honing a reynolds is.......to have someone else do it for you :)

I bought a reynolds from Sham and had it rescaled - shaves a beaut but Sham did say this was one of the hardest and most difficult razors he had to hone. Oddly he still offered me a free honing when it needs it - I guess he likes a challenge :) thanks Sham :)

Obviously it hadn't been honed in a long time and was very dull.

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Originally Posted by holli4pirating

I've done a bunch, and I've sworn them off. It's really odd for Sheffield steel, but that stuff is so dang hard. No more for me.

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Just one more. :D

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Originally Posted by 44Whiskas

the secret to honing a reynolds is.......to have someone else do it for you :)

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+100 :rant:

I honed one, and it took a few hours to set the bevel, but I remember it was not long enough to frustrate me. Nice shaver though.

Here are photos of the Reynolds in question. The spine wear is very bad so I built it back up with three layers of tape for the honing. The toe of the blade was narrower than the heel so I straightened that out. This razor was honed heavily on the toe by one of the previous owners.

I am honing it for a friend who bought it for $6 and asked me if I can make it shave. Apparently I can because I've gotten two good shaves out of the ugly thing so far. When I give it back to him, it will be his first str8 shaving experience.

I wish I would have kept track of the time I spent honing this super hard blade. I think 3 to 4 hours. I was getting a bit thirsty near the end. :beer2:

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Originally Posted by 44Whiskas

the secret to honing a reynolds is.......to have someone else do it for you :)

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+101 :rofl2: