My ebay karma being what it is, I was due for a win after a few real stinkers. One was a Case Red Imp that was "shave ready". Maybe it was about 40 years ago, but today, not so much.
Anyway, so I picked up a Robeson ShurEdge hammered tang for $36 delivered. The razor had not been honed, but had been used. There was minor surface rust around the pivot and a few spots of patina on the blade. No rust, no hone wear, no pitting, just good American steel.
This was my first antique American razor. The bevel was thin and even, the hollowing was done perfectly and the jimps are well executed. Overall, this is a very well made razor. The scales are nothing to write home about, but they were straight. The pins were tight and the blade centered.
At this point, I am impressed, but how does it shave? The razor was pretty dull so I needed to set the bevel. I have been experimenting with a modified dilucot where the bevel is set using circles on a Naniwa 1K and the rest of the dilucot was followed per Bart's process. I tried this on the razor, long story short, after lots of work, it was clear that I had not done my job setting the bevel. So I went back and set it again and did it right this time. After the dilucot the razor was "ok" but not where I wanted it. So I finished with 30 heavy slurry, 30 light on the Escher. Much better, but I wanted a tad more so I did 10 on CrOx. Bingo.
I took this razor out for a spin today for the first time. Honestly, you could have handed me a Wonderedge or Boker and I would not have known the difference. This razor gave a perfect shave and was everything I wanted in terms of smoothness. I do have a Puma Gold and Filarmonica as well as the Wonderedge, Boker Red Injun, and a few other top shavers and from where I stand, in all but one case, the Robeson was as smooth and as sharp but just different. Not better or worse, just different.
For $36 this is one hell of a razor. No I don't sell razors often and I am not going to part with this one. The only razor I think really outperforms this is my MK31. Again, another razor I will not part with.
Now I can see what everyone is raving about on the American razors. I did get a Genco as well and that is another review.
One thing I can also comment on is the steel. It is hard stuff. It took quite a bit of work to get honed to where I wanted it. A bit more work than the Puma and definitely more than my W&B and Filarmonica. If you buy one, be prepared to bust your ass on the honing. The result is worth it.
