Thread: JR Torrey

I just had the great pleasure of using my newly acquired Torrey for the first time. It took no time at all to hone, and shaves better than my 200$ dovo (which has been my benchmark). Do others have similar experiences with these? How are they long term, ie edge retension? Are they uniformly this good? If so, I may sell off a few more expensive straights and put together a 7 day set of them.

There's to many variables involved to speculate on edge retention. Frequency of shaving, stropping and shaving technique, coarseness of beard,.... We all have our own ways. But I can tell you this. Torrey's are ranked amongst the best vintage razors out there. Same as Boker and many other known vintage brands. Putting together a 7 day set of Torrey's is not such a bad idea anyways.

CarrieM and I have a bunch of Torrey straights. The seem to hold an edge for a good long time. Some of them seem to have a bit harder metal than others of this brand but that seems to be common among other brands we have. Having more than one or two of any one brand should say a lot. This thread may give you some idea of razors people have http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...ave-brand.html

I found one locally, but it is simply marked 'Torrey', very faintly. Is there any way to date/identify it more specifically?
Quite a lot of patina or very faint etching on the blade - what is the consensus on restoring these? Keep the patina, or restore to a mirror finish?

Originally Posted by Oldradartech

Quite a lot of patina or very faint etching on the blade - what is the consensus on restoring these? Keep the patina, or restore to a mirror finish?

I'd keep the patina but it's your razor.

I have a few Torrey razors. Great shavers and hold a nice edge. Enjoy!!

Just want to clarify, a $200 dollar Dovo is the same as a $80 Dollar dovo best quality as far as steel is concerned. You only pay more for scale material and blade "cosmetics". Dovo's are really easy to hone, inexpensive(new 80 bucks) and shave really well. If you like Torrey more then yeah sell your Dovo's, but Torrey are not better or worse, just different.

JR Torrey... my favorite razors. I must own about five or six (need to check). Great blades. Holds an edge very well.
Have fun with it.

Ed

I have always thought that Torrey razors were very nice. I like most US brands though. I don't put these in the same class as Waterville's or Cattaraugus (Personal Preference), but they are always pretty easy to get sharp good shavers.

Originally Posted by Lynn

I have always thought that Torrey razors were very nice. I like most US brands though. I don't put these in the same class as Waterville's or Cattaraugus (Personal Preference), but they are always pretty easy to get sharp good shavers.

I dont know, but this may be blasphemy. Torreys are tops with me!