Thread: Rolf Aust Razors

I recently purchased one of his razors and was wondering if anyone else has one. It is very pretty, well balanced and looks to be great craftsmanship. It was supposed to be shave ready but I tested it and it was not where I wanted it to be. After looking at it under the microscope the edge was a little rough. I honed it and got a great edge on it and gave it a shave. It shaved very close and cut effortlessly but it was a little rough. I got nicks that I have never gotten before, even when I first started. Afterwards my face stung for a few hours which has also never happened before, even on razors that I used when I was first learning to hone. I figured it was just a matter of me getting used to a new razor. I have since shaved with it 5 or 6 times and get the same results, close shave but uncomfortable and nicks my face easily. I have tried no pressure and various angles. Edge looks flawless under the microscope and it passes all the tests, as I said its not a matter of it shaving close or pulling, its just a little rougher than I have experienced. Anyone else have this problem? Are some razors just rougher than others?

I have one. It's a stainless.

When I got it I thought it was a little more than a tad lacking in the shave ready department. Once honed up it's a very fine shaving razor and what I really like about it is it's a tad shorter than normal so it's really great for getting into tight spaces.

An uncomfortable razor is a sure sign it's not shave ready. Often times on a well honed razor when the performance begins to go that is the first thing you notice. You start getting a rough shave even though it may still be very close. Usually at that point to get it to shave comfortably a finishing hone is what the doctor ordered. As I recall I used my escher to finish mine off.

Can anyone point me in the right direction for a place to purchase a Rolf Aust, I only found one vendor online, and not that the price was bad I just like to know what my options are if any....I'm looking for one with the bolsters if it's available in a 6/8 or larger, and a square or Spanish point.

Straight Razor Designs is the only vendor I am aware of. You could try giving them a call and seeing if Don might not have some store stock that he hasn't had a chance to put on the website.

shavingshop.com also carries Aust.

Gentlemen,
The Ralf Aust are surprisingly good razors. They are well built, with good balance and heft, and take a sweet edge. I have a 5/8 round point and a 6/8 Spanish point. Love both. The 5/8 is also one of my travel razors.

Thanks Guys, I did contact Don and he replied all ready, so needless to say I was pleased with a very quick response.
Unfortunately they do not do custom orders. I was hoping to find a 6/8 Spanish point w/ bolsters, bummer........I know they exist, I've seen pictures of them.

I might have to go with the plain jane or just be patient (not good at that) or maybe look at a Wacker, I have one of those on my list too.....

They look nice.

Hi
I have one that also came supposedly shave ready. Like you I looked at under a magnifier. After a real good stroping it was great and comfortable to shave with. In fact I will be using it on Sunday. I have 6 razors (2 new and 4 vintage) and use a different one each day.

Originally Posted by Trimmy72

Thanks Guys, I did contact Don and he replied all ready, so needless to say I was pleased with a very quick response.
Unfortunately they do not do custom orders. I was hoping to find a 6/8 Spanish point w/ bolsters, bummer........I know they exist, I've seen pictures of them.

I might have to go with the plain jane or just be patient (not good at that) or maybe look at a Wacker, I have one of those on my list too.....

I would try to find the Whacker Dorko. Basically Herbert Whacker made some razors out of some old Dorko blanks. They shave a lot like the Rolf Aust and are very similar. I got a beautiful spanish point 6/8 with horn scales from him and I love it. This one did come shave ready to the point that I like too. I didn't even strop it and got a great shave right out of the box. The only problem is that I cannot remember who I bought it from. I don't even remember if they are a sponsor of this site. I will say they were a pleasure to do business with. Its the same place I got my Rolf Aust if that helps you search.