Lark razors

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05-31-2013, 04:21 PM
anthogia

Lark razors

So I accidentally bought this Chinese razor called a "Lark". Honestly, if I would have known it was made in China I would have never bought it, but now that I did does anyone have any information on this razor? I think from my point of view it's in pristine condition and it looks like it'll take a nice edge to it it actually has a nice edge on it already. Can anyone help me out with this, I know that Chinese razors are the last thing that anyone wants to buy but since I already did it what's my best move- hone it up and give it a go, or try to dump it off somewhere? Just to satisfy my own curiosity why are Chinese razors bad in the first place? It does not say made in China on it but there are two Chinese symbols which I'm assuming mean made in China. Any and all information and responses will be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Tony
05-31-2013, 04:29 PM
LordBlah

Well, I personally don't know anything about Chinese razors, but as long as the razor is in shaving condition (no rust, well cleaned and honed up), what have you got to loose by trying it out?

By the way, do you have some pics of the razor?
05-31-2013, 04:32 PM
anthogia

Quote:

Originally Posted by LordBlah

Well, I personally don't know anything about Chinese razors, but as long as the razor is in shaving condition (no rust, well cleaned and honed up), what have you got to loose by trying it out?

By the way, do you have some pics of the razor?

Thanks I'm going to post them shortly the razor is in pristine condition.
05-31-2013, 04:39 PM
anthogia

5 Attachment(s)

Pics of the Lark. Sorry for the bad camera phone pics!
05-31-2013, 04:46 PM
LordBlah

I think you'll shave fine with it if you hone and strop it up.
05-31-2013, 07:10 PM
holli4pirating

There are vintage razors made by Larkin... But that's the closest known brand I can think of. Made in China makes me doubtful, but all you can lose at this point is a bit of time. Worth trying, I'd say. Maybe bring it to the meet for others to play with as well.
05-31-2013, 09:25 PM
gssixgun

Hard to tell really what you have there..

Keep in mind that several of the English companies produced razors with Chinese symbols on them, I have never seen one of these "Lark" razors before so I would just take it step by step perhaps one of our Historians will have some info on it..
05-31-2013, 09:53 PM
Martin103

From what i can gather on Lark razors is that it is a step up to a gold dollar...........
05-31-2013, 09:56 PM
anthogia

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martin103

From what i can gather on Lark razors is that it is a step up to a gold dollar...........

Greeaaaat. Now I feel even worse! At least I didn't pay slot for it and I can practice honing on it! Thanks Martin!
05-31-2013, 10:27 PM
Tarkus

1 Attachment(s)

Dont let the China origin scare you on this one I have a Lark frameback and its one of the most superior shavers I have.
I love this razor.

Attachment 131864
05-31-2013, 10:29 PM
anthogia

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tarkus

Dont let the China origin scare you on this one I have a Lark frameback and its one of the most superior shavers I have.
I love this razor.

Attachment 131864

That's good to hear! It's actually a really nice looking solid razor....I hope it keeps an edge!
05-31-2013, 10:33 PM
sharptonn

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tarkus

Dont let the China origin scare you on this one I have a Lark frameback and its one of the most superior shavers I have.
I love this razor.

Attachment 131864

I always thought they were likely-looking. Perhaps the Chinese made better ones back in the day? The scales. Are they original?
05-31-2013, 10:37 PM
Tarkus

Quote:

Originally Posted by sharptonn

I always thought they were likely-looking. Perhaps the Chinese made better ones back in the day? The scales. Are they original?

No there replacement scales, I dig them though. I kind of see it fit the asian look.
06-01-2013, 12:19 AM
sharptonn

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tarkus

No there replacement scales, I dig them though. I kind of see it fit the asian look.

Ahhh! As Confucius Say, ...............Oh, nevermind! :p
07-09-2013, 08:31 AM
broncc

I can get this Lark for $15 bucks. I've never restored a SR before but it's something I want to do and I've already ordered a couple of sheets of lapping film. Do you think it can be restored to a good condition? It looks like there isn't much hone wear and the rust seems to be only superficial but since I don't have much experience with straights I thought I'd ask you guys. Thanks!
07-09-2013, 08:43 AM
WW243

Tarkus, the China Origin scares me with just about everything except General Tso's chicken. But I have got to believe you, plus, I like the little bird.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tarkus

Dont let the China origin scare you on this one I have a Lark frameback and its one of the most superior shavers I have.
I love this razor.

Attachment 131864
07-09-2013, 12:25 PM
Frankenstein

There's one going on the bay for a hundred bucks. Wow, they must be great!

Vintage RARE China Lark Straight Razor Nice Blade Bakelite Handle | eBay
07-09-2013, 12:41 PM
broncc

Nah, by the looks of it it's posted by another Bulgarian who thinks that because it's a straight razor it should sell for $100.
07-09-2013, 02:56 PM
WW243

He made one mistake IMHO, instead of saying that "little scratches on handle but it is from time" he should have said that the little scratches on the handle were from a High Mountain White Badger. He could have asked for $200.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frankenstein

There's one going on the bay for a hundred bucks. Wow, they must be great!

Vintage RARE China Lark Straight Razor Nice Blade Bakelite Handle | eBay
07-10-2013, 05:48 AM
Mauri

I don't know how much it can help, but I have a tenor saxophone made by the same company. Same name Lark, same logo. It has a mighty sound, although it is old and needs to be restored to be properly plaid... I made some research on this company and it turned out that Lark was a very great business up to the end of the '80s, before Chinese companies started the present market invasion. So it might be that your razor too was made as a real tool, and not just to make people waste money...
07-10-2013, 06:21 AM
Frankenstein

Mauri, how are you? Long time no talk!

Saxophones, hey? They also used to produce some wonderful (:cry:) string instruments. And then there was Skylark.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mauri

I don't know how much it can help, but I have a tenor saxophone made by the same company. Same name Lark, same logo. It has a mighty sound, although it is old and needs to be restored to be properly plaid... I made some research on this company and it turned out that Lark was a very great business up to the end of the '80s, before Chinese companies started the present market invasion. So it might be that your razor too was made as a real tool, and not just to make people waste money...
06-20-2014, 12:01 AM
RossSRP

I just got one and feel the same, if I had known it is made in China.......
Nice string on it on B&B.
Mine sharpened beautifully and shaves quite well, is good looking and way better than a GD. It was listed on EBay as a DOVO so I was really bummed about that but it is worth the $50 I paid inc shpg.
06-20-2014, 10:26 PM
mike1011

People knock Chinese products but it really wasn't long ago that if you mentioned a Chinese folding knife the comments would be "for the price its OK".

Fast forward to today and the Chinese are now making folding knives that are not just " OK for the price" , some are very good knives that just happen to cost a fraction of the price of a western made knife. They are also now producing some very good folders made with some fairly high end steels.

I wonder how long it will be before Chinese made razors will be recommended as a viable cheep option for people to get into straight razors.

As far as I can tell the main thing that let's the GD's down is the inconsistency in the grinds and more than likely the heat treat aswell. There are enough people out there saying they are getting decent shaves off them once the grind and geometry issues are sorted for me to believe there is something there to work with.

When the Chinese work out how to produce these things without grind and geometry issues on a consistent basis (and I'm sure in time they will) the cheep Chinese made razor will no longer be a thing to be joked about and may very well become the swatch watch of the razor world :)

Of cause I could be completely wrong and they will continue to churn out junk forever but the evidence suggests they will get their act together sooner rather than later !
06-20-2014, 10:50 PM
Martin103

GD's been around for quite a while, seems like if they would get their ducks in a row, it woulda happen a few years ago.
06-21-2014, 02:37 AM
Wullie

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martin103

GD's been around for quite a while, seems like if they would get their ducks in a row, it woulda happen a few years ago.

THey're working on getting the line into the 20th century!
SEE?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Oa3MzTin2Q

That is also why they sell goods cheap. Labor cost is the least of their manufacturing expense.
06-21-2014, 10:33 AM
mike1011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martin103

GD's been around for quite a while, seems like if they would get their ducks in a row, it woulda happen a few years ago.

I do like that saying :D

It might not be GD, I was using them more as an example. It was a general point in regards to Chinese manufacturing which is getting better and better all the time. Sooner or later a manufacturer in China will churn our decent razors at silly prices.

Of cause as the standard of living goes up in China so do prices but that's a whole different topic.