Thread: New(Yes New)Rolls Razors

I have a question for you guys who swear by the Rolls. I have a couple in very good shape, and I recently acquired two NOS blades as well. Even after honing and stropping both of them, neither is really sharp enough to give me a decent shave. How do you get them sharp enough? I really want to use these things!!

I have found the edge feels less fine than a straight, but gives quite a good shave.

I honed my blades on my Norton 4k/8k. It was actually pretty easy to do. That really cleaned up the edge so that I could use the original equipment stop/hone installed in the case from then on.

I just picked up a few over the years and picked out what was best to make a complete "new" set. Bought one with a broken hone, another with a ruined strop, but together they turn out well. I like them, but they're not the same as my TI.

I just purchased a Rolls.
When I first got it, I honed the blade on a 4/8 K and then on a very fine barber hone, before stropping it. It shaves perfectly. As smooth as any razor I have.
I treated the NOS strop with Rolls Dressing. (It's said to contain a small amount of iron oxide.)
I just wanted to tell you fellows that when sharp and stropped up, they work well.

Cosby.

Wow, I forgot about this thread. I have 13 Rolls razors now. 8 Imperials and 5 Viscounts. I have 6 shave ready at the moment. I've sharpened mine both ways, in and out of the cases. Just to prove a point, I took a 1mm deep chip out of one with the included hone. Took 2 hours, but it worked. They are great shavers, and I use them regularly.

This is wonderful, now I have all the information necessary to start shaving with my new Rolls. Thank you gentlemen.

I was just on a trip to Vermont and my wife and I stop every chance possible to browse antique stores. On this particular trip in upper New York State we saw many Rolls for quite reasonable price. I was not in the market, but believe that if you are interested antique stores may be a good source and an exciting venture.

Lewis

Originally Posted by StraightNoChaser

I have a question for you guys who swear by the Rolls. I have a couple in very good shape, and I recently acquired two NOS blades as well. Even after honing and stropping both of them, neither is really sharp enough to give me a decent shave. How do you get them sharp enough? I really want to use these things!!

Although I started this thread,(and it may seem as if I'm getting great shaves )I must agree,StraightNoChaser.I can't seem to get mine sharp enough for a good shave either and am a bit disappointed because I got a neat little leather case with it.