Thread: Rolls Razor

Replacement blades come up on the bay now and then. Often easier and just as cheap to buy another complete set.

No you cannot get a replacement blade. But it should be the case that if, and I stress if, you have a str8 that is broken you may be able to work that into a replacement. All a Rolls is is a broken piece of a str8.

How much should I pay for one with three blades in good condition and strop and hone in good condition?

Is it a No.2, No.1, travel?

It depends.

A No.1 is pretty uncommon. It has a the pebbled top. The No.2 has the criss cross pattern and is pretty common. Most go for $18 - $30 depending on condition.

I have seen some with leather case, instructions and blade cases go for $50. Most only have or had a cardboard box.

Just make sure that the mechanism works and that a handle is included. Make sure the stone is not cracked and that it has a serviceable strop. The strop can be replaced.

Just got one off of Ebay for $15, so let's see how it is. It looked good in the pictures and description. It is an Imperial 2 with blue cardboard. Only thing I am not sure about is the strop as the lid was upside down, but I jumped on it anyways (I have strops). Now, I do not own a hone, will the built in one be able to sharpen it properly? I am guessing not. What should I do? Thank you for your help, I'm new to this type of shaving! (first week with a straight-going well)

If there are no nicks in the blade, and the only thing keeping it from being shave ready is it's age, then the built in hone should be more than enough. That's what it's there for.

If it's not shave ready, you may want to send it out.

I'm not a pro by any stretch, but I'd be happy to try honing it for free, just for the novelty.

Bought one, now just to wait for it to arrive. Anyone know someplace other than ebay to get extra blades?

Just FYI, you can pop off the little safety bail on the blade very easily using a small screwdriver. Just don't ding the edge of the blade popping it off and on.

Interesting! I often see them going cheap at car boot sales, in fact I played with a couple of them on Saturday, seller wanted a fiver for the pair. Theyve never much appealed to me and I wasnt aware they were practical for shaving with. I think I'll have to buy the next one I see

I have a few Rolls Razors. A couple of #2's and a Viscount.
I used one just an hour or so ago.
I have no trouble getting them sharp using the hone in the case, but on all, I have first needed to hone using my Norton water hones.

I have never removed the guard to hone. In fact, I place the blade on my hone, guard down, and after positioning it, slight pressure pops the blade into contact (much like the aforementioned "double click") and I find that I can use the proper amount of weight and slide the blade down the hone, reversing the process for the return.
Even though the blades can be sharpened nicely using the Rolls hone, I do sometimes have to hit a finish hone a lick or two.

To reset the bevel etc, it's no different than a straight. You just need the correct series of hones. I have a damaged blade now that eventually I'll get to.

I like these razors. I first saw one in 1957 when a shipmate on the Essex was using a Viscount he had purchased in London. In fact, that recollection is what prompted me to search eBay for one last year. I'm glad I did.

When Honed to the level you expect of a straight razor, mine shave as well as a straight.
In other words, very very smooth. After all, they are "a straight on a stick."

Cosby.