Thread: Rolls Razor

Here is a Rolls for sale at Goodwill Industries auction site, which I just discovered.:
shopgoodwill.com - #7058349 - Rolls Razor - 11/25/2010 9:19:32 AM

15.00 to start, closes on the 25th

Originally Posted by TheGeek

Well once it's all sorted, if I'm liking using it, then it will definately get added to my rotation

Anyone got anytips on honing the blades?

Geek

If you have to a hone used for straight, e.g. a Norton 4k/8k, I'd use it to set the edge much as you would a straight. The difference is you'd have to push the blade up and down the hone using your finger tips, as there is no handle. I use the same pyramid progression used for a straight; 25 back and forth strokes on the 4K, followed by 25 on the 8K side (25/25 for shorthand), then 15/15, 10/10, 5/5, 3/3, 1/1, 1/3, and finally 1 on the 4K and 5 up and down passes on the 8k. Strop it up and give it a whirl. If you aren't happy with the shave, try again, but start at say 10 passes per side instead of 25.

You can use to the hone in the rolls to establish an edge, but it is time consuming. I think it's better use is to refine the slightly dull edge, similar to a barber's hone for straights. When you do use the hone, take your time - you should hear two distinct clicks when you change direction. If you only hear one, you are honing too fast, causing the blade to slam down on the hone. You are fine stropping a little more quickly because the strop is cushioned a bit.

The one technique that i learned recently was to manually rotate the blade 180 degrees in the middle of stropping or honing on the rolls. Invariably, one side of the strop or hone will have different characteristics than the other side, so by rotating the blade midway through, it gets even exposure to both sides. I experience a keener edge when I do it this way.

Thanks for your tips OGlenn, I will be trying the 180 trick next time I'm stropping up my Rolls

I agree with OGlenn on the use of a regular hone with the balde. you can take the bail off if it bothers you.

NoseWarmer,

I did not even look close at the rolls that you have. It was in a large batch of stuff from an estate. I have a very nice specimen with extra blades that I use, i shoudl look more closely before I send a guy off with stuff I don't need!

The hones are regularly cracked in the Rolls as mentioned above. And if one puts the lids on the wrong side you get to replace the strop due to a big cut.

The logo of the wetter goes on the top and should be the hone. Top being the side that pushes the blade into the surface.

Once in a while you can find a new strop and hone being sold on ebay,but as mentioned they can be pricey.

What you can do with yours is keep it for parts and find another complete, you then have a spare blade which also usually going to go for the price of a full set.

I will keep my eyes open for another one for you, after all you cannot have too much stuff for the wife to be amazed about.
I looks like I passed along a user modified specimen. Sorry about that, I would ahve mentioned it if I had looked. Good thing I didn't sell it to some one wantign a vintage collectible!

Originally Posted by scrapcan

I agree with OGlenn on the use of a regular hone with the blade. you can take the bail off if it bothers you.

NoseWarmer,

I did not even look close at the rolls that you have. It was in a large batch of stuff from an estate. I have a very nice specimen with extra blades that I use, I should look more closely before I send a guy off with stuff I don't need!

Once in a while you can find a new strop and hone being sold on eBay,but as mentioned they can be pricey.

I will keep my eyes open for another one for you, after all you cannot have too much stuff for the wife to be amazed about.
I looks like I passed along a user modified specimen. Sorry about that, I would have mentioned it if I had looked. Good thing I didn't sell it to some one wanting a vintage collectible!

Scrapcan, it's no problem... I'm glad that you were nice enough to let me have it... No complaints here...

I love history and to have a piece of it in my hands is GREAT!

I guess you could say it's like restoring an old car or truck... I'm on the hunt...

This whole razor thing is getting out of control... Or maybe not...

I had a link to more info on the Rolls Razor, but it is now dead, ignore this post until I can find the proper link. I am sure it is the archives somewhere also.

Mine is on the way! Thanks for all your posts and great information. Can't wait till I gave -- give it a roll?

I'll have an ORIGINAL hone coming from Oldfalguy in the next few weeks... So I'm in business...!!!

Good deal, makes me feel bad that I did not even look at it before passing it along. You will be good to go as you know how to make a strop for it.

I don't have one but from videos it looks like they are not difficult to sharpen with a not much worn blade.