Thread: Ducal

I have about 25 razors. Have been shaving with a straight razor for about 6 months and have honed all of them with a friend of mine. I don't know why but a Ducal 14 is so much better than any of the others including a Barber's Only Wade & Butcher Meat Chopper. Any thoughts?

Also what are people using to store their razors?

Ken

Sounds like you've gotten quite a collection going. I've been straight shaving for about a month and a half. I've only managed to amass about 8 razors in that time...

I'd be interested to hear the responses on the storage ideas as well because I'm struggling to find a good solution here in the DC humidity...

Originally Posted by Kenny

I have about 25 razors. Have been shaving with a straight razor for about 6 months and have honed all of them with a friend of mine. I don't know why but a Ducal 14 is so much better than any of the others including a Barber's Only Wade & Butcher Meat Chopper. Any thoughts?

Also what are people using to store their razors?

Ken

It could be a combination of simple personal preference. You may have noticed, if you've read much in this site, that there is no consensus "best" razor. It also might be that you've managed to hone the Ducal much better than some of the other razors. The meat choppers, in particular, can be bears to hone.
Does your friend have any razor honing experience? In this forum we've had a few self-declared honing savants who somehow believe they can right out the gate hone as well as anyone else and somehow, on their own, claim to know what a shave ready razor feels like. I mean no offense, and I don't know your or your friend's honing experience, but it is possible that your Ducal is simply the best of a large set of poorly honed razors?

Regarding razor storage, I do something out the norm because of my razors residing in the basement of my 120 year old house. After use, I dip my razors in a 1:200 solution of mineral oil in isopropyl alcohol. The alcohol quickly evaporates, taking water away with it, leaving a thin coating of oil behind. That has worked for me. Others simply keep their razors dry after stropping. Others wipe a coating of oil on the blade. Most critically, avoid getting water in the spaces between the tang and the scales, as water will pool there and cause rust.

Welcome to SRP!

Ducal is supposedly made by Filarmonica, so no wonder it shaves really well.

I also live in the DC area and am an attorney! I found a case on classic shaving and also some roll ups. I chipped one razor but got it out with a diamond hone. We should chat.