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  1. #1
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    Default my first straight razor

    on a whim I popped into an antique store and found this razor. from the little I have read it seems to be a pretty good razor for $20(canadian). It is a Boker King Cutter, the scales are beat to pieces, but the blade seems pretty mint (to my beginner eyes).
    I am looking for tips on how to restore it. I do plan to use the forum search functions to great advantage.

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  2. #2
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    Default

    That's a great looking razor. Whats wrong with the scales? The one shown in the picture looks fine at this end.
    The scales are warped. I cant close the blade with out some slight prying on the blade. One scale also has a fairly serious crack at the blade end.

    I just read the article about straightening warped scales so I might give that a try.

  3. #3
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    I now have new scales and I am trying to hone my blade.
    I have a norton 4/8 k and an illinois russia strop (with linen) and white, yellow and red paste. That is all I have at the time.
    I have very likely overhoned my razor getting some nicks out (the nicks are gone now). I have tried to reset the bevel as the magic marker test showed my I was not getting a straight edge. I lapped my hone as that was part of the problem, but I still cant get the edge right. I seem to be cutting more in the center of the edge, the heel and toe arent getting much contact. TPT is a little ambiguous to me and the HHT is abject failure.

    I know a honemeister could get me going no problem, and I wont rule one out, but I enjoy the challenge and I want to give it some more time.

    Would a video of me honing help?

    Matthew

  4. #4
    Senior Member blabbermouth JimmyHAD's Avatar
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    Welcome to SRP . If you go to the Wiki in the toolbar at the top of the page you will find tutorials. Check out the "rolling X". That is probably the solution to that blade if you can get the hang of it. Also Lynn's and Heavysquare's videos are very helpful.
    Be careful how you treat people on your way up, you may meet them again on your way back down.

  5. #5
    Coticule researcher
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    Default

    That razor is too nice to practice on...

    With that off my chest, based on the picture and what you wrote, I suspect that the bevel on that blade was pretty dull and rounded. If I'm correct about that, it will require A LOT of work on the NORTON 4K. It would be better to do it on a coarser hone, but it's not impossible.
    For doing the heavy work, create a slurry on top of the 4K, 'cause that is going to speed it up.
    Don't bother with the X-stroke yet. Work with two hands, one hand on the tang, the fingers of the other hand spread on top of the blade, applying some gentle pressure. Perform small circling motions and work the entire surface of the hone starting from one end to the other. (count the circles) When you arrive at the end of the hone, flip the blade and work your way back doing the same amount of circles.
    Check for progress with the TNT (thumbnail test - you'll find a description in the WIKI) Don't let that slurry become too dry.
    Continue till the TNT checks out fine along the entire edge. Then get rid of the slurry, put water on the 4K and commence, lowest possible pressure, regular X-strokes. Keep checking with the TNT.
    End the work on the 4K with 3 strokes in the stropping direction. This will remove any possible trace of a wire edge. The razor should shave arm hair with great ease at this point.
    Continue with 10 light strokes on the 8K, or do a pyramid between the 4K and the 8K, whatever method you prefer. Strop 60 laps on clean leather, and go to shave. I hope you know how to shave, because otherwise it's impossible for you to tell if failure is caused by a poor edge or by poor technique.

    Best regards,

    Bart.
    Last edited by Bart; 12-04-2008 at 07:18 PM.

  6. The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to Bart For This Useful Post:

    aroliver59 (12-04-2008), FloorPizza (12-05-2008), JimmyHAD (12-04-2008), KristofferBodvin (12-04-2008)

  7. #6
    Senior Member blabbermouth JimmyHAD's Avatar
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    As good as the Wiki is Bart's post above is a perfect example of why specific circumstances still need individual input.
    Be careful how you treat people on your way up, you may meet them again on your way back down.

  8. #7
    Senior Member smythe's Avatar
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    I could be wrong about this… but it sounds like you have straightened the smiling edge, that razor’s edge should be curved like the spine. If you “straighten” the edge it may cause all sorts of honing problems.

    A photo of the razor in it's current state would help.

  9. #8
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    Thanks everyone for your polite and helpful responses.
    I am going to visit my great uncle tomorrow (in his 80s). He has a long history with machinery and fixing things so maybe he has some experience with str8s. Maybe even an old one that I can practice my honing on :P

    Thanks again,
    Matthew

    PS- English, I did not intend any offense in the newbies forum. Please accept my apologies.

  10. #9
    Member straightcrazy's Avatar
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    Default Blade warp?

    I don't think that that razor is supposed to have a smiling edge even if it does now. What may be your problem, and I think mine too, is a possible warped blade. I think I have this on a brand new factory Dovo 'Bismark' and it's quite frustrating. Maybe someone who know more could clear this up for me but it feels like it just contacts the hone differently from one side to the other. A honemeister I'm not... but i'd like to be!

  11. #10
    Senior Member jszabo's Avatar
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    put some pice of your dovo bismarck on here i ordered mine new and paid the $20 to have it honed by lynn and i havent had any problems out of mine so far

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