Bengall or Ern?

[dwlazlo]

Hi guys,

I've just started experimenting with straight razors and am loving it's intricacy, the sound of the hairs being popped off, and in general just learning a new skill.

So... I've started on the road of looking to buy a couple more. I guess I don't need to feel ashamed around these forums

Anyway,

I found a place where I might be able to get a Gotta Hamburg ring, and one other. There is a choice between an Ern and a Bengall and this weird little half-sized one called Empire I think. This last one has very loose scales.

Anyway, they all need pretty much the same level of restoration, no chips just marks, no rust apparently. I will have to get them restored and re-honed obviously.

Just I think I can only afford 2; so which ones are better, Ern or Bengall?

Of course, YMMV, and I have had a look around the internets and the Gottas seem pretty good. Is this a no brainer?

Thanks very much,

David

 

[Luc]

Difficult to say without pictures... How much are they going for?

Bengall or ERN, both excellent, Gotta too. If it would be me, I would pick the Bengall and ERN... However, depending on the condition...

 

[Legion]

I vote Bengall. They are usually pretty good. I have a few, they are one of the most common in Australia and I heard it might be because they were imported by the military during WW1. I'm not sure whether that is true as I have never seen one with actual military markings, but they are quite well regarded as being good razors.

 

[dwlazlo]

Yeah I don't have pictures.

They're very cheap. $35 for the gotta, probably because of the gold wash, and $15 or so for the others. Maybe worth getting one of each at those prices and staggering the restoration costs?

 

[mdunn]

both!

though go the bengall if you have to make a choice

 

[dwlazlo]

Cool thanks guys! I'll try for both, but the Bengall sounds good.

 

[superbleu]

Those are give-away prices for those makes of razors. I would definitely try to get all of them if they are in fact in good condition.

 

[Antique Hoosier]

Bengall vote here as well. Although I have seen some impressive looking ERN straights, if making the choice personally;..... Bengall certainly. Good grab!

 

[onimaru55]

I think for consistency go Bengall then ERN but depends of course on their condition. I am not a fan of the later Gottas but the early Grah & Plumacher ones are good.
Good chance the Bengall will have the hardest steel.
Just FYI ~ Cadman exported 80% of their razors to Australia Japan & India post WW2

 

[dwlazlo]

I asked for photos and this is what they sent me.

I have asked for a photo with the blades open, which is still on the way.

So there's 3 Bengalls, an ERN, a Sinfone (?), a Gotta in a box and a mystery one. I looked at them briefly the other week when I had no money to buy any, but at least one has a chipped blade. Without the photos it a bit hard to tell.

 

[Legion]

Yeah, kind of need to see the blades to be useful. Keep us posted.

 

[dwlazlo]

ok, I asked for pics of the Bengalls and the Gotta.

It looks like they were a bit 'pressed for time' when they took the photos, but they seem to look ok. The light reflects of the heel a bit on a couple, makes them look strange.

Ok, a thought: If the Bengalls are so good, should I just forget the Gotta and get 3 Bengalls? Or hell, just get all of them.

EDIT: White Bengall has a small chip at the heel. Could that be ground out? It's very close to the shoulder. Is this blade worth it?

 

[Legion]

They are not expensive and they look like they can all be saved. That chip on the heal is annoying but I guess it is not the end of the world for a user blade. The scales on that one will have to come off anyway. I'd probably get them all.

 

[dwlazlo]

Ok, they arrived.

They had a bit of red rust on them, but I had a swish around with some aluminium foil like Google told me to.

I bought the following:

Silvo
Autosol
Shine (made by Autosol)

and 1200, 800 & 600 wet&dry sandpaper.

I was planning on going the whole Dremel polish option, but decided against it. I think I can do this by hand.

Google also told me to make some kind of wooden finger to hold the sandpaper, as blood makes it harder to see what you're doing.

Aside from the 'avoid the gold wash if you want to keep it' advice, do you guys think this is the best way to go?

I will wait for your experienced advice ( and post pics of the Bengall...)

 

[dwlazlo]

and the Bengall

 

[dwlazlo]

and one more.

 

[azmark]

My Gotta is one of my favorite razors. Looks like it may be able to clean up nicely.

 

[Legion]

They both look like they should come up well. Are you going to take off the scales or leave them on? It would be easier to do the blades without them but you will have to take them off and peen them back on.

 

[dwlazlo]

I'm going to leave them on. They're still quite tight so I'd rather not remove them, just would give me another step to mess up.
Does my equipment list fit the bill? is 1200 fine enough? I didn't see any finer paper.

 

[Luc]

That should be right. For the gotta, start with the metal polish. The sandpaper will most likely erase the etching on the blade.

1200 is what I used in the past, it will leave some minor scratches.

If you come across something called 'Metal Magic' at Coles/Safeways, try some (again, it erased the etching on my blade). It's a bit more aggressive than Brasso and I got a blade shiny in 20 minutes by hand with the stuff...

Will you be honing after?