Best Way to Fix Up a Gold Dollar

[neilyasno]

So I have always been intrigued at how cheap Gold Dollars are. I mean come on, around 3 bucks? It doesn't get cheaper than that folks. I saw the thread or remade gold dollars and boy were they beautiful. I would love to remake one myself. I don't need anything fancy, just a shave ready razor. Alas, we have a small issue. I lack hones or the ability to use them. I understand that I can buy a gold dollar for $3 and then simply ship it out to have it honed for $15. But the million dollar question is, will it hold the edge? Or will it return to its previous state? Does anyone with experience with these razors have any feedback? Any and all comments are appreciated my friends

 

[trick420]

In short... YES it will hold an edge. My gold dollars hold their own amongst some VERY heavy hitters including TI's, a Brian Brown custom, a Pacosori, and various other vintage razors.

 

[Seraphim]

A razor is simply a shaped piece of heat treated steel, pure and simple.

That is well within the abilities of Chinese manufacturing.

Go buy yourself a few and have fun.

 

[neilyasno]

A razor is simply a shaped piece of heat treated steel, pure and simple.

That is well within the abilities of Chinese manufacturing.

Go buy yourself a few and have fun.

Thank's Sepharim. I will look into getting some hones and maybe trying these out. I wouldn't really feel bad if I destroyed one. Maybe I'd keep the scales in case I'd like to do a restore.

 

[jansob]

I'm not a straight user (maybe when I live in a bigger place and don't have a 3-year-old running about), but I love the idea of using GDs as "blanks" to learn honing and restoring before messing up a cool vintage blade.

 

[smalltank]

I had a honemeister friend who told me once.."if the steel is heated properly and hardened accordingly during the process..its fine to use"..this is really the key to it holding an edge..and knowing how to hone of course..

 

[neilyasno]

I'm not a straight user (maybe when I live in a bigger place and don't have a 3-year-old running about), but I love the idea of using GDs as "blanks" to learn honing and restoring before messing up a cool vintage blade.

Personally, I don't think your 3 year old should be a reason for you not to use a straight. It will only teach you to be more careful with it. You could put it way out of his reach and hide it. And you can also not let him/her know about it. That way they won't try to find it. Just saying that if you want to try a straight, then go right ahead as it is supposed to be a closer shave. Just be mindful of it, that's all.

 

[smalltank]

I have a 4yr old...and live ina small place as well..if they are taught about them you will be fine...cant hide em forever...

 

[global_dev]

I understand that I can buy a gold dollar for 3 and then simply ship it out to have it honed for $15. But the million dollar question is, will it hold the edge?

I don't think your avg pro honer is gonna wanna fix a gd and hone for 15 , most help out of generosity and enthusiasm. They are different motivations.

I have a fixed GD from seraphim and it's a great edge and pretty razor. The edge is easily fine. Its the getting there, to a pretty razor, that's the effort.

 

[seattleshaver]

Gold Dollar's are fine. They made good scale projects as well. I learned to hone using mine and learned to scale as well. You can buy some wooden blanks for $2 and using minimal hand tools you can make your own scales.

At that point the Gold Dollar bares no resemblance to it's original look. The Gold Dollar "ink" that is on one side of the blade even comes off easily. You don't even need to sand it off. Mine came off with "Goo Off".

 

[sychodelix]

Gold Dollars hone easily once they are "finished". And the steel quality is really nice. Mine is one of my favorite razors.

 

[Firewalker]

I just couldn't stand it anymore! I had to take the dremel to a GD!



Lots of work left on it but it's a good start.

 

[jpcwon]

Hey that looks really cool...great start!!

 

[Firewalker]

Thanks for the boost, I am exited about making a memory.

 

[Legion]

Not many pro honers out there are going to tackle a GD for $15. In fact, that is why many of them put it about that they cannot be honed. This is not true. Even a rube like myself can hone one. But they often do take a bit more effort than some other razors, and I would probably not want to do it for $15 if it was my bread and butter.

My advice, put a want add in the BST for a shave ready GD. And then see who will post you one for a price you can handle.

 

[rimmini]

GD's are a stamped blank of good steel. Not a Noob razor owing to the fact that it takes some time and hardware to put a shaving edge on one. But when they have their edge they hold it well. You'll still need a strop and a touchup stone like any other straight but it having taken on from blank to shaver and used it for many shaves you shouldn't be disappointed. That just IMO of course but an honest assessment anyway.

 

[gary-SR-N00B]

Gold Dollars hone easily once they are "finished". And the steel quality is really nice. Mine is one of my favorite razors.

Hi guys new straight Razor shaver here. Justg got a Gold Dollar 209 i think with black plastic handle. I stropped and stropped with a leather blade, it just doesn't do much cutting. Aren't they supposed to be pre-honed? I paid about $7 for mine. Frustrating.. hellllp Gary

 

[gary-SR-N00B]

Gold Dollars hone easily once they are "finished". And the steel quality is really nice. Mine is one of my favorite razors.

Dumb question, but how is a GD finished? thanks,
gary

 

[Kentos]

Hiya Gary welcome!

Unless it was sold as "shave ready" it won't be too good at removing hair from your face without a honing. Sometimes they need some extra work to get shave ready which involves some heavier material removal. If you so some research you can find some members who could take care of it for you, although it may require a fee as the time required can be extensive.

 

[spoken36]

A clarification of something that is a bit more than nuance: GD blades are forged, and not simply stamped. Stamping would be a process that affects only the profile of the blade. These GD blanks are made the same way most high end straights have always been made. Forging causes a plastic deformation of the steel, moving it into a rough cross section of the razor's shape and leaves less grinding work to finish it. Some believe that forging confers some positive attributes to grain structure, and others insist that all changes in subsequent heat treatment. At any rate, GD blades are forged.

GD's are a stamped blank of good steel. Not a Noob razor owing to the fact that it takes some time and hardware to put a shaving edge on one. But when they have their edge they hold it well. You'll still need a strop and a touchup stone like any other straight but it having taken on from blank to shaver and used it for many shaves you shouldn't be disappointed. That just IMO of course but an honest assessment anyway.