Rolls Razor Review!

[JimBow]

So, after doing my week-long review of my new Futur, I had to do the obvious next step. I've just recently acquired a Rolls Razor from Sluggo (thanks!!!), and I've never used a SE before. I'd like some advice before I start on this tomorrow.

I've been told that this is the closest thing to a straight, without actually using one. Anyone agree? Also, what's the best way to keep it stored? In the box, or in the open air? Help is definitely needed.

 

[DunEdinRanger]

Going with the Rolls on Week 1 of the Ultimate Shave Off?

How's your supply of styptic pencils?

 

[JimBow]

Going with the Rolls on Week 1 of the Ultimate Shave Off?

How's your supply of styptic pencils?

You know, I totally forgot about that! Ooops!

Uh, I've got enough to stop the bleeding until I get to the medics...

 

[82R100]

Be sure to read the instructions (post #46) and give the blade a full honing before stropping.

Give it a full stropping immediately before shaving.

Be sure to dry the blade off thoroughly when done, including a follow-up stropping.

If you can, you probably ought to store with the box open for the first hour or two.

- Chris

 

[JimBow]

Night #1:

Well, the first official shave night. It's definitely a different experience from any DE I've ever used. The blade angle is so much steeper. I kept the blade as flat as possible, without actually going completely flat. On my neck and cheeks, the experience was about as equal to that of my first week of DE's. My chin is hard to do, but not extremely so. My upper lip is the hardest area. I got two weepers the whole shave, and they were both on my lip. I found I can't go completely ATG on my lip, it hurts and it causes irritation.

Any advice from regular SE or Rolls users is more than welcome. It was a pretty darn good shave though, just took more effort than a DE for me.

 

[huracan]

Jim, the edge will get smoother with time as you use and strop the blade.

There is a plateau then that it reaches, super smooth shaves, then a decline just before the blade needs a honing. I assume it varies with the user, for me using the Rolls twice a week I have not had to use the hone in three months.

That being said, the set up is not enough to bring it to the same sharpness level my straights have. Using only the Rolls hone and strop, I can't shave ATG with it either, XTG at the most.

Besides leaving it open as suggested before, also keep the handle disassembled as well; I was surprised to find rust juice inside fairly quickly. At first I would coat and wipe the whole razor in Vaseline (Don't get any on the friction barrel though) , but after getting a hold of a bottle I now use Ballistol.

I like mine a lot.

 

[Brodirt]

I have my grandfathers and have honed it and stropped it copiously. I still don't think that it meets "shave ready" standards that would be applied to a straight. Can/should the blade be honed on external hones to obtain a better edge to at least start off with?

 

[huracan]

Also, see if you can score some red paste to spread on the strop.

Brodirt, I think the secret is to prevent the blade from slapping when you use the hone, for that to happen AND to get the lap per second the instructions suggest does take concentration. I then go really slow for the last 20 laps before moving to the strop.