Straight Razor Acquisition Thread

[benhunt]

An old 1820s (G.R. stamped) razor with well-worn (appear to original) dark honey horn scales. Appears to have been reground, but still honed and shaved well.

View attachment IMG_20210412_155053.jpg

Remnants of "...shave well"

View attachment IMG_20210411_073703.jpg

And someone has scratched their name into the one scale:
View attachment IMG_20210412_123439.jpg
Never seen an "S. Crookes" stamped blade before (though I've seen other "Crookes").
View attachment IMG_20210413_124451.jpg

 

[Sweeney_]

Picked up another RA
6/8 shoulderless, Spanish point, Rosewood

 

[Old Traf]

An old 1820s (G.R. stamped) razor with well-worn (appear to original) dark honey horn scales. Appears to have been reground, but still honed and shaved well.

View attachment 1256316

Remnants of "...shave well"

If you strop me well, I'll shave you well

 

[benhunt]

Or "you lather well, and I'll shave well" or some other variant

 

[Frank Shaves]

I bought these two bad boys about a month ago - my first pair of related razors:

1. J.A. Henckels 17 7/8 inch carbon steel full hollow
2. J.A. Henckels Friodur 17 7/8 inch stainless steel half hollow

I am extremely happy with both razors. Both razors required a full progression of wet/dry sandpaper and steel wool, as both had some devil's spit. However, the more challenging part of the clean-up were the scales on the Friodur. When the razors arrived, the scales on the carbon steel 17 were yellow and the scales on the Friodur 17 were orange, so I did my normal routine of food-grade mineral oil, steel wool and elbow grease. And to my surprise both sets of scales turned out to be the same attractive pale yellow. I had just assumed that the scales on the Friodur were made from a darker plastic. Cleaning up the scales on the Friodur took a long time. I assume that just like white plastic can yellow, yellow plastic can darken to an orange. I would love to know the history of both razors, and I do wonder if some environmental factor like cigarette smoke caused the scales on the Friodur to turn orange. If you look very closely at the bottom of the scales on the Friodur, you can see some non-toxic inclusions.

Turns out I bought my first four 7/8 inch razors over the course of one week, and the carbon steel 17 was the first to arrive. I could not believe how significant in size the razor was. Now I am used to the size. Both razors hold a very sharp edge and shave like a dream. Buying both was a great decision!

Not sure if its the difference in steel or grind, but the carbon steel 17 seems to feel a tad crisper.

 

[Steve56]

What?!?! A Friodur had devil’s spit? Friodur is stainless.

The 17s are nice razors, congrats!

 

[Bosh Hog]

Every time I see a straight razor I feel the urge to buy one. Tried it once a long time ago and it was a massacre. I confess that I didn’t do my homework before the shave. Takes a bit of guts. Good stuff gents.

 

[Frank Shaves]

What?!?! A Friodur had devil’s spit? Friodur is stainless.

The 17s are nice razors, congrats!

There was a small amount on the carbon steel 17, and surprisingly a tiny amount on the Friodur. I ended up starting with P220 to remove it on both blades.

 

[exocet]

My first Wade & Butcher is on the way
13/16 near wedge

 

[Eastcoast30]

Just won this Robeson Shuredge. Stained, but seems to have very little wear. I've always wanted a Robeson and was a bit surprised by the colorful scales.

 

[SteelSchaben]

Just won this Robeson Shuredge. Stained, but seems to have very little wear. I've always wanted a Robeson and was a bit surprised by the colorful scales.

View attachment 1256982

@Eastcoast30 Looking forward to seeing this again after the restore ! and shave.

 

[Eastcoast30]

Surprise gift in the mail today, from Australia!
It's a Ribbon Extra in great condition, and appears to be shave ready.
Who says Christmas only comes once a year?

 

[exocet]

My new toy
Mappin & Webb, almost new 11/16, ivory scales

 

[Steve56]

Round nose Novodur 14, soap was MdC agrumes, and a splash of Santa Maria Novella orange blossom water (sweet) finished up a great agrumes shave.

 

[Matt O]

2nd Gen Filarmonica 14 Doble Temple for $137 shipped!!!!

 

[Eastcoast30]

2nd Gen Filarmonica 14 Doble Temple for $137 shipped!!!!

View attachment 1260746

That's quite a deal!

 

[Matt O]

That's quite a deal!

Yes Sir, the deals are out there! It isn’t a beauty queen, but it took a ridiculous edge, the pins are right and tight, and I have plenty of beauty queens...this will be about pure enjoyment in the shave...and using some of the best money I think I have spent in shaving!

Vr

Matt

 

[Cleanface]

Yes Sir, the deals are out there! It isn’t a beauty queen, but it took a ridiculous edge, the pins are right and tight, and I have plenty of beauty queens...this will be about pure enjoyment in the shave...and using some of the best money I think I have spent in shaving!

Vr

Matt

A first or second runner up perhaps?

Truly a beauty

 

[Matt O]

A first or second runner up perhaps?

Truly a beauty

Thanks! I used a very light and fine hair for the HHT, and I think this razor has big potential to be a top five shaver for me. The shave test will tell the tale!

Have a great rest of the weekend!

Vr

Matt

 

[Eastcoast30]

@Matt O, I have someone that provides me with very fine hair for HHT. Any razor can pass HHT with coarse hair. But I have some that pass with very fine hair held bulb in! If you can pass with fine hair held bulb in, then you know the edge is there.