The Making of a Gold Dollar Razor Review

[richmondesi]

In this thread, we were asked why there are no Gold Dollar reviews. With that razor, there has been a lot of discussion, but not much formal testing that I've been able to find. And, as we know, no review here on B&B. So, I'm going to do one. However, as Holli said, in order for any review to be thorough/valid, it needs to answer the edge retention question. It has been contended by many well regarded names in the straight razor world that they don't hold an edge as well as many other brands (I personally believe this, but don't have a place in the well regarded names camp ).

So here's what I'm going to do. I have a free honing thread that I'm suspending for a bit to set up this experiment that will lead to a review. It just so happens that I have one of the GD 200 razors in my possession. I was thinking I'd use it for this experiment with the understanding that whatever we come up with will be relevant only for that model. However, hopefully it'll help us get a better frame of reference for them as a whole. I'd really like to invite some other experience members to join in here and take this on with me. However, I know it's a lot to ask to only use one razor (with another "control") razor and eliminate other variables.

I also am soliciting help in setting up the parameters of this little project. Should I have a set amount of laps on a strop? Should I be limited to the same soap/cream? Since this isn't really comparing edge retention to any other razor in particular, do I need to use the same "control" razor?

What say you guys?

 

[mainaman]

I think the stropping should be done at a standard # of laps 20-25/60 ?
If possible I'd suggest using a popular strop such as Latigo or something that is not too fancy since not many people(I am guessing here) have a variety to chose from.
As far as control razor , how about a entry level Dovo, its popular and many people have it.

 

[richmondesi]

I think the stropping should be done at a standard # of laps 20-25/60 ?
If possible I'd suggest using a popular strop such as Latigo or something that is not too fancy since not many people(I am guessing here) have a variety to chose from.
As far as control razor , how about a entry level Dovo, its popular and many people have it.

Yeah, the strop is going to be my recently acquired SRD Premium IV English Bridle. That's not open for discussion (I'm working on a review for that as well )

 

[holli4pirating]

I don't think stropping, soaps/creams, or control razor matter much, so long as they are consistant. That way you will test the razors, not the gear.

I'd also say the razors should be honed by someone reputable, or at least by the same person, and each razor should be honed to its full potential (i.e. you should not try to give them an even starting ground).

 

[charismata]

IMO such a test should be carried out in exactly the same manner as you usually shave.

To set up any other parameters would run the risk of skewing your perception of how the GD performs as opposed to the razors that you normally use.

Much of how a razor performs for an individual is subjective. I know there is a small amount of quantifiable variables that could be measured. But it is MOSTLY subjective. Since your opinions of other razors have been formed by your normal course of shaving, this razor should be judged in the exact same manner or it wouldn't be a fair assessment in my opinion.

 

[richmondesi]

I don't think stropping, soaps/creams, or control razor matter much, so long as they are consistant. That way you will test the razors, not the gear.

I'd also say the razors should be honed by someone reputable, or at least by the same person, and each razor should be honed to its full potential (i.e. you should not try to give them an even starting ground).

Do I count as reputable?

 

[holli4pirating]

Only you can answer that to your own satisfaction. How confident are you in your own honing? What sort of feedback have you gotten from people you trust? How do razors you've honed stack up to those you've had others hone for you?

To me, I don't know. I don't think I've heard anything about your honing and I've never used any razors you have honed.

 

[richmondesi]

Only you can answer that to your own satisfaction. How confident are you in your own honing? What sort of feedback have you gotten from people you trust? How do razors you've honed stack up to those you've had others hone for you?

To me, I don't know. I don't think I've heard anything about your honing and I've never used any razors you have honed.

I'm not questioning myself. I'm, asking what YOU would consider as reputable. I've gotten great feedback form everyone I've sent a razor to including Sham. If you would like to question that, feel free.

I'm not in the honing business though...

 

[holli4pirating]

I'm not questioning anything. I said I don't know.

 

[richmondesi]

I'm not questioning anything. I said I don't know.

So who qualifies as reputable for you? Would you like to hone it? You said you couldn't get one to shave great though. I'm just trying to make this as legit as possible. You brought up the "honed by someone reputable" point. I'm trying to find out what will pass your requirement.

 

[holli4pirating]

My list of reputable is Lynn and anyone Lynn trusts without question. I would not be so presumptuious to say that I am on that list, but I myself am confident in my abilities to hone.

No, I would not like to hone the GD for your review.

I don't understand why you are attempting to figure out what my qualifications are, unless you are doing your review specifically to convince me.

 

[Will P.C.]

Hey Paul, I think you need to tell your history using straights. For example, what razors have you used? How long have you been shaving with straights?
What kind of beard do you have?

 

[luvmysuper]

I'm not questioning myself. I'm, asking what YOU would consider as reputable. I've gotten great feedback form everyone I've sent a razor to including Sham. If you would like to question that, feel free.

I'm not in the honing business though...

Paul, I've read enough to be satisfied that you know what you're doing.
If I read a review of two razors that both happened to have been honed by you, any questions I might have about the razors certainly wouldn't revolve around the quality of the honing it received.

I also tend to agree with the other post that talks about just shave subjectivity.
I agree that the same set number of laps on a strop for the tested and control razor should be done, but anything other than that is subjective, and really, that's all a review is as well.

I am glad you are doing the review, because I have wanted to see one done on this razor, and personally, the value of a subjective review comes down to how you feel about the individual doing the review, and I feel pretty happy that it is going to be you.

 

[mdunn]

So who qualifies as reputable for you? Would you like to hone it? You said you couldn't get one to shave great though. I'm just trying to make this as legit as possible. You brought up the "honed by someone reputable" point. I'm trying to find out what will pass your requirement.

'reputable' or not isnt the issue - a good comparison is. (Repute is also irrelevant. Paul can put an edge on his blades and get good shaves, one would think good shaves, rather than B&B fame/infamy should be the measure)

Anyway, surely this whole review is about being able to acurately compare a GD to another razor - given Paul hones his own blades, surely he would have to hone this GD to make it a fair comparison.

Additionally, any problems he has while honing it would be a valuable addition to the review.

 

[richmondesi]

Hey Paul, I think you need to tell your history using straights. For example, what razors have you used? How long have you been shaving with straights?
What kind of beard do you have?

Nevermind guys... I'm not applying for a job here and I've done enough to establish myself as a knowledgeable enough guy... I'm done with this before it even gets started.

Sorry to have wasted your time.

 

[Will P.C.]

Nevermind guys... I'm not applying for a job here and I've done enough to establish myself as a knowledgeable enough guy... I'm done with this before it even gets started.

Sorry to have wasted your time.

I know that you know how to hone and have a good collection of razors, but many people who the the forum might not.

 

[JonnyAngel]

Hey Paul, I think you need to tell your history using straights. For example, what razors have you used? How long have you been shaving with straights?
What kind of beard do you have?

The burden isn't on Paul to prove himself as anything. Its up to you to do your research and trust who's advice you will trust.

Furthermore, members that are willing to test and do write-ups of shaving gear of ANY kind are what makes B&B a great place. More than that, this is the type of knowledge that moves the group forward. In addition, through testing of GS straights would give new guys much needed info. Look at it like this; if a GB is worth a darn it will advance straight shaving as a whole. This should be the end goal and noone's ego!

 

[Tolduonce]

Some ideas. Start with two razors of similar grind in shave ready condition. This is subjective, but you determine what that means. Strop both. If that means one razor needs more stropping than the other, so be it. Prep and lather. Shave one side of your face with the control and the other with the Gold Dollar. Same number of passes. Record number of passes. If you're at the BBS stage with one razor and not the other, finish up the stubbly side with a DE, because you want to keep the same number of passes on both razors. Do your typical after shaving razor care with both razors. Next day repeat the procedure, but switch sides of your face. The razor previously used on the right side now shaves the left and vice versa. This will help to rule out dominate hand, beard growth pattern variations. The only other variable I can think of is lather changes that may occur to the unshaven side while shaving the first side. Continue the procedure and compare the edges for degradation. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Seraphim]

Yikes and gadzooks!

No wonder nobody has ever done a review of them before!!!


Paul, are you sure that you are even getting a good shave? Have you had it confirmed by an outside source? A tracebale NIST of measureable stubble left after a shave certified by a notary public, filed in triplicate would suffice.

 

[Seraphim]

Here's a genius idea:

How about if anybody has actually used a Gold Dollar razor out there, THEY write in how it shaved for them?

That way we get a consesus view of them, not just the view of one member or another? Isn't that the way reviews are done around here? We don't have an official B&B reviewer do we?

The key here is to have actually used one. Many people hold forth with opinions based on things they've read, and then go on to perpetuate these ideas without actually having experienced them (one example that comes to mind is the idea that stainless razors are SO much more difficult to hone...).

If you honed one up yourself, great, let us know how that process was for you.

If you bought one pre-honed, let us know how that was.