Yet another Gold Dollar thread!

[Pumpkin]

I know that opinions and feelings on GD's vary widely and I'm not intending to open a can of worms and ignite a huge debate here.

Yesterday, I received the Gold Dollar #208 6/8 that I'd ordered from the bay (seller was Mr. Parko in Hong Kong). Will post pics later.

I bought this razor with the sole intention of using it to practice honing on in the future, it was cheap ($7 including free shipping) and I won't feel too upset if I make a complete pig's ear of it! My decision was swayed slightly by Seraphim's opinion that it is possible to get an edge on this model. I'd read that there were some major QC issues with a lot of the GD's but I'm wondering if anyone with experience of them has noticed any improvements?

I ask because it looks like the shoulder and heel have been ground down to quite a large degree and it does appear pretty sharp...it certainly cuts arm hair easily and evenly. I haven't got the experience to accurately guage HHT.

To my (admittedly untrained) eye, everything seems straight and aligned although the scales do bow out very slightly when it's opened past 180 degrees.

Did I get lucky with this particular razor, or are they listening to some of the feedback from B&B and other forums?

 

[michiganlover]

or are they listening to some of the feedback from B&B and other forums?

I would severely doubt that, as their is little incentive to produce a top notch product, when the retail price is less than $10 (maybe even less than $5).

 

[holli4pirating]

I believe the bowing outwards of the scales is just a result of the rather flexible scales. Opening the razor causes more... I don't know how to word it... pressure between the tang and the scales? I has to do with the scales, the shape of the tang, and (on most razors) the tapered wedge. If you unpinned the majority of razors, you would find the scales at the pivot end move apart. It's just a part of the razor's design.

 

[SliceOfLife]

I doubt they've changed anything. It sounds like you got a good one.

 

[Seraphim]

I know that opinions and feelings on GD's vary widely and I'm not intending to open a can of worms and ignite a huge debate here.

Yesterday, I received the Gold Dollar #208 6/8 that I'd ordered from the bay (seller was Mr. Parko in Hong Kong). Will post pics later.

I bought this razor with the sole intention of using it to practice honing on in the future, it was cheap ($7 including free shipping) and I won't feel too upset if I make a complete pig's ear of it! My decision was swayed slightly by Seraphim's opinion that it is possible to get an edge on this model. I'd read that there were some major QC issues with a lot of the GD's but I'm wondering if anyone with experience of them has noticed any improvements?

I ask because it looks like the shoulder and heel have been ground down to quite a large degree and it does appear pretty sharp...it certainly cuts arm hair easily and evenly. I haven't got the experience to accurately guage HHT.

To my (admittedly untrained) eye, everything seems straight and aligned although the scales do bow out very slightly when it's opened past 180 degrees.

Did I get lucky with this particular razor, or are they listening to some of the feedback from B&B and other forums?

It is my opinion that you can get a great edge on all the models. However, the heel on the 200 series seems to be slightly less problematic than on the 74 model. As such, the 200's may be easier for a guy just starting to hone.

Don't doubt that you have a nice, capable razor there, you most likely do. The quality from razor to razor can indeed vary quite a bit, but it's not like finding a needle in the haystack, often times they are nice to begin with. Hone it up (make sure to spend the time to set the bevel correctly) and see what you think.

Then you too can participate in multiple page epic threads on the topic!

 

[jtrops]

I have a GD208 that shaves really well, but I had to grind down the heel and shoulder a bit with my Dremel to get good contact with the hone. I'll get a photo later to show you what I did. If your's has "been ground down to a large degree" you may not have to do any more work before honing.

As for the bent tangs, and other issues about fitting into scales I would say don't worry about it if you don't plan on re-scaling the razor.

 

[Pumpkin]

Pic as promised.
From top: Gold Dollar #208, Offenbach 6/8, French 402 4/8 (yes, I've got SRAD already ).

When measured the GD comes in at closer to 15/16ths than the advertised 6/8.

 

[Pumpkin]

I believe the bowing outwards of the scales is just a result of the rather flexible scales. It's just a part of the razor's design.

It doesn't look/feel like a big deal...would agree the scales feel flexible.

I doubt they've changed anything. It sounds like you got a good one.

It is my opinion that you can get a great edge on all the models. However, the heel on the 200 series seems to be slightly less problematic than on the 74 model. As such, the 200's may be easier for a guy just starting to hone.

Don't doubt that you have a nice, capable razor there, you most likely do. The quality from razor to razor can indeed vary quite a bit, but it's not like finding a needle in the haystack, often times they are nice to begin with. Hone it up (make sure to spend the time to set the bevel correctly) and see what you think.

Then you too can participate in multiple page epic threads on the topic!

To this newbie it looks like they've just removed the heel completely!

I have a GD208 that shaves really well, but I had to grind down the heel and shoulder a bit with my Dremel to get good contact with the hone. I'll get a photo later to show you what I did. If your's has "been ground down to a large degree" you may not have to do any more work before honing.

As for the bent tangs, and other issues about fitting into scales I would say don't worry about it if you don't plan on re-scaling the razor.

It certainly looks like the spine and edge will lie flat. As I said it "seems" straight and it fits into the sccales okay (no exposed edge anyway! )

Re-scaling was on my DIY wish-list...but I'll be leaving that for a while