8 BORE
50 Cal.
They work great for a patch knife
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straight razor shaving
- Thread starter JOHN F
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TexiKan
40 Cal.
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2005
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- 549
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Although I do not use a straight razor, for years I have collected early safety razors and related materials. Here is a page from "The Barbers' Manual" by A.B. Moler which was copyrighted in 1911 and I have the 1926 revised edition. Several pages and illustrations are dedicated to straight razor honing and shaving.
Davy Gray
32 Cal
If your looking for a vintage straight razor check out the perfect edge not only does he have them he makes sure they are shave ready! They are sharp!!
Nessmuck56
40 Cal.
Just join the forum.....sharprazorplace.com. Tons of info and a great classified of sharp Razors ,strops,stones....etc.
Ok Ness, I took your warning and I gotta a couple of razors and worked em up. I'm shocked! I bought three in a set from Fleabay, used, bid em at $17.
I love the ol' W.L. Buck Co razor that's kinda yellow, slim, fits my contours right nicely. I soaked the blades with alcohol and shave with both of em. The Gold Dollar went to the shelf with the rest of the rabble. If ya need some close-ups or names of the blades, let me know.
Nessmuck56
40 Cal.
Nice..the black one seems to be the better blade. That yellow one has a lot of spine wear....but will still hone up and shave great. Are the pins tight to the blade ? If not ..you can lightly tap the pin with the back of a good size kitchen spoon ...to tighten them up. So yah noticed a difference eh ? Them gold dollars turn into letter openers.
Nessmuck56
40 Cal.
Also ...what stones are yah using....and grits ?
Between the both of them I still like the feel of the "Buck" but both of em are great. I had to work the Hornet quite a bit to feel ready for it. The Buck was abused a lot. I'm gonna have to make some scales for her and polish her up before I use it again. You noticed the right side had been glued in the mid of the scale right? The left side had a wire at the end for a makeshift fix. Gonna re-do all of it, oil it up and leave it be till I can get to it.
As for the Hornet, I'll keep it my main stay. She's tight with no slack. The grit, I have no idea. It's green, lol but it does the job. The finishing stone is a Swaty, 10 to 12,000 I'd only guess but I took a weeks worth of whiskers off in one swipe with no cussin.
The third one of the bunch on Fleabay is a Badger Razor Works and even tho she's a bit rusty (all of them were) I don't think a stone was used on it. I can't make out the writing except for "Germany" we'll see when she's slicked up a bit.
As for the Hornet, I'll keep it my main stay. She's tight with no slack. The grit, I have no idea. It's green, lol but it does the job. The finishing stone is a Swaty, 10 to 12,000 I'd only guess but I took a weeks worth of whiskers off in one swipe with no cussin.
The third one of the bunch on Fleabay is a Badger Razor Works and even tho she's a bit rusty (all of them were) I don't think a stone was used on it. I can't make out the writing except for "Germany" we'll see when she's slicked up a bit.
By the way!?!? What's with the notch on the end of the blade for? It's made that way for a reason right?
Nessmuck56
40 Cal.
Nessmuck56
40 Cal.
That’s what they call a Barber Notch....just decoration. Did not see all the hack work on the scales.And that black razor has some rust pitting on the edge...Your gonnah have to get an eye loupe to inspect that edge after honing....and hone past all that crud...for a clean edge...or you’ll be bleeding like a pig.
That Sir is a sweet set-up! I've had my feelers out here and there for some good stones, just looking for the right ones.
Yeah, I knew it was gonna be rough and take a while. I've got about the same type loupe and seen the surface, yuk. I've got the time to fiddle around with em altho the honey-dos keep me running sometimes. When I get em done I'll post the B&A pics.
Nessmuck56
40 Cal.
4/8 is the thinnest razor I know of.
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2018
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The barber’s notch is designed to make opening the razor easier. This little addition was particularly convenient for barbers who would be flicking open several razors throughtout the day.
Nyckname
45 Cal.
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2019
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Would not the barber's notch be inside of the handle when the razor is closed?
Been using one a long time,best shave you will ever get, if razer is hone right.
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Yes it would be inside - Google "flicking "...
- Joined
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My Grandfather was a Barber, he was trained while aboard the USS MISSISSIPPI between the wars. His other job was gunner's mate. He later had several barber shops thru the years.
He used a Double Duck-Pearl Duck in his later years. My father would hone his razors and he taught me.
I was told the were 2 shaves and 2 prices for a shave in the 20's; a straight down shave was the most common, the working man preferred it because it didn't burn as much when he sweated.
The barber made one pass with the razor, going with the grain.
The more expensive, time consuming shave went down, then re-lathered, and shaved up. Usually businessman, Preachers, Dr's, etc got this shave.
I used a Double Duck for years, with a hot towel, Williams soap, strop, the whole mess.
I gave up cause an electric was faster, but I miss the Double Duck.
He used a Double Duck-Pearl Duck in his later years. My father would hone his razors and he taught me.
I was told the were 2 shaves and 2 prices for a shave in the 20's; a straight down shave was the most common, the working man preferred it because it didn't burn as much when he sweated.
The barber made one pass with the razor, going with the grain.
The more expensive, time consuming shave went down, then re-lathered, and shaved up. Usually businessman, Preachers, Dr's, etc got this shave.
I used a Double Duck for years, with a hot towel, Williams soap, strop, the whole mess.
I gave up cause an electric was faster, but I miss the Double Duck.
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2018
- Messages
- 31
- Reaction score
- 29
Yer GrandFather had great taste in razors.. now in some of the videos they make 3 passes.. I like the down pass.. Every one seemed to be after the Wade&Butcher Wedge Straights for a while.. UGH !! way too much steel to hone... must be a fad thing for some.. I believe the prices have dropped down quite a bit from a few years ago.. I like fartin' around with that stuff... If I could find a pre 1951 Filarmonica or a Wacker straight for cheap - I would be a happy camper indeed... !! thom
