Thread: Suitable sharpening project razor

Hey guys. Although I'm only 3 shaves in, I'm off for 2 weeks over Christmas and thought I could spend this time beginning to learn honing. From various posts on here, I seem to need a Norton 4/8k and a Chinese 12k (the latter of which could be used to bring back an edge when stropping isn't enough but full honing isn't required).

However, rather than use my only Dovo Best Quality razor, I was thinking of a cheap razor off ebay. I know its difficult to tell from a photo, but I was wondering if something like the following would be a good sharpening project:

bismarck no 55 open razor | eBay

I'm not asking about price, etc, more about rough impressions of brand / apparent quality for learning honing skills, if it goes cheap. There's a few going and from photos, the blades 'look' ok i.e. no pitting, wear, etc. Brands include Bengall, thiers, filarmonica. I'm sure I'll damage a few in the process.

Also, I think a little RAD may be starting haha

Bismarcks, especially the pre Dovo blades are wonderful blades. and that one looks nice on the front side i would ask the seller for more pictures though. be thankful he only wants UK buyers that should help keep the price down a little.

like most vintage german razors that should be nice one to hone. if it were mine i would use one peice of tape on the spine and start with about 10 passes on the 4k and then the rest on the 8k it is slower but slow and less are better. lastly after a shave off the 8k then i would finish polishing the edge on the 12k. YMMV and i'm a heretic

enjoy,
jim

Originally Posted by stevieb

Hey guys. Although I'm only 3 shaves in, I'm off for 2 weeks over Christmas and thought I could spend this time beginning to learn honing. From various posts on here, I seem to need a Norton 4/8k and a Chinese 12k (the latter of which could be used to bring back an edge when stropping isn't enough but full honing isn't required).

However, rather than use my only Dovo Best Quality razor, I was thinking of a cheap razor off ebay. I know its difficult to tell from a photo, but I was wondering if something like the following would be a good sharpening project:

bismarck no 55 open razor | eBay

I'm not asking about price, etc, more about rough impressions of brand / apparent quality for learning honing skills, if it goes cheap. There's a few going and from photos, the blades 'look' ok i.e. no pitting, wear, etc. Brands include Bengall, thiers, filarmonica. I'm sure I'll damage a few in the process.

Also, I think a little RAD may be starting haha

That Bismark looks in great shape, it will be better blade than your Dovo.
A piece of advise , do not post links to live auctions because you may end up in a bidding war with someone that also likes that razor.
Ask the seller about better pics this way you will know what you are buying

Yeah hopefully the price doesn't rocket but I'm watching a few. Thought I may as well use those 2 weeks for something worth while and then I can take my time learning this art.

I'm not really worried about how long the process takes, I just want to learn the best way. So my understanding of the 12k is correct? It could be used instead of a pasted strop, as a temporary measure between stropping and full honing?

Normally wouldn't post direct links to stuff, but just thought I would this time as an example. I'm using a Blackberry at the moment so couldn't save the images on their own.

One thing I have found is that depending on the condition of the blade older razors can be a little more difficult and frustrating than newer ones. On the flip side if you can have success on these blades you will be all the better when u start honing newer razors. That is a very nice razor and the blade looks nice. I really like my Norton 4k/8k and was able to get my first shave ready blade yesterday. I ordered a Norton 320/1k which arrived today and have a chinese natural stone I got from vintageblades.com. Not something you need right away though. Gssixgun and Lynn have some great videos out there I would check out.

That is a nice classic Bismarck I don't think I would use it for honing practice. I would buy it and have it honed by a pro and shave with it. Get a beater or a lesser well know old blade to learn honing with. With that said it is just my opinion if you like it and you want it good luck on the auction. If you win it hone it up, we all me included gotta start somewhere.

What was edging me towards a better make was because I thought the beaters / questionable makes may be too difficult to hone and therefore not really help with proper honing experience. But being new to this, that was just a guess.

Originally Posted by stevieb

What was edging me towards a better make was because I thought the beaters / questionable makes may be too difficult to hone and therefore not really help with proper honing experience. But being new to this, that was just a guess.

Go for it dude, that looks like a great razor especially if the price stays low. I don't thing you could do irreversible damage to it learning. I should have put a disclaimer I have never honed a razor so I don't know squat. I hope to get me some hones and learn when I make it back home. Others with honing experience will hopefully post soon to give us better advise.

Originally Posted by mainaman

That Bismark looks in great shape, it will be better blade than your Dovo.

How do you figure a bismarck would be a better blade than a dovo? I've had both, no difference IMO

It's only the Dovo Best Quality I have at the moment. Maybe that? I'm assuming, while still good, the BQ are still low-end.

Edit:
When I ordered my Dovo, I thought "RAD, nah I only need one, maybe two for when one's went for honing before I learn". Went onto ebay tonight thinking just have a quick look for 10 mins.... 90 mins later: oh thats nice, thats a good one, oh and that...."

Conclusion: no matter what you think, RAD will get you!