Lucky
Member
I'm aware of straight razors, but not sure I'm comfortable enough to use one. So are there any safety razors that have re-sharpenable blades?
Re-sharpenable razors:
- Thread starter Lucky
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I can't think of anything other than straight razors. Of course there would be no point to resharpening the disposables. They can easily be replaced, and probably wouldn't have good enough steel to take a new edge after the old one gets dull. I tried my hand at the straight razor for a while. It does shave close, but it also takes a while to get done. And when you nick yourself, you really nick yourself. I went back to disposables, mostly because you can shave quicker.
Jason
Jason
Bobo
Member
There used to be one made in England I believe, called a Rolls Razor.
Don't know if they are still available - might want try Googling.
Don't know if they are still available - might want try Googling.
They did exist from the 1920-1930's, I own a safety blade sharpener which I bought as a collectable off-of eBay. They were designed when the razors were much thicker than the ones available nowadays (probably 2x as thick). They won't sharpen new blades.
You can still buy these from eBay, but I wouldn't trust the quality of the blades for daily shaving.
You can still buy these from eBay, but I wouldn't trust the quality of the blades for daily shaving.
Straight razors aren't too bad with practice. Just be prepared for a few nick when you start. Once you use a cutthroat, all other shaves fail to impress.
You can get a good Dovo stright razor from classicshaving.com for about $50. Don't scrimp. Considering a good razor will last years, it's a pretty cheap investment.
You can get a good Dovo stright razor from classicshaving.com for about $50. Don't scrimp. Considering a good razor will last years, it's a pretty cheap investment.
Joe Demko
Member
I used to use a straight razor and there's nothing magical about their shave. Guys get the impression that the shave is better because of the razor, but it's not. The shave is better because guys using straights (or getting barber-shaved with one) tend to get their beard prepped better before shaving and use a genuine shaving soap for the lather.
Take the time to wash your face, then use hot, wet towels to soften your beard, then apply good quality shaving soap (worked in with a shaving brush) and you'll get the same wonderful shave from a disposable as you will from a straight razor.
I know an old, retired barber_from whom I learned the above_he also told me the secret to reduced skin irritation is to shave in as few strokes as possible.
Take the time to wash your face, then use hot, wet towels to soften your beard, then apply good quality shaving soap (worked in with a shaving brush) and you'll get the same wonderful shave from a disposable as you will from a straight razor.
I know an old, retired barber_from whom I learned the above_he also told me the secret to reduced skin irritation is to shave in as few strokes as possible.
Lucky
Member
Very interesting, thanks.
I'm thinking longer-term, like when something else happens and we are back on rationing.
I just had a good experience from Knifecenteronline, and started looking at these: http://www.knifecenter.com/knifecenter/conk/merkur.html
because I wasn't sure I'd be confident enough with these: http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/s...aving Sets&srch=waDESCRIPTIONdatarq=shave set
I'm thinking longer-term, like when something else happens and we are back on rationing.
I just had a good experience from Knifecenteronline, and started looking at these: http://www.knifecenter.com/knifecenter/conk/merkur.html
because I wasn't sure I'd be confident enough with these: http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/s...aving Sets&srch=waDESCRIPTIONdatarq=shave set
ClarkEMyers
Member
The Rolls Razor has a good rep mostly for field and travel use in modern times. For the classic Gillette double sided blue blade the traditional trick was using the inside of a glass to align the edge in the manner of a knife steel and get another day out of the blade - rich was once defined as comfortably using a new blade every day in the days before Wilkinson Sword changed shaving habits.
India stones with a rounded depression for sharpening double edged blades were made that had a curve much like the inside of a drinking glass.
Straight razors aside I doubt the selection of blades currently available will sharpen at all well - I'd stock up on razor blades or buy something that would last but be hard to sharpen - I notice AG Russell is selling knives with steel blades up to the high 60's on the Rockwell C scale and ceramics that go higher yet - a set of those for shaving would do for a lifetime I suspect.
India stones with a rounded depression for sharpening double edged blades were made that had a curve much like the inside of a drinking glass.
Straight razors aside I doubt the selection of blades currently available will sharpen at all well - I'd stock up on razor blades or buy something that would last but be hard to sharpen - I notice AG Russell is selling knives with steel blades up to the high 60's on the Rockwell C scale and ceramics that go higher yet - a set of those for shaving would do for a lifetime I suspect.
armedandsafe
Member
Some people are shying away from the ceramics because "you can't sharpen them." I have and do sharpen ceramics with a diamond stone. Also, the last one I bought said to do so in the instruction manual.
I have one of those nifty single-edge Gilette blade sharpeners which whirls around and flops back'n'forth. Nifty to watch, but i haven't tried it yet.
I shave in the shower every day (except Sunday) with a straight razor. I've had this face so long I know exactly where it is and don't need a mirror to find it.
Pops
I have one of those nifty single-edge Gilette blade sharpeners which whirls around and flops back'n'forth. Nifty to watch, but i haven't tried it yet.
I shave in the shower every day (except Sunday) with a straight razor. I've had this face so long I know exactly where it is and don't need a mirror to find it.
Pops
A little trick I picked up in Russia...soak the razor in Vodka and it will last a long time. The dullness is caused by dead skin cells clogginging the razor. I keep mine in a little tupperware container I stole from the wife. Btw I use a Gillete Mach 3.
Zeke/PA
Member
I have been a sucker for comfortable shaving most of my adult life.
To date, I've tried 'em all from straight razors to electrics.
My method for about the past 18 months is this:
Shower or hot towel to soften beard.
Hot lather using a Conair hot lather gadget on shaving cream can.
Gillette "Fusion" razor with the 5 blades insert.
Shaving daily, I have gotten 90 shaves with 1 insert and the soft beard- hot lather method.
Respectfully, Zeke
To date, I've tried 'em all from straight razors to electrics.
My method for about the past 18 months is this:
Shower or hot towel to soften beard.
Hot lather using a Conair hot lather gadget on shaving cream can.
Gillette "Fusion" razor with the 5 blades insert.
Shaving daily, I have gotten 90 shaves with 1 insert and the soft beard- hot lather method.
Respectfully, Zeke
ambidextrous1
Member
The Rolls razor was a very clever design that came in a package about 1/2 inch thick, 8 inches long, and maybe 4 inches wide. That contained the razor handle, two blades, a stone, and a leather strop.
Sharpening wa accomplished by moving the fixtured blade back & forth in a "click-clack" manner, first on the stone, then on the strop.
The edge produced by this method was probably very good for the 1930s, but no match for contemporary blades. Rolls did not (could not?) improve their design to keep up with competition, and accordingly, retired from the game.
Incidentally, the blade manufacturers have made sure that blades of contemporary manufacture can not be resharpened by any known method.
Not to be discouraged, I'm going to try the vodka method described earlier.
Sharpening wa accomplished by moving the fixtured blade back & forth in a "click-clack" manner, first on the stone, then on the strop.
The edge produced by this method was probably very good for the 1930s, but no match for contemporary blades. Rolls did not (could not?) improve their design to keep up with competition, and accordingly, retired from the game.
Incidentally, the blade manufacturers have made sure that blades of contemporary manufacture can not be resharpened by any known method.
Not to be discouraged, I'm going to try the vodka method described earlier.
frenchwrench
Member
I have my fathers Rolls Razor. Sterling silver box and sharpener , reverse the lids for strop or stone. Still has a great edge on it.
coelacanth
Member
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I've played around with. . . . .
trying to sharpen contemporary double edge blades and while it can be done the result is generally inferior to a good straight razor. As other folks have pointed out, beard prep and technique are the keys to a good shave. Aside from that, what have you got against beards and mustaches? A good pair of scissors can keep you looking dapper and well trimmed almost indefinitely.
trying to sharpen contemporary double edge blades and while it can be done the result is generally inferior to a good straight razor. As other folks have pointed out, beard prep and technique are the keys to a good shave. Aside from that, what have you got against beards and mustaches? A good pair of scissors can keep you looking dapper and well trimmed almost indefinitely.
Snowdog
Member
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I've been using a straight razor nearly exclusively for over two years now and won't go back to electric. I believe I posted my beginning experienced either here or APS a couple years ago.
I say "exclusively" as there are days where the snooze was hit too many times and there isn't much time to shave properly, forcing me to use a disposible. However, if you can invest the 5 - 10 minutes to prep the beard (simply hydrating the whiskers/skin which essentially happens by itself during a hot shower), stropping the razor and working the soap into a froth, you can experience a close shave that no disposible razor can touch, IMHO. I was hooked after hearing the "ripping paper" sound of the blade cutting my wire-beard for the first time and finding I still had baby-soft cheeks near the end of the day.
Of course there's a learning curve though... usually 2 weeks for most folks, which is about what it took me.
I purchased a "newer" DOVO (Jemico, Blue Steel) and didn't much care for it. A 70-year-old Eskilstuna Swedish razor I bought off ebay for $15 seems to hold a keen edge far longer, needing a light hone only one a month or so.
I've only purchased shaving soap for shaving in those two years... at .88 cents a puck. Not many can claim to spend less than a dollar on shaving equipment every 45 days.
If you're interested in giving straight razor shaving a try, let me know and I'll PM you some links that'll help you get started. Just don't purchase anything until you research first. There are too many people being turned off to straight razor shaving after buying garbage razors from Pakistan and China that won't hold a keen edge regardless what's done to it. Same can be said for the garbage soap brushes out there. $10 will buy you a great old W&B Sheffield 5/8" that if cared for will last you years, decades even.
I say "exclusively" as there are days where the snooze was hit too many times and there isn't much time to shave properly, forcing me to use a disposible. However, if you can invest the 5 - 10 minutes to prep the beard (simply hydrating the whiskers/skin which essentially happens by itself during a hot shower), stropping the razor and working the soap into a froth, you can experience a close shave that no disposible razor can touch, IMHO. I was hooked after hearing the "ripping paper" sound of the blade cutting my wire-beard for the first time and finding I still had baby-soft cheeks near the end of the day.
Of course there's a learning curve though... usually 2 weeks for most folks, which is about what it took me.
I purchased a "newer" DOVO (Jemico, Blue Steel) and didn't much care for it. A 70-year-old Eskilstuna Swedish razor I bought off ebay for $15 seems to hold a keen edge far longer, needing a light hone only one a month or so.
I've only purchased shaving soap for shaving in those two years... at .88 cents a puck. Not many can claim to spend less than a dollar on shaving equipment every 45 days.
If you're interested in giving straight razor shaving a try, let me know and I'll PM you some links that'll help you get started. Just don't purchase anything until you research first. There are too many people being turned off to straight razor shaving after buying garbage razors from Pakistan and China that won't hold a keen edge regardless what's done to it. Same can be said for the garbage soap brushes out there. $10 will buy you a great old W&B Sheffield 5/8" that if cared for will last you years, decades even.
coelacanth
Member
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2007
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- 455
ummm. . . . . .
about that link to Lehman's - they say that item is currently unavailable.
about that link to Lehman's - they say that item is currently unavailable.
You can "improve" a dull edge on a double-edged razor blade.
Put it into a straight side (not tapered side) glass glass (not plastic or other construction) so that a non-sharp edge rests on the bottom of the glass and the blade is against the side. The edges will now be resting on the side of the glass and the curvature of the glass will provide the blade/abrasive angle.
Use your finger in the middle of the blade to push it back & forth. Then turn it over & repeat. I guess you could call it sharpening, but if it's really dull you're going to be there all day.
Put it into a straight side (not tapered side) glass glass (not plastic or other construction) so that a non-sharp edge rests on the bottom of the glass and the blade is against the side. The edges will now be resting on the side of the glass and the curvature of the glass will provide the blade/abrasive angle.
Use your finger in the middle of the blade to push it back & forth. Then turn it over & repeat. I guess you could call it sharpening, but if it's really dull you're going to be there all day.
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