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Sharpening them
Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2021 9:41 pm
by OSCAR
I collect knives but I shave with straight razors. I have 3 razors by Dovo which were fairly expensive. They need professional sharpening as it is not in my skill set to sharpen a razor although I can put a terrific edge on a knife. The online store I bought them from offers the service but at $75 each. Does anyone know of a service that does great work at a lesser price ? I have about $700 invested in them and I don’t want them ruined. Thanks in advance for any advice.
Re: Sharpening them
Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2021 10:06 pm
by Eye Brand Man
I'm not an expert on straight razors, but it seems unless they are extremely dull or the edges are damaged, a few licks on a leather strop with some compound should bring them back to shaving.
Re: Sharpening them
Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2021 5:16 pm
by OSCAR
Thanks for replying. I’m no expert either. I strip before every use but I’ve not tried any compound on the leather. I’ll order some and give it a try. $75 seems like a lot to professionally sharpen one blade.
Thanks for the idea. I think that it should make a big difference at a low price. Thanks again
Re: Sharpening them
Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2021 5:18 pm
by OSCAR
Thanks for replying. I’m no expert either. I strop before every use but I’ve not tried any compound on the leather. I’ll order some and give it a try. $75 seems like a lot to professionally sharpen one blade.
Thanks for the idea. I think that it should make a big difference at a low price. Thanks again
Re: Sharpening them
Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2021 1:56 pm
by mrwatch
a quick search shows Dovo for $150 and less, so $75 is not inline unless it has been damaged. Search YouTube videos about sharpening and if possible lots of Barbers still use them. Perhaps one in your area can show you? Their is a shaving store in a shopping mall at Nashville, Tenn. that carries expensive strait razors. My Barber just held out the strap on the chair and went back and forth a few times, and shaved around the ears and used a stipstix stick for the nicks.
Re: Sharpening them
Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2021 2:15 pm
by OSCAR
Thanks. I thought it’s out of line also. I never thought of checking YouTube but it’s a great idea. No chips no rust just used for many years. I’ve no problem putting a great edge on a knife but a razor is such a thin edge. I’ll check YouTube today. Thanks for a great suggestion.
Re: Sharpening them
Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2021 5:56 pm
by Owd Wullie
OSCAR wrote: ↑Thu Mar 11, 2021 9:41 pm
I collect knives but I shave with straight razors. I have 3 razors by Dovo which were fairly expensive. They need professional sharpening as it is not in my skill set to sharpen a razor although I can put a terrific edge on a knife. The online store I bought them from offers the service but at $75 each. Does anyone know of a service that does great work at a lesser price ? I have about $700 invested in them and I don’t want them ruined. Thanks in advance for any advice.
Contact Glen Mercurio at
http://gemstarcustoms.com/ He'll put a stellar edge on your blades. I don't know what he charges but I know his work is good and he is good people.
I'm not a fan of compound on strops. I have a set of stones and keep my own blades honed to my satisfaction. Another option to consider might be a "barber's hone". They are made simply to touch up an edge. A lot of the older vintage ones are delaminating as they are synthetic. If you can find one for a few bucks that is smooth and pretty level, slap a dollop of lather on the stone and run the blade up and down it a few times with little or no pressure. Might help, might not.
Re: Sharpening them
Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2021 6:12 pm
by Steve Warden
Owd Wullie wrote: ↑Tue Mar 23, 2021 5:56 pm
OSCAR wrote: ↑Thu Mar 11, 2021 9:41 pm
I collect knives but I shave with straight razors. I have 3 razors by Dovo which were fairly expensive. They need professional sharpening as it is not in my skill set to sharpen a razor although I can put a terrific edge on a knife. The online store I bought them from offers the service but at $75 each. Does anyone know of a service that does great work at a lesser price ? I have about $700 invested in them and I don’t want them ruined. Thanks in advance for any advice.
Contact Glen Mercurio at
http://gemstarcustoms.com/ He'll put a stellar edge on your blades. I don't know what he charges but I know his work is good and he is good people.
I'm not a fan of compound on strops. I have a set of stones and keep my own blades honed to my satisfaction. Another option to consider might be a "barber's hone". They are made simply to touch up an edge. A lot of the older vintage ones are delaminating as they are synthetic. If you can find one for a few bucks that is smooth and pretty level, slap a dollop of lather on the stone and run the blade up and down it a few times with little or no pressure. Might help, might not.
I'll second the recommendation for Glen.
He's the only one who has sharpened my straight razors.
Very professional and quick turnaround, great pricing.
Re: Sharpening them
Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2021 8:28 pm
by OSCAR
Owd. Thanks for posting. I’ll check it out. Not sure I wanna try sharpening but let a pro. I got by with leather strop for a few years. Now all are dull. I’ll see what he charges. Thanks again Oscar