Newbi info and advice

wellboy

wellboy

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104
Hi All
Having read through this and other forums for the past few months I have now become a convert to straight shaving.
Found these in a local "junk shop" and I am looking for any info.
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Razor 1 No markings ecept the name BOHLER STAHL on the tang
Razor 2 has R CLARK Newcastle on the blade. EXPRESS on one side of the tang and GROUND IN SHEFFIELD on the otherside.
Razor 3 Bismarck Razor Bismarck on one side of tang and Made in Germany solingen on other side.
Any info on these razors please.
There is no real damage to any of these razors except for tarnishing.
What is the best way to clean them up.
I am also thinking of trying to hone these razors myself but am really unsure about doing it, I have honed woodworking tools before but something against the skin is totally something else.
What would be the the best one to try to do myself and the best to send to someone who can do a proffesional job on it.
Sorry about the quality of photos but my camera is playing up.
 
they all look quite good. I would defently send one out to get honed so you can feel what a truly sharp edge is like. Also read the posts about honing its a lot diffrent from normal knifes and also a lot finer stones used. To clean them i would just use some elbow grease and metal polish.
 
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I've no experience with honing but suggest sending one out to Neil Miller for honing, that way you'll know what it should be like.
 
The only one I have experienced is a Bismarck. Excellent razors, hollow ground, which can be difficult for a beginner, but not impossible.

The Clark, as it is English steel, more than likely would also be excellent. A better chance it may be a quarter hollow, but I really can't tell.
 
HI!

I have had three or four Bohlers, a couple of JCs and three Bismarcks. The Bohlers take a very good edge, but are prone to micro-chipping and over-honing, so a very light touch is necessary. Don't be surprised if a small burr forms and you have to drop down to a coarser hone to get rid of it (back-honing to remove the burr them some light normal honing before moving back up again). They don't all micro-chip but when they do it is very frustrating. Stones that form a good slurry help, and specialist stones like the Tam O'Shanter are good at preventing this from happening.

The JCs have been a bit of a mixed bag - when they are good they are very, very good but when they are bad they are horrid! Main problems with them are warps leading to uneven bevels. Severe cases might be impossible to hone to shave-ready. Check for warps by looking along the blade and spine, and by opening the razor and laying the blade on a flat surface - if any part bows of doesn't tough its going to ba a problem - a problem best avoided!

Bismarcks - never had a problem with them. If you want to try honing, then perhaps you could start with one of these.

Regards,
Neil
 
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