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If you followed my post on Interesting Blade, you'd see this razor was a surprise as it was in a drawer inside of a paddle strop. That said, it is a false frameback and it is a heavy blade I would date the blade to no later than 1815 when the maker quit making blades ( out of business, probably...

Just picked up a Jon Engstrom frameback in 'ivory'. The edge seemed to be really close on a thumbnail test. I started with a 1k shapton and after a number of passes, found a section of blade that was not hitting the stone. My first thought was the blade had a bit of a frown in one place. I took...

I resist many blades that come along, but show me a vintage blade in ivory, I'm hooked. The first thing is to look for cracks, then the pattern, and then the blade. That seems backwards, but there it is. I have a new (old) Eskilstuna blade enroute with what looks to be pristine ivory scales...

Almost every blade I own is Sheffield 19th century steel and they are great shavers. They take great edges and I have not been a fan of German grinds as I think are a bit harsh. Obviously just an opinion. That said, I do have one German grind. The razor is n ot particularly special but a damn...

I have two Japanese straight razors. One is a vintage Eiko blade on which I have a good history. However I have no information on this blade. If anyone can offer some information on its history it would be greatly appreciated. It was a bit difficult to get a good edge on it as the steel seemed...

I recently came across an Ozuku Asagi (Koppa) stone. I bought this in 2019 and it was not flat! I left in the drawer until recently. I tried to flatten it with a 250 Norton. It was taking forever. I finally got it somewhat flat using the driveway concrete. The 250K smoothed it out a bit and went...

Reluctantly I am moving some of my blades as the 'hand is no longer quicker than the eye'. This blade is a 7/8 Koraat razor in Horn. It is a premium shaver. The horn scales have one small scratch shown in the photos. Its a solid shaver with jimps top and bottom. This razor comes 'shave ready'...

I have a Bill Ellis blade that needs a new home it is in Burl Scales with a custom box. It is ready to shave. I've inlcuded a copy of the spec sheet and a photo of the leaf and vine file work on the spine and underside. Bill said the box was about $100 when he had them made. I contacted the...

I have found age will eventually catch up with everyone including those of us that love straight razor shaving. That said, my steady hand is not quite as steady as it has been. The question now is..... to list my razors on the auction site or here on SRP. I am inclined to list them here. Lynn...

I mentioned before I'm a sucker for ivory scales. I scored these two from the auction for $38. They came from the UK in five days! They are untouched, but neither blade will take much to clean and sharpen.

I have some really good wedge razors, but most are 1800's. I don't think I have any that are post 1900's. Were they victims of the industrial revolution? Fall out of favor? Or did the lighter the 1/2 , 1/4 hollow blades sell themselves? The wedges (mostly W&B) I have are all great shavers. The...

This should have been the SOD post, but it got me thinking. This Wade and Butcher in horn is about 150 years old and shaves maybe better than the day it was finished. I'll bet our hones are that much better. That said, this has a perfect edge. I don't sand the old blades to perfection I just...

I really slowed my buying, but when I see a nice blade for a decent price, sometimes I can't resist. This last one was a nice Japanese straight was advertised as shave ready. Shave ready can be subjective but not when it pulls and leaves whiskers behind. I have nineteen blades in the drawer...

I haven't seen much conversation in years about singing razors. Do you have one? The grinds are fine enough you hear the blade cutting whiskers. This Engels razor isn't particularly special, expensive or rare. It does however, 'sing' when you shave with it.

After fiteen plus years of straight razor shaving, I bled like a stuck pig! I just worked up an 1850's-60's Wade and Butcher wedge. Nice razor. After breadknifing the edge to remove two chips, I went through a sharpening progression that got me close to 'shave ready'. The razor was almost...

I picked up an old W&B wedge with black horn scales period correct late 1800's. The scales are in good condition but dry and showing their age. How best to clean and polish the scales. The blade is in good condition and won't require much more than a dremel wheel and polish and a refreshed and...

Anyone have experience with this stone. I currently use a Shapton 1k, 4K, 8K glass stone followed by a cream colored coticule and .5 diamond pasted strop. I have had pretty good success in getting my edges sharp. I'm looking for information to determine if the 16K stone would be worth the $150...

Anyone familiar with Eiko razor made of Yasuki steel?

I was honing a 'new to me' blade today. As I was honing it I remembered when I got started about fifteen years ago, there was a lot of talk about being careful not to create a wire edge. I haven't seen much reference to it in the last few years. Fifteen years later, I don't know that I have seen...

I'm out of both of my favorites. I'm looking for some suggestions. I've been using Pinaud Bay Rum. Is there a better Bay Rum AS? Also, I've been partial to Mamma Bears Dragon Blood Soap for the past ten years. It lathers well and lasts. Also, taking some recommendations on soaps. I know this...