Gold Dollar

[Woody]

I had a bit of a look but didn't really find any reviews or discussions on the quality of the gold dollar available from ruprazor. Since starting with DE's I've become more and more fascinated by straights and am ridiculously enamoured by them for someone who doesn't actually own one.

I don't have the money for one just yet but am considering getting the gold dollar and the filly strop (which seems to be considered a decent entry level stop) rather than ordering a strop and BST razor seperately just to cut down on shipping costs. I'll post a WTB looking for a razor from someone in Australia but if I'm ordering from overseas postage adds up quickly. Otherwise the Dovo special (and others) is available for AU$185 from mensbiz.com.au which is just over US$150 and so not cheap.

I'm also keeping my eye on ebay in case a shave ready vintage happens to slip through the cracks and goes ridiculously cheaply.

But anyway, enough rambling (not meant to go OT in the first post), what do people thing of the gold dollar? Is there anyone who could perhaps post a review?

Thanks.

[Ohio]

First off, don't EVER buy a shave ready blade from the Bay and expect it to really be shave ready. Just don't.

People like the GD from Ruporazors, and he is a really good guy by all accounts. It is a Double Arrow that has had the scales trued up and the blade honed right. Better than a Paki blade, and almost as good as most contemporary blades. A good start, anyway. You can find yourself a Wade & Butcher (the epitome of straight blades) later.

A shave ready blade from B&B or SRP will likely be ready to shave with, but like you said shipping is an issue.

My advice? Learn to hone, get the stones ($$) and buy "attic razors" and restore. That's the best way to build a collection of straights on the cheap (overall).

If you are truly enamored of the straight razor you will build a collection. The learning curve is steep but rewarding. Anything vintage from Solingen or Sheffield is better than anything contemprary other than pure custome (Big Bucks) razors.

[Woody]

yeah I am keen on restoring old razors but that is not going to happen for at least 18 months. I definately see the GD as a starter rather than my one and only. Having said that, it really will be my one and only for quite a long time so it does need to be decent. I have been getting a good vibe about the GD but nothing concrete.......doesn't really matter though, on;y so many times people can agree with past comments.
Thanks for the input.

[Seraphim]

Do a search for "Double Arrow" that is the same razor as the Gold Dollar, that will turn up more info for you.

I have had about ten of them (double arrows) and they all take a fine edge, and shave well also.

[brothers]

Keep in mind that Ken is a very reputable honemeister. You can't go wrong with his products.

I purchased a new Double Arrow on ebay, and got myself a set of Norton hones at Peachtree Woodworking Supply . This way you get a razor to learn on, and once you get it right, you have a good razor and the hones so you can buy more razors and sharpen them yourself. In my case, I've learned how to hone, but from the beginning I believed I should have a professionally honed razor to use as an example of how it feels to shave with a truly sharp and shave ready razor. (I've got 4 of those, thanks to Ken at Ruprazor). It is worth it.

[Woody]

Ahhhhh I thought it was weird that a razor sold by someone who I knew was highly regarded and whose other work is praised was absent from the review section. I hadn't made the connection with the Double Arrow. :) Thanks.

[Fnord5]

They definitely are a great platform to experiment with, in blade re-shaping and modification.

[Seraphim]

I had a bit of a look but didn't really find any reviews or discussions on the quality of the gold dollar available from ruprazor. Since starting with DE's I've become more and more fascinated by straights and am ridiculously enamoured by them for someone who doesn't actually own one.
I don't have the money for one just yet but am considering getting the gold dollar and the filly strop (which seems to be considered a decent entry level stop) rather than ordering a strop and BST razor seperately just to cut down on shipping costs. I'll post a WTB looking for a razor from someone in Australia but if I'm ordering from overseas postage adds up quickly. Otherwise the Dovo special (and others) is available for AU$185 from mensbiz.com.au which is just over US$150 and so not cheap.

I'm also keeping my eye on ebay in case a shave ready vintage happens to slip through the cracks and goes ridiculously cheaply.

But anyway, enough rambling (not meant to go OT in the first post), what do people thing of the gold dollar? Is there anyone who could perhaps post a review?

Thanks.

Correction: doesn't own one YET....

You've already contarcted the virus, acute symptoms jsut haven't arisen yet....

Here's another Doube Arrow (slightly modified)

[leighton]

I'm also keeping my eye on ebay in case a shave ready vintage happens to slip through the cracks and goes ridiculously cheaply.

Even though, I have a few shave ready straights on ebay, I doubt I'll keep selling there. I also wouldn't trust very many of the other people who sell shave ready stuff. Don't think any of them are on the forums.

Anyway, as to the DA... I personally would not buy it because there are vintage razors to be had for the same price. But if you want new, you can't beat the price.

[ambrose]

even though, i have a few shave ready straights on ebay, i doubt i'll keep selling there. I also wouldn't trust very many of the other people who sell shave ready stuff. Don't think any of them are on the forums.

Anyway, as to the da... I personally would not buy it because there are vintage razors to be had for the same price. But if you want new, you can't beat the price.

+1

[leighton]

Just a quick update re: ebay. I'm actually in communication with another of the sellers who sell "shave ready." Apparently they know about the forums, but don't post here or there. Anyway, the guy seems nice, not going to say anymore on the subject or what I personally think.

[Ohio]

Just a quick update re: ebay. I'm actually in communication with another of the sellers who sell "shave ready." Apparently they know about the forums, but don't post here or there. Anyway, the guy seems nice, not going to say anymore on the subject or what I personally think.

I like you Leighton, and see you as a great contributor to the forums.

But if someone asked me to pick a "useless post" that I have read recently, this one would be near or at the top of the list.

"I have information but I'm not going to tell you" is not helpful.

[leighton]

I like you Leighton, and see you as a great contributor to the forums.

But if someone asked me to pick a "useless post" that I have read recently, this one would be near or at the top of the list.

"I have information but I'm not going to tell you" is not helpful.

Sorry, I found it more prejudicial than probative. I have nothing concrete, and its unfair to talk about someone if they aren't here. But since you've pushed me, I'll tell you. He warned me about making sure the razor would be good enough to shave with yourself or else the info would get out there on the forums.

Now that I've let you guys see the evidence, I need to say this. It is in no means indicative that this guy can or cannot hone or knows what shave ready means. The warning was included with a whole bunch of helpful suggestions about razor selling on ebay.

The thing is this: NO matter where you buy your SR from, it is ultimately your responsibility to research and find out exactly how good the person who honed your razor is. All of us on B&B can usually tell when a razor can or cannot shave to his standards. Thus, the razors sold here will 99% shave for the person selling the razor. On ebay, you don't have the benefit of razor forums dedicated to SR shaving. You just have sellers selling their stuff. Its hard to do any research. Best advice is to post about the seller in the forum and see if anyone has received one of the seller's razors. But that can be a time consuming process & no one may have purchased one. Case in point: isoldit advertised a bunch of razors as shave ready. Clearly an improper use of the term. OTOH, there are very reputable ebay sellers; can't remember any off the top of my head.

In summary, you can trust the guys here at B&B. The razor will be sharp and sharp enough to pass their own standards of shave readiness. Not only that, but we're here for you in the forums. We are there to help you figure out that angle you just can't get. We are here to help you choose the hone you "need." We'll be there to listen to your horror stories about slicing off half your cheek because your daughter burst in or started crying. We're here to fix that razor if anything was wrong with it.

Ebay is not.

[Fnord5]

But, Ebay WILL charge you fees to not be there for you.

B&B is free.

[Seraphim]

But, Ebay WILL charge you fees to not be there for you.

B&B is free.

But you are not supposed to sell large quantities of razors, or operate you business through the B&B forums BST. thus the need for another venue such as Ebite, or your own website.