My New Straight?!?!?

**Razorlite** · 01-23-2007, 09:09 AM

Hi Everyone,
I thought I'd give straight razor shaving another go after a disastrous attempt a few months back with an bargain basement razor. Anyway, I bought this from a well known internet auction site for $25. It says it is from Solingen, Germany and is Made by F Herder A Sn. (Google says they made Bayonets during WW2). It has a mother of pearl and brass insert into the handle too.
I intend to clean it up and hone it before putting it anywhere near my face, but I wanted to know:

Have I paid too much?
Any other usefull info you can give me with regards to honing it ect?
Many Thanks in advance!!

**kozulich** · 01-23-2007, 09:15 AM

Originally Posted by Razorlite

Hi Everyone,
I thought I'd give straight razor shaving another go after a disastrous attempt a few months back with an inferior razor. Anyway, I bought this from a well known internet auction site for $25. It says it is from Solingen, Germany and is Made by F Herder A Sn. (Google says they made Bayonets during WW2). It has a mother of pearl and brass insert into the handle too.
I intend to clean it up and hone it before putting it anywhere near my face, but I wanted to know:

Have I paid too much?
Any other usefull info you can give me with regards to honing it ect?
Many Thanks in advance!!

If its in decent shape, I don't think you paid too much (blade undamaged, pins snug, scales solid, no rust, cracks or chips). If you can get a decent str8 for under $30, you did OK in my book. Looks like it is carbon steel, so it should take and hold an edge pretty easily. My carbon blades seem to shave the best for me.

**netsurfr** · 01-23-2007, 09:27 AM

I am relatively new to the world of straight shaving but I would recommend that you send your blade out to one of the honemeisters and get it really tuned up to start. Then you should be able to maintain it with diamond paste on one leather strop and a plain leather strop for some time. It gives you a really good starting point. It is one of the things that I wish I had done in retrospect.

Just my 2 cents,
Steve

**Razorlite** · 01-23-2007, 09:38 AM

Originally Posted by netsurfr

I am relatively new to the world of straight shaving but I would recommend that you send your blade out to one of the honemeisters and get it really tuned up to start.

Any Recommendations??

Also, Thanks for your advice

Van

**xChris** · 01-23-2007, 10:22 AM

Honemeisters (UserIDs on this board)--
EL Alamein, Joe Chandler, LX_Emergency, Joel (he might be busy though

)

The razor looks to be in decent condition, and should clean up alright. Clean it up before sending it out for honing. That way, you don't have to worry about damaging a brand new edge.

**BOGARTUS** · 01-23-2007, 10:30 AM

I like it. You can make something really nice out of that. Good Job!

**Razorlite** · 01-23-2007, 10:57 AM

Thanks guys for your advice and comments so far. Next question - If I send my razor to a honemeister for honing, how much money might I expect to part with?

**LX_Emergency** · 01-24-2007, 04:58 AM

I do it for 10 euro's including postage but I don't know what others charge. I'll also clean the blade up a little if you like. Herder and Sn razors are nice pieces. I've sold a few and not heard any complaints so far. And yours looks like it could be quite decent as well.

**Razorlite** · 01-24-2007, 05:04 AM

Hi,
PM sent. I will be sending it for your Highly recommeded service very shortly.
Many Thanks.

Originally Posted by LX_Emergency

I do it for 10 euro's including postage but I don't know what others charge. I'll also clean the blade up a little if you like. Herder and Sn razors are nice pieces. I've sold a few and not heard any complaints so far. And yours looks like it could be quite decent as well.