Spike brand

[damooshki]

I am curious about this brand of razor. I have seen tons of these on ebay and elsewhere. Which makes me assume that they are of good quality and were fairly popular when they were produced. It's just that they're so inexpensive compared to other vintage razors.

If anyone has any opinions, comments, or personal experience please share.

Thanks.

[Greybeard]

I have a Union Cutlery 5/8 Spike. It's a small, light weight razor with a not particularly aggressive square/spike point. The steel is very good and it takes a nice edge. It looks like a 1/4 hollow to me. It's very manouverable , but may not have the weight or size that some like. The scales are narrow, but a solid plastic.
I like it.

I'm not expert enough to know why, but I see a lot of them for sale with frowns. Maybe they have a tendency to hone this way or are warped.

[Hawkeye5]

I have an 11/16ths Spike. Excellent razor. Referred to as a wedge, but really a quarter hollow and will take a fantistic edge. They come in white and green scales, plus there is a "Special Spike" that is dressed up a bit more.

Many of the eBay examples are beat-up, over honed 9/16th blades. You will have to sort through a lot of goats to find a larger size in better condition. I really think 11/16ths was as big as they came as I've never seen a 6/8ths Spike. There may be one out there, and someone may post that they own one, but if it exists it is rare. Really nice Spikes will cost $75 rather than the $20 most of the eBay ones bring.

I find the Case Red Imp 132 shaves about the same.

[LarryAndro]

The Spike is a near wedge as pointed out. For this reason, I suppose, it felt soft during shaving. It is very hard to explain. But, the metal just felt soft!

It is significantly more difficult to hone and maintain an edge than half or full hollow straight razors. However, this is most likely because I have so much more experience with half or full hollow razor honing.

I see Spike's for sale frequently on Ebay. This must indicate that they were popular.

[John C]

I had a 5/8 Spike that I rescaled a while back.
It was one of my favorite razors. Nice and light, very manuverable, and held it's edge very well.
I'm almost sorry that I sold it, and am on the look out for another one in my travels.

Here's the link for the rescale that I did on it. The finished pics are on the bottom of the second page.
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=125836

Cheers!

[damooshki]

Holy cow John. That's beautiful. You sold it? What did you sell it for if you don't mind me asking?