Rolls Razor

[GreekGuy]

Not a good idea. If you try it you will see why.

Slash, I remember your writing about having the pin welded on a stick. I've been using a chopstick and 4 layers of electrical tape to hone my blades. Do you have any other suggestions for the tool cabinet deficient?

[Slash McCoy]

Only that I hone mine without tape. I have not bothered to calculate the bevel angle, but obviously the original bevel angle, as when honed in the case, is much fatter than honed outside the case with the spine on the hone. So if you are looking to maintain the standard Rolls bevel, you might want even more tape. Like I said I haven't calculated it. But I do get a pretty snappy edge with the spine on the hone without tape. I simply reset the bevel from scratch and went with the blade's natural bevel which may be a bit on the acute side. And just from shaving with Rolls razors I would conjecture that the Rolls bevel is a little too fat for optimum shaving in the hands of an experienced shaver.

I find the chopstick method to be awkward and ergonomically counterintuitive. I would rather just push the blade with a finger on the spine, another finger providing light pressure downward onto the hone or strop. The blade is big and bulky enough to handle it and flip it with the fingers if you are careful.

[Touchy]

A Rolls that is properly prepped will give you a shave as good as any straight/DE/SE or kamisori out there. I've tried a good number of them and to be honest - the Rolls is a hugely under-estimated shaving tool. Once again, if you stick with the Rolls hone, you will never fully experience just how good the Rolls can be. If you think outside of the box and hone it yourself with lapping paper or stones and strop it properly - you're going to be blown away. Far easier to handle than any straight (for the vast majority of people) and an edge that is simply as good as any straight that you're ever likely to use.

Pick up a Rolls for $15 and plenty of lapping paper for another $15 or so...and you have a bulletproof combo second to none...and I do mean NONE. With that being said, I still buy new stuff all the time...it's an addiction I guess; I need help. :)

I have a cracked hone on my new '51 with a nice case. Other than the hone, it is in great shape. I've gotten improved results conditioning the strop and stropping quite a bit and shaves have improved, though only used it 3 or 4 times so far. My last shave was quite good. And I've never used a straight before so traditional SE is as close as I've been so far ... technique-wise. Is there a video anywhere or some precise instructions for honing the blade with lapping film? And where do I buy the film?

[Slash McCoy]

I get my film from www.thorlabs.com but you can sometimes find single sheets on amazon. And I think RickBoone1 was selling kits... not sure if he still is.

If you read the threads (search the site for threads with lapping film in the title) you will get all the info you need. One lengthy thread started by Blix in particular. I am not aware of any videos though I am thinking about making one. Also you might want to read the thread that I posted a link to, earlier in this thread, dealing with the Rolls.

Before trying to hone your favorite Rolls blade, if you have never honed straights, you might want to get a couple of ebay razors, or a couple of whippeddogs from Larry, and practice on them first. A little razor honing experience and know-how will help you approach honing your Rolls with more confidence.