Allegro Model L Blade Sharpener

[Beard Dregs]

I found mine in an antique store for about $25, i started this thread because searching in 2013 didn't get much info about them. I thought it looked really cool and thought you should see it.

Our patents are the same except USA 1862452, i should probably verify that one.

So i guess it appears that:
- They may have started off as painted, then went shiny. Maybe had a cheap/expensive model.
- Then added tension setting later in the run.
- Shaving stuff is cool.

Post 17, picture 9 kinda shows how much the blade flexes over the stone on med. tension.

I saw one other of these back around 1998 while clearing out my grandmas house, in a big box of SE, DE, straight razor stuff that my aunt ended up taking. It was also shiny, had a spare triangle stone. I don't remember if it had a box or directions.

 

[Rwoodreno]

I suspect that the painted ones are WW2 production as chromium and nickel were strategic materials which Germany and italy would probably not have allowed to be imported by the Swiss. Vital for making stainless steel.

 

[haze10]

But no one is commenting, does this actually work? Have you tried shaving with the blades after sharpening.

 

[Opaul888]

But no one is commenting, does this actually work? Have you tried shaving with the blades after sharpening.

I did think it wasn't any good after using it and doing way more than the recommended laps, still found the blade was dull. After some reading I did take some advice:

Use carbon steel blades, so I bought some branded by "Treet".

I did think if it wasn't working. Then was enough pressure being put on the blade? On this model L, I couldn't find any adjustments to sink the blade lower onto the stone. So I found a way to bring the stone up and closer to the blade. It involves twirling the stone on to its edge. So you can now see the green and black adjoining edges at the top (Pic 2) and also how the blade sweeps over the stone in the instructed (Pic 1) and held position. You will notice it's about 3mm higher and under a bit more tention. The stone will want to revolve back to a flat position, so completing laps like this involves some labor with your fingers underneath, tightly holding the stone as steady as possible. Also you have to hold it all tight and be very careful of course, but you will get used to the holding position needed. I also used a small spray of water with each blade reposition.

For my own peace of mind I not only flipped the blade up and down, but also left to right, so all 4 sides of the blade gets the same stone texture honing it. I did around 40 laps on each rotation (so 160 laps total). You will notice the blade is under more pressure as it goes over the joining edge of the black and green stone and laps are slightly harder to complete. The blades after this process are noticeably sharper once again and the Allegro can be used as a very good machine to get those blades Sharp again. As I said just be careful holding the stone as it does rock and you will need to secure it tightly with your fingers underneath.. Cheers..

 

[shervouet]

I have a later model with a 3 positions spring tensioner and an additional leaflet explaining how to use it with stainless blades. I just used it with a feather blade that was getting a bit dull, it seemed to work. I will have to use it for a week or two to see how it really goes.