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Sharp enough to shave with
We always hear the phrase "Sharp enough to shave with". It is something a knife owner takes pride in. Knives were meant to cut so let's see how sharp we can get them and keep them that way. Knives come from the factory with a sharp edge but most are not shaving sharp. Shaving sharp is a learned skill. I personally use a Lansky sharpening system but am looking at a new Wicked Edge system I learned about here.
But is shaving sharp used anymore in everday life? I recently sought out a barber who does an old fashioned shave with a straight razor. I would have never thought of this before joing iKC. But being a member has spurred in me a sense of longing to learn everything about cutlery. Talk about blindly following someone! So I went to the source of the shaving subject, a barber. The results were amazing! After the barber spent time reassuring me that he had done this before, I relenquished my exposed and soaped neck. As soon as the edge touched my skin I knew this was the point of no return. What a phrase to think about when a stranger has a razor at your throat. At the first upward stroke I was in awe. So smooth. Such an effortless movement. The stubble was cleanly removed! As soon as I realized I was not in a slasher movie and my widow was not going to be contacted by police, I settled down to enjoy my first shave from a barber.
Why did I do this?? I have acquired several razors over the past couple of years. They are usaually in among knives or such items of interest. I realized I had "collected" a small gathering of straight razors. Interesting pieces. Rich with history. Full of mistique. We can all remember movies with the likes of Clint Eastwood having at least a weeks worth of brush sythed from his face by a barber who also needed a shave. So here I am with these straight razors from yesteryear. I have seen new razors advertised in today's catalogs but I am wondering, do they sell with the advent of the safety and disposable razors.
Does anyone else have razors floating in the knife collections? Does anyone have a collection of razors? I'll start off with one from Clauss Shear works of Fremont, Ohio made prior to 1919. Anyone else??
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Chuck Parham on
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That is one nice looking razor Ken and the KaBar is awesome as well! Leave it to a Leatherneck to shave with a straight razor! The single blade folder sure looks like it could tell some great stories. Thank you for sharing your pictures but more importantly, thank you for your service!!
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I wonder what stories it could tell?
Ken Spielvogel said:
Ken Spielvogel said: Not a very good pic - I really like the knife, very sharp, I find myself carrying it as EDC often.
Chuck Parham said:Post a picture of it Ken! We're always interested in what folks pick up.
Ken Spielvogel said:I just got an old one blade Kabar Olean NY knife off ebay, with a blade "sharp enough to shave with". I love it.
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Permalink Reply by Ken Spielvogel on
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Chuck, thanks for your kind words. Ken
Chuck Parham said:I wonder what stories it could tell?
Ken Spielvogel said:
Ken Spielvogel said: Not a very good pic - I really like the knife, very sharp, I find myself carrying it as EDC often.
Chuck Parham said:Post a picture of it Ken! We're always interested in what folks pick up.
Ken Spielvogel said:I just got an old one blade Kabar Olean NY knife off ebay, with a blade "sharp enough to shave with". I love it.
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Permalink Reply by Steve Hanner on
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Well I started my search for a razor, something with a good handle and a blade that I can resharpen. I know its kind of a throwback move but in the long run it will save money and maybe I can get good at it?
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That sure looks like a good one Ken!
Ken Spielvogel said:
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A nice looking razor. Lay in a supply of band aids and styptic sticks!
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Permalink Reply by Jason Oncedisturbed Riley on
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nice looking razors, don't have any myself but have thought about getting some
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Well I have too and as I get better at sharpening, I am thinking of a good quality older razor, that has high carbon steel, takes a good edge and has a handle that won't fall off!
Pretty soon time for iKC Shaving Mug and Brush!
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Permalink Reply by Max McGruder on
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Those are some good looking Razors!
I used to use a Straight Razor at work but the Health Dept. put a stop to it many years ago because a microscopic drop of blood could be left on the blade and transfered to someone else, since you can't sterilize the Razor in an Autoclave (the handles would melt ) and just cleaning it wont kill everything!
But here are some I have most have the boxes, my favorite being the Large Wade & Butcher with Buffalo handles.
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What a cool looking bunch of razors
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Thanks Ken. I also have some with removable blades and metal handles.
And this one by Parker that servived my second house fire (fire started from kids with bottle rockets in early morn. hours of 5 july many years ago) Second pic is after I cleaned it up a bit!
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