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Post by mjclark on Apr 10, 2014 14:39:43 GMT -6
Discussing the Rolls on another forum, a guy called kcb5150 wondered what would happen if you pasted the case strop, so I tried it. I pasted the case strop with ferric oxide and baby oil then stropped a previously honed blade vigorously in the case before shaving. The result was superb and my best Rolls shave ever, a smooth comfortable BBS. At last in the 21st century, we've got the Rolls razor working properly. Now the blade actually can be maintained and improved in the case, it's the perfect razor
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Post by PJGH on Apr 10, 2014 15:01:56 GMT -6
So, like Dovo red? I gave my strop some Ballistol, perhaps my hone could do with a hand.
Useful, mate.
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Post by drumzalot on Apr 10, 2014 18:21:54 GMT -6
A very good tip thanks MJ!
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papabear
Blade King
Looking for one that is just right
Posts: 465
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Post by papabear on Apr 11, 2014 6:27:48 GMT -6
I need to try this.
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RobinK
Lather Catcher
Posts: 505
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Post by RobinK on Apr 11, 2014 14:19:32 GMT -6
I have found that putting the case with ends open on top of a hone works well. No need to mess with abrasives on the built-in leather.
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Post by mjclark on Apr 11, 2014 15:27:10 GMT -6
I have found that putting the case with ends open on top of a hone works well. No need to mess with abrasives on the built-in leather. This is for maintenance after the blade has been honed. It means the blade can be improved and maintained in the case, as Rolls originally intended. It also makes the Rolls into a self-contained and portable system. Took another Rolls blade through a full slate and crox progression before stropping it on the pasted case strop tonight. Shaved with it for another awesome shave - it works, it works, it works!
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RobinK
Lather Catcher
Posts: 505
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Post by RobinK on Apr 11, 2014 15:42:41 GMT -6
Yes, that is what I meant. I use a local hone to this purpose. A blade needs this kind of fresh-up every 50 or so shaves if one uses the built-in strop in between. Another reason why I prefer the Lather Catcher & Allegro combination.
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Post by mjclark on Apr 11, 2014 15:53:44 GMT -6
Yes - there should be another category for "maintainable blade" safety razors like the Rolls, Durham Duplex and all those SEs which use the wedge blades. I'd be interested to know how well those original Wilkinson Sword wedge blades would work after being taken through a progression like this Rolls blade was.
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exapno
Shave Master
Posts: 108
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Post by exapno on Apr 12, 2014 16:36:07 GMT -6
Just when I think I'm safe I stumble across threads like this...
I've been toying with trying a straight for a while now but have managed to suppress the urge so far, which is just as well considering the initial financial outlay. Then Paul starts dangling dog dressers in front of me promising shaves the likes of which I've never had before, ones that will provide a smooth shave whilst also leaving my nose wet and my coat all shiny. Then I start looking at Valets and now Rolls... I had been considering the CJB Kamisori with some feather pro guards as an inexpensive (relatively) introduction to the world of straights but now I don't know what to go for next.
I must admit that I really like the sustainability aspect of the Rolls and its ilk. A good condition set with a few spare blades and you could be set for life. Having checked out a few youtube videos too, it's an absolute marvel of design, simplicity and engineering.
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RocketMan
Gem Star
RazorAddict
Welcome To The Sharp Side!
Posts: 4,167
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Post by RocketMan on Apr 12, 2014 18:10:05 GMT -6
I have found that putting the case with ends open on top of a hone works well. No need to mess with abrasives on the built-in leather. Took another Rolls blade through a full slate and crox progression before stropping it on the pasted case strop tonight.Shaved with it for another awesome shave - it works, it works, it works! Can you explain a bit? Slate is the original Rolls hone or? Crox progression? - reveal all! : ) I like your idea of a maintainable razor section. It is great to hear you are having solid shaves with a Rolls you brought back to life. Good stuff!
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Post by mjclark on Apr 13, 2014 1:34:50 GMT -6
I took the blade through the same.progression as I use for my straight razors - honing with mineral oil, I set the bevel on a coarse (1.2k) synthetic stone then progressed through Dragon's Tongue slate, Yellow Lake slate and Welsh Purple slate before stropping with chromium oxide on balsa. I didn't use the hone in the case at all, but finished by stropping the blade in the Rolls case on the original strop which I had impregnated with ferric oxide. I removed the blade from the case and honed it with the spine resting on the stones - if you do this then it's vital that you initially set a new bevel on the blade, since the angle it makes with the stones like this is different from the angle it makes when mounted in the case (where the clip raises it slightly). Others have tried taping the spine to maintain the original angle, and beberlin's excellent suggestion of taking both sides off the case then placing it on top of the hone would also keep that angle since the blade is still mounted on the clip. Once the blade has gone through a full progression like this, then stropping it on the pasted strop will keep it sharp for a long long time
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Post by mjclark on Apr 15, 2014 2:38:21 GMT -6
I got my new Viscount today. This is a very late model from the 1950s and (unlike my earlier Imperial model which has a piece of leather) the case strop is actually a piece of chipboard pasted with what looks like ferric oxide. Obviously the move to pasting the case strop is a natural developement and I 'll be interested to see how this compares with the leather. Gonna get honing that mint blade then!
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Post by PJGH on Apr 15, 2014 3:04:14 GMT -6
Great catch! Especially for the price. Any snaps of the whole kit?
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Post by mjclark on Apr 15, 2014 3:44:15 GMT -6
Mint blade, strop and hone with instructions, list of dealers and quality inspection slip. Unlike the weighty Imperial, there's something quite sleek and futuristic about the aluminium Viscount. I'm fascinated to see how the chipboard strop works too. I've just repasted it.
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Post by PJGH on Apr 15, 2014 7:15:01 GMT -6
Neat! I just snagged this one for £6.50 ... I wonder if it also has a chipboard strop. Meanwhile, I was looking at my Imperial which is in very good nick and thinking about this ... How much ferric oxide should I use? I have Ballistol oil which I've used on the leather strop plate before just to bring it up a little. Do I oil and sprinkle or make up a paste?
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