Smoothness and softness

matt321 · Post by **matt321** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 3:31 pm

Got really nice results from my $15 Gold Dollar razor today. I think I will keep it on deck and see how long it continues.

I've read some opinions that these tend to be softer than typical vintage razors. The thing I've noticed about mine is that it feels smooth even when I can tell it is starting to become dull. It's as though it progresses from razor to butter knife, whereas my others tend to go from razor to hacksaw. I mean over several strop/shave cycles.

So I am wondering if that is an indicator of softness?

Post by **drmoss_ca** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 4:18 pm

An interesting thought. Softer steel is easy to hone, exquisitely sharp when honed, but doesn't last so long before needing refreshing. I have always found that unsharpness creeps up on me. I'll shave and shave with a razor until one day I realise it is far from sharp. I haven't analysed how the shave deteriorates as I haven't been observant enough - it's more a matter of suddenly noticing "Oh, sh-t, this needs honing" for me. I'll have to keep an eye out for what you describe.
BTW, I don't visit SRP as often as I should these days, but I am given to believe that the Gold Dollar razors have not been universally welcome there?

Chris

matt321 · Post by **matt321** » Sat Oct 23, 2010 5:29 am

drmoss_ca wrote:BTW, I don't visit SRP as often as I should these days, but I am given to believe that the Gold Dollar razors have not been universally welcome there?

There is no policy against posting about GD's at SRP to my knowledge. They did make a big post explaining why they think they are not a good value. It is a volatile subject for many reasons, so maybe that discourages more frequent GD posts over there. Sort of like when I go over to my friend's house... we don't talk about politics.

GollyMrScience · Post by **GollyMrScience** » Sat Oct 23, 2010 7:40 am

The proof is in the shaving and frankly the Gold Dollars have treated me ok. Granted I have, what I consider, much better razors but for the cost the slightly less life in an edge is forgivable in my books. Others may feel differently and they are entitled to their opinion so long as they don't try to force me to change my opinion with overly enthusiastic argument in favour of theirs.

loueedacat1 · Post by **loueedacat1** » Sat Oct 23, 2010 6:24 pm

matt321 wrote:
drmoss_ca wrote:BTW, I don't visit SRP as often as I should these days, but I am given to believe that the Gold Dollar razors have not been universally welcome there?
There is no policy against posting about GD's at SRP to my knowledge. They did make a big post explaining why they think they are not a good value. It is a volatile subject for many reasons, so maybe that discourages more frequent GD posts over there. Sort of like when I go over to my friend's house... we don't talk about politics.

I don't think there is any policy against GD posts over there, but it is odd that it is a "volatile" subject and too bad that there is a reluctance to discuss them. It's just another brand of razor that some like more than others.

AxelH · Post by **AxelH** » Tue Oct 26, 2010 6:41 pm

matt321 wrote:Got really nice results from my $15 Gold Dollar razor today. I think I will keep it on deck and see how long it continues.

I've read some opinions that these tend to be softer than typical vintage razors. The thing I've noticed about mine is that it feels smooth even when I can tell it is starting to become dull. It's as though it progresses from razor to butter knife, whereas my others tend to go from razor to hacksaw. I mean over several strop/shave cycles.

So I am wondering if that is an indicator of softness?

Hmmmmm. I see you're thought process and I want to think it could have some measure of truth to it, that a steel's level of hardness/softness can contribute to the physical nature of its gradual degradation. Like how some brands of kitchen cutlery will reliably not crack or chip but instead safely warp or indent/impact without much time wasted honing off lots of steel, while more expensive cutlery may accrue micro-chips or even crack. ?

I would like to share something of my own visual-thinking mind with you. I have a straight razor, vintage, which was somewhat thin, but I thought it was made that way because it was also 4/8ths. I honed it up and it shaved well, then the next time it was like a hacksaw. Honed it again and it shaved fine and the next shave it was like a hacksaw. I have a 60x-100x microscope, BTW. I honed it up again and this time used three layers of electrical tape. It lasted more than one shave, or three shaves, it's gone on to last an incredible 8 shaves and is showing no signs of slowing down.

brothers · Post by **brothers** » Thu Oct 28, 2010 10:31 am

I was surprised yesterday when I stumbled onto a listing for new Gold Dollar razors on a certain auction website. I didn't buy one, but at the price, and free shipping from halfway around the world, it's basically free. I had a Double Arrow that I learned to shave and hone with, and I've given it to someone who is inclined to take up shaving with a SR, so he can learn on it too. It shaved pretty good, if memory serves correctly.

AxelH · Post by **AxelH** » Thu Oct 28, 2010 12:41 pm

Yes... basically free. Have you checked out the return policy? Compared it to the length of time it takes to ship to the U.S.? How about that plus the return shipping to China should there be a problem?

Guaranteed Chinese quality my friend...

brothers · Post by **brothers** » Thu Oct 28, 2010 12:52 pm

At the price, it would be considered a throw-away if it had a serious problem. I recently bought a little 60X lighted loupe for around $6 from Singapore or Hong Kong. It's excellent. If it breaks, it's a safe bet I'll throw it away and order another and a backup from the same seller.

Montecristo #2 · Post by **Montecristo #2** » Thu Nov 04, 2010 10:54 am

Might make a good travel razor....

ronnie brown · Post by **ronnie brown** » Tue Nov 16, 2010 4:25 pm

the gold dolar and doubel arrow are the same razor the da was sold under a diffrent name but both are the same razors

matt321 · Post by **matt321** » Tue Nov 16, 2010 5:47 pm

Montecristo #2 wrote:Might make a good travel razor....

My GD earned my respect soon after I bought it on ebay from seller Mr. Parko. I honed it up and took it on and two week road trip. I fully expecting that after the first few days it would be useless. I was only shaving every other day or so, but to my surprise it held a good edge for the entire trip.

matt321 · Post by **matt321** » Tue Nov 16, 2010 6:09 pm

matt321 wrote: The thing I've noticed about mine is that it feels smooth even when I can tell it is starting to become dull. It's as though it progresses from razor to butter knife, whereas my others tend to go from razor to hacksaw. I mean over several strop/shave cycles.
So I am wondering if that is an indicator of softness?

Almost saying the same thing?:
http://openlibrary.org/books/OL24159816M/

SMF

Smoothness and softness

Smoothness and softness

Re: Smoothness and softness

Re: Smoothness and softness