I don't usually offer a a place in my stable for anything under 6/8 then out of the blue this pretty dainty mint unused Heljestrand MK30 4/8 half hollow turned up not even a bevel set on the razor till I took charge of her, once I set the bevel Man it took one hell of a edge I don't intend shaving with the razor but I will keep hold of it.
Lovely razor, Jamie. I've never tried the make, but have been tempted many times when I see a fairly-rare Heljestrand…none of them NOS, of course. Really like the blades shape and jimped thumb notch of the tang.
Kevin If you ever have the chance to pick up a MK 31 in good order buy it Swedish steel is some of the finest quality steel you can lay your hands on.
The quality of finishing on these CVH straights is in my opinion, unmatched by any other manufacturer ever. I once owned a lovely MK No. 33. We can place this one soundly in my "Straights I never should have sold" column... Mineral oil on the blade in this photo. Sorry. Nice comparison shot with the Especial Jamie. 'Course about any photo looks better with the Especial...
Those Heljestrands and all the other Swedish made razors are terrific and easy to hone. Very nice edges. I have an MK31 that's around 5/8 and a couple of other MK's. Terrific razors.
Mike, I missed chance at a 133 and 134 from sellers in Sweden and Belgium. I wanted the larger sizes, I think around 7/8 or so than my 5/8 MK31, but I thought prices high at the time. I was badly wrong. Great deals I passed on and mint razors in ivory.
The only thing dumber than that is having one and selling it... I think the 33 and 133 are full 8/8's. I'll have to check and see. Seems like we used to see more of these available, and in nice shape. I think people who get them now are holding on to them.
Jamie, I honestly don't remember what my logic was. I remember thinking at the time "Be sure you want to do this Mike because you'll probably never find another in this condition". I do remember it was a very fine fellow on SRP who purchased it from me.
I would imagine that's one of the few western style razors that's up there with the Wade & Butcher the ottoman egyptain and royal windsor razor and Iwasaki all retailing for big money, Mike I'm not going to say you won't find another but it's a rare that you win the lottery twice.
We see the '33's on d'Bay periodically from Japan, but not in very nice condition. The tamahagane Iwasakis are available, but in mint condition, crazy expensive. As far as the W&B Ottoman and Egyptian and Royal Windsor, I think I know of two and they'll most likely never be sold. Kind of like the Korff and Honsburg Dos Angelitos I have fantasies about finding in an antique store or a yard sale. I know Neil had one, and one other fellow on SRP. Neil always said it was his favorite. He probably took it with him. I may be tactless at times, but I'd never make an inquiry as to it's availability. Not a nice way to honor his memory.
I still have a connection in Sweden and one in Belgium who had a batch of the larger MK's. Magnus on theshavingroom.co.uk is the Swedish connection. The guy in Belgium was British and I'm blanking on his name(Paul...) or handle, but he had many.
No Robert that's not true the British used mostly Sheffield steel but they did use Swedish steel same applies for the Japanese If you look there is lots of Yasuki steel razors around, I've seen British razors made from German steel and German and French razors made from Sheffield steel, and the occasional but quite rare a Japanese razor made from Sheffield steel.
