The "what is" and " how to" thread for the Rolls Razor

Boy, I'm thinkin' that looks like one helluva good mousetrap, but, I plead ignorance here--I don't get it... How do it work?

 

Let us know when you get a mouse.
One is needed for a proper demonstration.

Mickey

 

Check this link

 

Okay, WW, thanks--that helps... It kind of throws a wrench into the K.I.S.S. concept, but it does seem to have a following. I'm thinking I'll stick with DE, and a soon-to-happen foray into Str8 territory... Thanks againNCV

 

Holy moly! My Rolls has arrived today and it is in virtually as new condition! The hone and strop only look to have been (lightly) used by the last owner. All the paperwork is in order, even down to the thin strip to cover the hone and the razor blade cover. I am now the proud owner of Viscount Imperial no. 2 the mechanism is smooth as you like, right out of the box!

The only slight downer is that there is light rusting in the hole in the back of the blade and on the spindle jobby. I imagine this is from the last owner's imperfect attempts to dry after use.

I will go back and have a look at Greg's instructions, but it's only the lightest rust imaginable so any suggestions for a quick, unobtrusive fix would be very welcome.

 

PICS please!!! I know they all look the same but still love seeing them! As far as the rust, you could try some brasso on a q-tip.... I shave with a rolls almost every day of the week... Although I just got a Valet Auto Strop that I will start to use now as well!!! I use a q-tip to dry the hole on the blade after I shave so it does not rust.... I would still clean the strop of the old paste, recondition and apply some new strop paste.

 

I definitely need to add a bit of paste and elbow grease! I (of course) couldn't resist having a go and, after a good 5 minutes honing and stropping it was off for a shave. Anyway, I have a razor that is sharp enough to shave (just) but not shave well. I managed to go WTG for half my face before giving it up for a bad job and switching to my Edwin Jagger.

Looking forwards to some more honing and stropping action and giving it another go soon! I'll see about adding a snap in a minute or two

 

Could you please show us a photo of your almost new Viscount Imperial no.2.

Don't worry about that rust in the hole and on the pin. A quick squirt of WD-40 will take care of it.

 

As promised - here are a few snaps. Hope I don't break the thread posting them!!

 

Thanks for the advice - I'll give it a go sometime soon.

 

Chopper Harris,

The razor is, indeed, in beautiful condition.
It is a Viscount.
The "Imp. No. 2." is probably meant that the instructions apply to both models.

If you backtrack in this thread you will see the different models and how they differ.

 

Thanks - that's helpful. I've read the whole thread but the is a lot to remember got to head back and re-read the sharpening advice next!

 

Wow, reading this has really opened my eyes, When I first got in to vintage shaving I bought one that that was missing the handle, I thought it was complete, but I didnt know any better. Just recently I bought 2 more for equally cheap prices (and conversation pieces in the bathrooms of my home). Of the 3 blades I have this one is probably in the best shape:














Its so dull it wont take any hair off hand, arm, leg... anywhere. After a few sessions of honing, I feel it might be a little sharper but I really cant tell or see too much of a difference, and it still cant remove hair.

I really want to get this in shape... my strop and hone are in great shape and clean. the pressure thingamagigger is good too and it applies evenly. Should I look in to finding a NOS blade? keep working mine? seek professional help?

What do you gents think of this blade... is it too far gone? Do I need to just give it a few hundred laps while watching tv when i get home from work?

Guidance would be awesome.

 

I guess there's no hurt in trying to hone the blade. Meanwhile you could scan the Bay for spare blades.

 

Yup, you're right! I clean forgot the TSD PIF Force is strong, very strong! Thanks, mate! I'm really enjoying them!

 

Strop is a little ruff and you seem to have the hone in up-side-down. Both would "improve" with a little work with 400 grit sandpaper (yep, you can sand leather). You can spend the time honing & stropping with the Rolls frame or spend $20-30 to have it done. You will still need the frame because the blade will need to be stropped after each shave.

 

I picked up a Rolls today at a pawn shop for $15. It's in great shape...with a couple exceptions. When I say great, I mean the mechanism works perfect, it's shiny and nice and appears well maintained. The exceptions....

1. It's missing the leather strop! I hope this doesn't make it worthless. I assume that can be replaced with something that will work.
2. There is a small chip in the blade, dead center.

I am not a restorer. So, I am going to jump right out and ask. Would someone be interesting in honing this blade back to it's former glory? I am happy to pay for honing services.

How about that leather though?

 

Found a Rolls at an estate sale last weekend. Not bad shape, not pristine by any stretch, but had its original box, paperwork, and additional hones, but at a $50 price tag, I tried some Jedi Mind Tricks with the seller to drop the price. With a kind of pissy attitude, the old bat gruffly informed me that she had checked on Ebay and knew what it was worth, so take it or leave it at that price--I rubbed my face as I politely told her that I hope she gets lots of good shaves with it--I hope she flies into a stalactite...

 

Tyler, as for the blade: you might find spare blades on the Bay. I guess that'll be easier to get a good blade than trying to hone the chip out of the existing blade. As for thewhere I read something about that, but there also is the Bay. Heck, just find a set with a broken hone or something. That reduces the price, but gets you a strop and blade!