Considering one of these badboys... what do you pros think?

Hey guys, first post on this! I have been reading your site now for awhile and just finally commited to joining in the man shaving club. I have had experience with sharpening my own knives for hunting but not one of these badboys.

Anyway, it's a pleasure reading all these posts and this thread is just awesome for learning. Which one of these would you boys recommend for a razor? Which one should I not even consider buying? It will be my first but just like the rest of my tools... trying not to ever buy cheap and just waste money.

Thanks and I look forward to the resposes :). Also pretty sure the old lady wont keep her hands off me once my man status increases 10 points from shaving this way.

Attachment 141965
A 11/16” Sheffield Straight Razor, By T. R. Cadman & Sons LTD
EBAY: A 11 16

Attachment 141966
A Wm Greaves & Sons Genuine Bull Horn Handle 3/4 Blade
Ebay: Vintage Straight Razor Wm Greaves Sons Genuine Bull Horn Handle 3 4 Blade Nice | eBay

Attachment 141967
J.A. Henckels 70 1/2 Straight Razor Shave Ready
EBAY: Vintage J A Henckels 70 1 2 Straight Razor Shave Ready Solingen Germany | eBay

Everybody will have a bias for one or the other. My preference is for the J A Henckels, but then, I have found that German, English, French, Swedish and a lot of the American steel blades all give good to fantastic shaves. Its a combination of emotional response to the look of the razor and a hopefully intelligent response to quality of steel, scales and the feel of it in your hand. Try many and resell what you don't want. Ny collection to date has no two alike and I'm trying them all out to see which way I want to go. That's the joy of this shaving business - never satisfied and ohh! look at that one. Addiction, addiction, addiction. And don't believe the statement shave ready, unless you know it was Lynn or Glen that sharpened it.

Cadman, Greaves, and Henckels are all very good manufacturers. From the pictures on those listings, I'd be comfortable bidding on any of them with the caveat that I'd ask the seller of the Cadman for a clearer pic of the blade. However, assuming that the blades are in good shape, any of those three would serve you well. They will all have been made from excellent steel. None of them look to have major issues such as rust, cell rot, chips, or cracks. Nor do they appear to have excessive or uneven hone wear. That having been said, it is impossible to rule out issues like hone wear and cracks on the Cadman because you can't zoom in to get a good look at the edge. I'd ask for a clearer pic before bidding.

Do you have a preference when it comes to style? I.e. do you prefer the curvy style of the Greaves, of the straighter lines of the Cadman or the Henckels? If you have a preference, then go for that one. There's no sense in buying X if you really want Y. Regret is not a good way to start straight shaving. :)

If you go for the Greaves, pay special attention to that point. Square points can bite in the most unexpected places if you don't pay attention. My right earlobe can testify to that... If you do get that one (or one similar) and are concerned about the point, you can ask your honer to mute the point. It is very easy to do without altering the profile of the blade. Another point about the Greaves: the scales look pretty chewed up, but a bath in some neatsfoot oil would go a long way to restoring them to their original lustre.

As for honing, it is true that if the blade has been honed by Glen or Lynn, you KNOW it will be shave-ready. But they aren't the only options. :) Check out the member services section in the classifieds. You may find someone closer to home. But you should assume that unless you know the seller, even if a razor is advertised as shave-ready, it might not be. So factor in the small cost of a pro honing job.

And of course, and this goes for everything on ebay, set your price and stick to it. And always keep an eye on the razors for sale in the classifieds. There are usually many good deals to be had there from members of the community.

Good luck.

That Cadman is for sale by Taylors1000, and he is a well known and respected seller. I think his name is Tony?
Razor is NOT shave ready, but I for one, would not hesitate to purchase from him.

You guys are all awesome, thanks for the heads up. Looks like it's time to jump on the newbie forum and introduce myself. Once the purchase is made, I will 100% look up the guys for honing.

I'm going to shoot for that WM Greaves as long as it doesn't get silly priced and have them hone the point like Cangooner recommend. I happen to enjoy the non-Vincent Van Gogh look. My newbie ass would probably hack off an ear first swipe.

Well,

you wont get the Greaves dirt cheap, be sure of that. (you will need to beat my bid!) But it is a good razor, and worth going after. I do not advertise in the classifieds, but I would be happy to hone it for you should you win it, for the simple price of shipping. Of course, I will have to shave with it once to make sure its properly set, and I DO so love a good Sheffield shave! :chapeau

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Originally Posted by Cangooner

That having been said, it is impossible to rule out issues like hone wear and cracks on the Cadman because you can't zoom in to get a good look at the edge. I'd ask for a clearer pic before bidding.

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Just for the point of record, the images in taylor1000 auctions are clickable. Click the image, and it brings up a zoomed in shot. You can see every detail magnified.

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Originally Posted by Magpie

Well,

you wont get the Greaves dirt cheap, be sure of that. (you will need to beat my bid!) But it is a good razor, and worth going after. I do not advertise in the classifieds, but I would be happy to hone it for you should you win it, for the simple price of shipping. Of course, I will have to shave with it once to make sure its properly set, and I DO so love a good Sheffield shave! :chapeau

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If you don't bid it up too high I would send it your way for a hone... just saying. Maybe let a newbie get away with having one nice one to start? :)

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Originally Posted by Magpie

Well,

you wont get the Greaves dirt cheap, be sure of that. (you will need to beat my bid!) But it is a good razor, and worth going after. I do not advertise in the classifieds, but I would be happy to hone it for you should you win it, for the simple price of shipping. Of course, I will have to shave with it once to make sure its properly set, and I DO so love a good Sheffield shave! :chapeau

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I was looking at that...only ships to the US....dag nabbit!!

That razor is superb...looks like it's in pristine condition!!!!

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Originally Posted by Phrank

I was looking at that...only ships to the US....dag nabbit!!

That razor is superb...looks like it's in pristine condition!!!!

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Looking at as well.
I am sure there is a lot of interest in that one.

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Originally Posted by CanonSterVa

Looking at as well.
I am sure there is a lot of interest in that one.

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I was telling Magpie I'm not sure how much it's worth so I will probably overpay haha. It does make me happy to know it interests a lot of you senior members... at least I know I'm not bidding on pc of junk for the first one. I imagine you guys are all over ebay razors so I'm not worried about finding some gem in the rough. :) If I lose this one, is it cool if I post other ebay auctions to ask advice? or is this the wrong thread? Should I start a second one. You obviously can review them and tell me the mistakes.

Thanks guys

Thanks for moving this bud, I wasn't trying to hijack that original thread.

So we are down below an hr and looks like the bidding is raising. I'm not sure what is over priced so this could get interesting haha. Also Magpie I don't know if my PM's went through but I did reply a couple times. Thanks for the message man, it's much appreciated. Go Redsox :)

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Originally Posted by newhammiewammie

If I lose this one, is it cool if I post other ebay auctions to ask advice? or is this the wrong thread? Should I start a second one. You obviously can review them and tell me the mistakes.

Thanks guys

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No probs.
You can ask questions here re an auction if you wish but every razor you bring attention to may put other interested buyers on alert.

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Originally Posted by newhammiewammie

So we are down below an hr and looks like the bidding is raising. I'm not sure what is over priced so this could get interesting haha.

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Just so you're aware, these things have a tendency to skyrocket a bit towards the end. My budget for the month is shot, otherwise I'd probably be contributing to that problem on this one. :)

Good luck!

I would go for the Bengal or the Greaves because they seem to have regular wear on the blades. On the other hand there is too much toe wear for my taste on the henckels.

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Originally Posted by onimaru55

No probs.
You can ask questions here re an auction if you wish but every razor you bring attention to may put other interested buyers on alert.

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I wouldn't tell my own mother the item # of something I wanted to bid on ........ until it was over anyway. :angel:

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Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I wouldn't tell my own mother the item # of something I wanted to bid on ........ until it was over anyway. :angel:

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Haha well lesson learned. I was kinda just looking for advice and it seems to have bit me in the ass. Just didn't want to end up buying some p.o.s for the first one and figured I could get some help. Oh well, I have a pretty high bid on this so we shall see. Next time I will just post a picture of one I won and cross my fingers.

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Originally Posted by newhammiewammie

Next time I will just post a picture of one I won and cross my fingers.

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Or study the eBay 101 thread well & learn what to look for. ;)

Attachment 142043
So guys, I just bought this razor and was wondering what you thought about it haha. :)

I don't know if I paid to much for it ($56.99 + $6.75 shipping) but it seems kinda like most of you approve. I am going to send it out go get it honed for the first go and then hopefully learn to do it on my own.

All three look good to me. They should make you very happy. Good luck

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Originally Posted by newhammiewammie

So guys, I just bought this razor and was wondering what you thought about it haha. :)

I don't know if I paid to much for it ($56.99 + $6.75 shipping) but it seems kinda like most of you approve. I am going to send it out go get it honed for the first go and then hopefully learn to do it on my own.

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We don't discuss price on the open forums but it looks good. Let us all know how it shaves.

A great looking razor that will surely last a lifetime.
What you will need to do is make sure it is honed correctly and at that time just watch out for that point when you start to use it.
I have a few battle scars after not being careful enough on my first attempt with a blade like that.

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Originally Posted by CanonSterVa

A great looking razor that will surely last a lifetime.
What you will need to do is make sure it is honed correctly and at that time just watch out for that point when you start to use it.
I have a few battle scars after not being careful enough on my first attempt with a blade like that.

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Thanks bud,

Hey if you had to do it again would you have them round off that leading edge? I'm going to send it to one of the boys in the classified section for my first honing the second it gets in.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by newhammiewammie

Thanks bud,

Hey if you had to do it again would you have them round off that leading edge? I'm going to send it to one of the boys in the classified section for my first honing the second it gets in.

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I thought about it but in the end I just had to get acquainted with the razor and that first bite by the new lady was all it took.
Now I am just more careful with the point - go slow - as I get myself more comfortable with the blade in my rotation.

Good luck and Enjoy it!
Myron

I've been trying to find a good Greaves to restore. I love the look of that one in the pic.