Thread: Newbie looking at eBay

I'm looking to get my first blade, and a shiny new one seems to be out of my price range, but I did a bit of research on what to look for, and I've decided to ask your opinions on some of my options just to be on the safe side.

STRAIGHT RAZOR KORINA SOLINGEN GERMANY,Nº 77 6/8" w/BOX - eBay (item 120360310734 end time Feb-06-09 09:07:31 PST)

HOHS/HENKKELS German Antique Folding Straight Razor - eBay (item 370126047476 end time Feb-03-09 22:26:19 PST)

Clauss straight razor - eBay (item 280198014744 end time Jan-28-09 14:24:39 PST)

KING CUTTER H. BOKER & Co. STRAIGHT RAZOR IN ORG BOX NM - eBay (item 360124317638 end time Feb-14-09 13:42:01 PST)

I'm drawn more to the clauss and the king cutter. I tried to make sure all the right markings were in the right places, and that the blades and scales were in good condition. Help and suggestions are very much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

A hearty welcome to SRP. If I may make a good suggestion to you. Since you are new to the world of straight razors I'd suggest you look at 2 sources. The first being the classifieds on this site. There you will find very nice, quality razors at extremely attractive prices. Many of them less than a few of the razors you are looking at. The advantage is that the razor you get from the classifieds will be truly shave ready (they will be marked as such in the ad). Each of the razors you are looking at on ebay will require some blade work, some of them more than others. Additionally, each will have to be honed. Unless you have the requisite honing skills, you will need to send you razor out to one of our honemeisters to make it shave ready (after all the other blade work has been completed). This adds more time (and expense) until you can shave with it.

Another great source is the Vendors Corner in the forum where you can purchase starter sets sold by some members. Kenrup comes to mind. Again, nice razors at attractive prices. You will not be getting junk from our members. They have reputations to protect too.

In addition to the razor you will need, at a minimum:

1. Strop (hanging the best, but paddle will work)
2. Shave soap/cream (personal choice)
3. Brush (from under $10 to obscene prices)

Best of luck...

I’ll guarantee you each one of those razors is going to need clean up and honing before they will be able to shave your face. Figure $20 plus another shipping charge to send them to one of the fellows here who specializes in that kind of thing. That’s on top of what you pay for the razor. Then there is still risk that the real thing may not be as pretty as the picture. Buy this kind of stuff when you have hones and know how to use them. Prices I am seeing are also way too high for something you are going to have to make right. Watch the classifieds here and get something shave ready from a name that has a history or good reputation on this site.

Welcome to the forum! Ebay, although a great source for razors to RESTORE-is a poor choice to find a razor that is truly shave-ready.

Many issues that plague those new to Str8's can be greatly reduced when you purchase a razor that has been honed by one of the many "honemeister's" on this site.Although your budget may be limited-it is very important to start out with a razor that you KNOW is ready to shave with. This cannot be emphasized enough. Best of luck and remember-PATIENCE,PRACTICE and REPEAT.

And enjoy the ride......

I will second what everyone else said (maybe I'm fourthing) but those are also all good razors. If your nearby I can hone any of those for you if you purchase one, for free. Buying a shave ready razor from someone though is a better choice, but you'll probably want atleast two blades, everyone does.

Welcome to the forum.

As a restorer I have to agree with all the above, there are so few sellers on ebay that are actually "Razor" people, in fact I can only think of two off hand....
Ebay is a great souce of razors for collectors, but a poor choice for shavers....

Be much happier with your first razor, and follow the above advice....


If by chance you decide you are the jump in with both feet into the deep end type , at least you have found a great souce of help here, welcome to SRP

They look like they have potential, but probably not the best choice for first razor.

Listen to the "Old Guys", They have been there, done that and wore out the T-shirt to boot!

I got my first two ebay razors from philotrix, and that got me off to a good start. He has great razors and is honest and gives good pictures. You are unlikely to get a "steal" from him because he is known to have good stuff, but if you buy from him you'll know what you are getting, so that your first one or two ebay buys won't scare you off.

So I'd look for all listings by philotrix and when you see one you want go for it.

If you're looking for a good entry- I'd suggest this one in the classifieds that's still up as of this moment:

Wade & Butcher Bow - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

I've got no connection to the guy, but he's a well established SRP member, and you can't go wrong with a WB, especially for $60

Originally Posted by kenneyty

If you're looking for a good entry- I'd suggest this one in the classifieds that's still up as of this moment:

Wade & Butcher Bow - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

I've got no connection to the guy, but he's a well established SRP member, and you can't go wrong with a WB, especially for $60

I would rather have the Joseph Rodgers Master No.1... wait I alredy have a few of them