Questoins about this ebay auction

[dow]

Hey, I'm currently watching this auction: Awesome PAR-NEEL Straight Razor FRESNO BARBER SUP.+ Box | eBay. I'd appreciate any information or opinions that you could give on this razor and on the seller, ebay name philoritx. I realize that this is short notice, since the auction ends in about 4-1/2 hours, but I'd still like to hear anything that you'd care to say.

I'm asking about this auction from the standpoint of a beginning straight razor shaver.

Thanks,
dow

[manah]

Good razor. Proper seller.
You'll need to hone the razor only.

[thebigspendur]

I don't know if it's the pictures or not but it seems to have some strange hone wear at the edge. It can be fixed. Would probably be a good shaver with some work.

[pinklather]

Hi Dow,

Though I've not tried his edges, I DO trust Manah's word on quality. I don't know if the ParNeel is vintage or more recent, but most vintage US blades were excellent. IMO they're very very close to most Soligens.

Manah's counsel to have it honed well is very good counsel. I'd love to hone it for the practice and to try a razor I'm unfamiliar with, but if this is your first razor or you're new to str8 shaving, I would suggest sending it to a pro. Its not that much money, and by getting a pro edge, it lays to rest any questions about the edge's shave readiness. You don't want any nagging suspicions about your edge. Now that also removes any possible excuses about results. There's a learning curve, and the first critical skills are beard prep and stropping.

'Best stropping instructions I've seen are Glen's 3/11 tips.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...ch-2011-a.html
Be sure to read through the thread, as it contains excellent vids from AFDavis.

For making lather:
YouTube - ‪How To Build And Apply Traditional Shaving Lather‬‏

[pixelfixed]

been watching that auction for several days now,will defer to the experts but a few observations,pls correct me if I am wrong.
Thats a great Wester anchor german blade,not American.I have several Westers in that same exact configuration,That blade looks like it has alot of spine wear,JMO

[dave5225]

I've bought several razors from this seller in the past . He is honest in his descriptions , and is a great person to deal with . I've only bought one shave ready razor from him , and it was shave ready , to the max . I highly recommend him .

[ScottGoodman]

I have ordered a few things from them and they sell quite a few razors from time to time. I do know that they clean up some razors before they sell them via a buffer. Pretty confident that they are honest sellers, at least my experiences have been good.

[dow]

Thanks for all the input, everybody. Unfortunately, I was putting the baby to bed when the auction ended, so I didn't bid. Hope whoever won it likes it.

Also, thanks for the link and tips, pinklather. While I've been wet shaving for about 12 years now, just never considered a straight razor until recently. That video on building lather was interesting, and I learned a thing or two from it, I think.

[pinklather]

I've bought several razors from this seller in the past . He is honest in his descriptions , and is a great person to deal with . I've only bought one shave ready razor from him , and it was shave ready , to the max . I highly recommend him .

Dave, this is really good to know. Bravo for this vendor, and thanks for the reference

[pinklather]

Dow, you're in mortal danger of never buying another disposable or DE blade. Once you get through even a little learning curve, I doubt you'll look back. Good shaves can be had from a DE, but I've not had them rival the duration of a str8. Str8s seem to avg about 30% longer between shaveable stubble - assuming you've done well w/ the DE.

However you go with it, I wish you the best & will gladly help. The guys here did that with me, and I think you'll find its the norm. 'Great help, Great attitudes... and then there's the shaves!

Hollar or post threads about any questions you have. The only question that's dumb is the one that doesn't get asked.

All best on your path.