Need help/advice

Hey everyone,

I've checked out the site before but just registered. I decided to get into SR shaving and bought a razor off the web. I thought it was good but ended up being otherwise. I'm in edmonton for a week and came across a Zwilling/J A Henkels used/vintage razor. I'm new so I don't know basically anything about razors, but I know Z/H made top notch knives and such out of germany. The blade was marked 50 1/2, though I honestly am not sure what that stands for (I'm guessing length?). This blade will obviously need refinishing and honing, but was wondering if it would he worth getting? They are asking 95$ but I may be able to haggle it cheaper. Slight pitting on the blade but is waell aligned with the scales. Any opinons without pics? Thanks!

Welcome to SRP!

My very humble opinion is that $95 is a steep price for a used blade that has pitting. You would also have to get it honed. Usually you can find shave-ready razors here in the classifieds for much less. New shave-ready razors can be found from vendors that advertise here in the $80-100 range.

Hi Azioner

Welcome to SRP. You can get a new razor for the same price. Straight Razor Designs has Ralf Aust for around that price and they come honed and shave ready. All they need is a good strop when you get them. I have one and it shaves great. You will find a lot of good information on this site. Don't be afraid to ask or accept the help. I have used a SR for over 15 years and still learn from the site.

Buying a used razor is a learning curve in itself. Many things to know so you are sure to get a good one. Buy from someone who uses, restores , or hones. You will get a great razor to learn with that way. If you don't you may waste a lot of money or worse yet, give up on straights.

Yeah, I figured that was too much for an older blade. I read that Dovos are a good blade and was thinking about investing in one of those for a learning blade. I was thinking this blade would he nice as something to have later on, but didn't want to spend money on it if pitting made it unuseable completely

You can get a nice vintage shave ready with no issues here for less than that price. Take your time and wait for the right one to come along.

Just so you know, if you do want a Henckels, there's a restored one in the classifieds at the moment:

Straight Razors - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

The guys are 100% right - that does not sound like a good deal for that razor if it is in need of restoration.

Good luck!

Forgot to say - you can't judge a razor and its utility/value by age alone!

My favourite shavers are all around 150 years old, followed closely by a couple of mid-20th century blades. The only razor that I ever bought new was passed on to a friend last year.

That's not to say that new blades are bad or that you shouldn't buy one. But rather that one shouldn't discount a vintage razor because it's old. This is very much a personal preference thing. Some like theirs to be brand new and shiny. Others like them old with some patina and signs of age. Others couldn't care less.

So the reason we advised against getting the one you mentioned isn't that it was old, but rather that it sounded like it would require considerable work to get it shave-ready. And as you'll see in the classifieds, you can get good razors that are good to go for less than what that seller was asking for that Henckels.