Thread: Any experienced shavers in Istanbul, Turkey?

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone

I've noticed each and every barber in Istanbul has a straight razor and I'm sure I could learn a lot about technique from them, friendly as they are I'm sure they would gladly help. However they all use shavettes, I've never seen one use a fixed blade (I've been living in Turkey for close to five years now) Therefore I don't think they could help me out much with the stropping and especially honing of the blade.

I took my straight razor to a barber the other day and his eyes grew big when he saw it, he had never used one like this and even the owner (around 60 years old I guess) said it was an antique artform. He recommended I go to a blade salesman to get it sharpened. When I got there he showed me how to hone it on my stone, leading with the spine(!) I quickly said I got the idea and left

Originally Posted by Stefan271184

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone

I've noticed each and every barber in Istanbul has a straight razor and I'm sure I could learn a lot about technique from them, friendly as they are I'm sure they would gladly help. However they all use shavettes, I've never seen one use a fixed blade (I've been living in Turkey for close to five years now) Therefore I don't think they could help me out much with the stropping and especially honing of the blade.

I took my straight razor to a barber the other day and his eyes grew big when he saw it, he had never used one like this and even the owner (around 60 years old I guess) said it was an antique artform. He recommended I go to a blade salesman to get it sharpened. When I got there he showed me how to hone it on my stone, leading with the spine(!) I quickly said I got the idea and left

Hmm...well I guess I could offer this advice only then. Learn as much as you can from here(check out the SRP WIKI) and all of us and as far as getting your razor shave ready,send it to one of our honemeisters here. I know it might be a bit pricey S&H wise but,it might have to do till you can find someone there. I wish I could give better advice but,that's all I got. We're not a bad bunch to hang with though.Hope this helps you though

Oh and every thread is better with some pics isn't it?

I would love to hear your thoughts on what I've actually got here. The package says "Solingen S525" and I can vagely see "Belgium" written on the yellow side of the hone. A quick search online didn't bring many results..

ps. I like the idea of bringing a turkish barber's knowledge to the forum. If I find a good one I'll definitely give that a try!

Originally Posted by Stefan271184

Oh and every thread is better with some pics isn't it?

I would love to hear your thoughts on what I've actually got here. The package says "Solingen S525" and I can vagely see "Belgium" written on the yellow side of the hone. A quick search online didn't bring many results..

ps. I like the idea of bringing a turkish barber's knowledge to the forum. If I find a good one I'll definitely give that a try!

Not my expertise...nice looking though. I'm sure someone her will eventually give you some good feedback on your razor. Good luck.

Originally Posted by Nightblade

Not my expertise...nice looking though. I'm sure someone her will eventually give you some good feedback on your razor. Good luck.

Thanks for the help so far Nightblade!

Originally Posted by Stefan271184

Thanks for the help so far Nightblade!

My pleasure...have a good night.

That is a very nice looking Ern a very good quality blade,
thanks for sharing the pictures of it

C. FRIEDR. ERN & CO.
Solingen, Germany
ca. 1873-present

Originally Posted by pfries

That is a very nice looking Ern a very good quality blade,
thanks for sharing the pictures of it

C. FRIEDR. ERN & CO.
Solingen, Germany
ca. 1873-present

Thanks for the response pfries. Have you ever owned an Ern?

I have had a couple Crown and Sword razors they were made by Ern,
Quality right up there with a vintage Böker in my opinion.
It will serve you well if you treat it right.

Originally Posted by pfries

I have had a couple Crown and Sword razors they were made by Ern,
Quality right up there with a vintage Böker in my opinion.
It will serve you well if you treat it right.

Wow that sounds good, I don't know the vintage brand you mention but I'm guessing it's a quality one

I tried some honing myself so I hope I didn't screw the razor up. I've found some shavers in Istanbul now though so I hope to get some face to face advice soon. Will keep you gentlemen posted