Thread: How this for a first straight razor?

Practice Straight Razor - StraightRazor.com

Please note I know it says practice and it doesn't come honed (hope that means sharpened) but I was wondering if it is sharpened if it can be used as a real straight razor.

Nope, that's a piece of crap steel pretending to be a straight razor.

I'd stay away from any vendor that would sell those razors even if they carry good quality razors too because someone who sells a bad product and says that it's good shows you that he doesn't care about his customers.

Great test-bench
I guess that if you can shave with it you can shave with almost everything

As a first indication of bad quality look at the scales that look thicker (and heavier?) than the blade.
That on itself would unbalance the razor and make it difficult both at honing and at using.

Save your money and get one from the classifieds here. Some are cheap enough but STILL GOOD Razors!

I had a bad experience with that site before I found SRP. I would definitely stay away from that place.

Do yourself a favour and look elsewhere. My one concern in this case is what type of vendor would offer you laser etching for $40 extra on a $25 "practice razor"??

Yea that doesn't really make sense now that I think about it.

I dont even understand why someone would buy a fake razor to practice with, maybe for kid or something?

With all due respect, I would disagree with everyone but Kiel, as he is the only one who has experience with the vendor. Are the scales thicker? Yes, but that would not necessarily make it unbalanced. Some woods are very light, and having thin wooden scales could be unbalanced. Granted, I don't like the look of those scales, they do look cheap, but hey, it is a cheap razor.
Who would put $40 worth of etching? Not me, but it also means I am not paying up front if I don't want etching, as the vendor explained.
Is it a piece of crap brand? I don't know I never shaved with one. I will say there is a very highly respected member who has several piece of crap Gold Dollars that he has worked and he claims they are great shavers.
I am not saying that it wouldn't be better to buy from the classifieds here, but some people just don't have the $ to throw at something they aren't even sure they can use, so $25 is worth the risk to them.

Originally Posted by JMJones

I dont even understand why someone would buy a fake razor to practice with, maybe for kid or something?

It's actually a great way to try a new technique without fear of cutting yourself. If the hold and stroke feels comfortable you can then try it with a real razor and be somewhat confident it won't take a chunk out of your face.