Thread: Total beginner razor selection - any insight would be appreciated!

Hi,

Im reasonably new as well, and started with the sight unseen razor from Larry. Shaved well. Since then I have bought a new custom which is a great shaver, and a few old vintage razors which are still in transit so haven't tested them yet. Even though I have since bought better gear, I dont regret the razor from larry. I will use it to try honing the first time, and will be one comfortable letting my friends shave with, in case they drop it. Wouldn't want them to do that to an expensive blade, then there's the uncomfortable interaction where you want them to replace it, but wouldnt ask, and would feel guilty if they did replace it.

Also, Im sure you will catch RAD, so its nice to have different blades to find your preference.

Originally Posted by Lakebound

Jake,

I myself just started using the straight razor last week. Many here will tell you that you should purchase a sight unseen razor from Whipped Dog or from another reputable member here on the market place threads to ensure that you get a shave ready razor. I would avoid Ebay even for a new razor because these are almost never "shave ready". Lynn Abrams at SRD will ensure that your new razor is shave ready for you and he has numerous videos on his YouTube channel that you should watch over and over as well.

Best of luck to you,

Frank

Thanks Frank! Solid advice here. Unfortunately most models at SRD, even in the $150 price range, are out of stock. Maybe I just need some patience

Originally Posted by gugi

A 5/8 or 6/8 razor is much preferable to a 4/8. With a new razor you'll pay premium for the 'new' which is gone the moment you place your order. If you ask me better put any premium towards the services of a well qualified honemeister.

As far as whipped dog cheapos, from the examples I've seen, to me they are disposable straight razors which were heavily abused and are at the end of their life. Sure, you could probably use many of them throughout your lifetime as long as you do not inflict any additional abuse, but that much of a razor abuse to start with is not my cup of tea.

Of course if you have a set budget you have a set budget and may be most razors simply won't fit in it. But the slight premium for non-abused razor from the classifieds compared to the whipped dog is well worth in my opinion and yes just I looked and there are several within your budget.

My best advise is to reevaluate your priorities - your budget is more than enough to get a high quality vintage razor in great condition and well honed, and I think what's preventing you is the ideas of 'interesting' and 'new' which are more of a vanity. Nothing wrong with those as long as you are wiling to pay the respective premiums, but you don't seem to want that.

Lots of great advice here Gugi, and I really appreciate it. I hope I didn't irritate you when I mentioned the looks of the blade as important. One thing that I love about straight razor shaving in general is the combination of utility and aesthetics. It's like a good sports car- performance and looks. I currently despise shaving so vehemently, yet I must do so for my current job. I'm looking forward to making shaving an enjoyable ritual and hobby. That being said, it would be nice to have attractive equipment. However, and you'r right, starting out I could get a perfectly usable vintage blade in the classifieds here. I'll definitely keep my eye on them.

One challenge is that I do not exactly know who to trust in the classifieds. Plus, many of them are overseas. After reading about a few bad experiences in this forum, I'm just a tad hesitant to grab a blade that may not have been honed properly, etc.

Originally Posted by K37

Personally, if I had to get only one and start over, I'd get a 6/8, I'd get a full hollow like you suggested and it'd be a new Ralf Aust round point from SRD for the money, quality and shave readiness. I could use that razor for the rest of my life with no issues. IMO, when you first start shaving with a straight razor you want to eliminate all the variables you possibly can so you can improve your technique. For me, a full hollow increases feedback which improves my light-handedness, the 6/8 size allows me to consistently use a shallow angle, the round point prevents me from nicking my ears at 5:00 in the morning every morning, the purchase from SRD eliminates the shave readiness and finally, Ralf Aust razors have been very good quality for me and hone up very well.

If you know where to get a Ralf Aust blade, let me know please! They're currently out of stock at SRD.

Originally Posted by Phrank

All great advice from the above, especially regarding the Classifieds here. I would take vintage any day of the week, and the blades you get here are and can be fantastic. One of the nicest and best shavers I purchased from the Classifieds for $40.00. I simply sent it to the person here in Toronto to hone it a give it a once over (he does that anyway), and honing (I prefer his honing) and ended up with one of the nicest razors and shavers in my collection, and I've got several new production blades.

How's this, a beautiful old vintage French frameback Thiers-Issard, brought to you by the Classifieds (I have two other blades as well from the Classifieds):

Beautiful blade! Good find. Most are pointing me toward the classifieds here, so I'll check those daily and then probably solicit a bit more advice when I find one that fits within my budget that ships from the US. Thank you so much everyone! You've been immensely helpful.

Originally Posted by grizwaldbear

If you know where to get a Ralf Aust blade, let me know please! They're currently out of stock at SRD.

I don't and would recommend SRD, so I believe patience and frequently checking their sight is the only course of action but well worth it.

Check out Vintage Blades: Straight Razor : Double Edge Razor : Shaving Products Supplies : Merkur Safety Razor : Badger Shaving Brush : Men's Grooming Products : VintageBladesllc.com. They sell shave ready, honed razors and are great to work with. You'll see them as an advertiser around the edge of these pages sometimes.

I like buying things from thesuperiorshave.com they have good prices and have a few razors in your price range. I'm prone to agree with gugi about whipped dog blades. While they get great reviews they are very beat up and you may want a good vintage or new blade especially if it is a "gift" to yourself I have a dovo and a ralf aust and love both, so if you have the patience to wait around for new stock to show up I would wait. The dovo is the palisander from thesuperiorshave, which is in stock now, and I really like how it looks/shaves. I got it at a lot lower price though, it looks like they won't be getting any more in and raised prices. The ralf aust is also a great shaver I like it a lot as well. They also have some dovo "best quality" blades in stock for about $80 bucks

Good luck finding the one you like! The first is always the hardest one to find. After that, you'll see a new razor you want every other day :-D

Sam

One more vote for the classifieds here. I have a new blade from SRD, a few sight unseen deals from whipped dog, and several ebay/antique store purchases I've done a bit of work to. Whipped dog will get you a blade that functions and I wouldn't hesitate to purchase here again, but I'd keep my eyes out on the classifieds here. You get more choice in the matter and can keep an eye out for a nice looking razor without a ton and a half of hone wear, and you can do it without spending too much more.