Thread: Help Me Choose a Straight

From the new, mainstream manufacturers, I had difficulty finding anything other than Thiers Issard:
Thiers-Issard Special C. Straight Razor 6/8 Ebony SQ Point
Thiers-Issard 5/8 Le Grelot Style Straight Razor Ivory

Not a wedge but instead a half hollow.

For $200 I'd be inclined to buy a chunky vintage wedge or near wedge and send it out to be pro-honed - $200 should give you plenty of choice.

Originally Posted by Christel

For $200 I'd be inclined to buy a chunky vintage wedge or near wedge and send it out to be pro-honed - $200 should give you plenty of choice.

I agree, the description suggests an old Sheffield of some sort, but for the straight edge. Why ruin a razor by giving it a straight edge? I guess it would make for easier honing. For $200 you could get a very nice one.

Originally Posted by Hart

I agree, the description suggests an old Sheffield of some sort, but for the straight edge. Why ruin a razor by giving it a straight edge? I guess it would make for easier honing. For $200 you could get a very nice one.

Considering that honing it will be trusted to an expert and therefore wouldn't be the OP's problem, a huge Sheffield blade with a smile like the Cheshire cat would be a very nice proposition (I exaggerate but I wouldn't exclude smiling blades in this circumstance)

With this said, it wouldn't be new, stainless steel or straight - but it would be bad ass and like the reaper's scythe to any facial hair that has the gall to stand against it.

Originally Posted by Christel

Considering that honing it will be trusted to an expert and therefore wouldn't be the OP's problem, a huge Sheffield blade with a smile like the Cheshire cat would be a very nice proposition (I exaggerate but I wouldn't exclude smiling blades in this circumstance)

With this said, it wouldn't be new, stainless steel or straight - but it would be bad ass and like the reaper's scythe to any facial hair that has the gall to stand against it.

Got one of those a few weeks back, was lucky, went for under $200.00, it's around 8/8, they seldom come up, but it's a nice wedge with a smiling blade, haven't decided what to do with it, I've just cleaned it up, but I agree with what you said, this is the type of blade that is a keeper in my opinion, love those smiles! Here' a pic from the auction.

A Dovo #41 is stainless and available new. While not wedges, stainless blades are often a bit stiffer than similar grind carbon steel razors.

Although not new, the Friodur razors and Hess Hair Milk Lab stainless razors are well regarded and can often be acquired in very good condition for less than $ 200. I have several Friodurs and find them to be fine shavers and easy to hone, strop, and maintain.

While maintaining a carbon steel razor is not difficult (i have, use, and enjoy several), I like the peace of mind from not having to be concerned whether I may have gotten water in the pivot between my scales or may not have checked and wiped stored razors with an oily cloth often enough.

Shavereadyness depends on what was last done with the razor edge. It should be assumed that any new razor will not be shave ready as it came from the factory and will 1st need honing by a pro or experienced amateur before use. A used razor acquired from an experienced amateur might be shave ready. Razors acquired from a source that does not shave with straight razors will probably not be shave ready and may even need some restoration.

Shavereadyness lasts for one shave, the edge must be rejuvenated by proper stropping after each shave. Inept stropping (we have all been there as noobies) will not sharpen and can even dull the edge. The edge will also need to be refreshed on a finishing hone or pasted strop periodically when the daily unpasted strop starts loosing effectiveness. Learning how to strop well and refresh an edge is critically important because it is unfeasible to send the razor out for these operations.

HTH

Under 15$. Shave ready. Can't go wrong.

Originally Posted by Phrank

Got one of those a few weeks back, was lucky, went for under $200.00, it's around 8/8, they seldom come up, but it's a nice wedge with a smiling blade, haven't decided what to do with it, I've just cleaned it up, but I agree with what you said, this is the type of blade that is a keeper in my opinion, love those smiles! Here' a pic from the auction.

Ohhhh... That's nice!

I have a Celebrated Hollow by W&B and love it to bit - I'll complement it with a Barber's Use wedge, someday.

The OP would struggle to find a blade that is stiffer or had more weight than that!

Originally Posted by Christel

Ohhhh... That's nice!

I have a Celebrated Hollow by W&B and love it to bit - I'll complement it with a Barber's Use wedge, someday.

The OP would struggle to find a blade that is stiffer or had more weight than that!

Yes, the Celebrated Hollow grinds are nice! The W&B's are my blade of choice, and have collected quite a few over the last year and change. My favorites in these are the 9/8 Celebrated, Hollow Ground Razor, For Barbers Use. I've got a few of these, but only one spike point / square tip version, they are very hard to find. I was lucky, in my initial searching for the perfect blade, I tried various brands and grinds, then I got my first W&B 9/8, and it was love at first shave....some chase the Ducks, others the Filarmonica's or the customs, I'm grateful to have found my niche....seems when you find a particular blade and grind you like, it focus's the RAD LOL, and in some way's limit's it, because there are only so many you can find!!

Cheers!

Originally Posted by Phrank

Got one of those a few weeks back, was lucky, went for under $200.00, it's around 8/8, they seldom come up, but it's a nice wedge with a smiling blade, haven't decided what to do with it, I've just cleaned it up, but I agree with what you said, this is the type of blade that is a keeper in my opinion, love those smiles! Here' a pic from the auction.

Exactly what I was thinking

If I had to use one razor for the rest of my life it would be this:



I use it as is, gnarly old scales and beautiful patina but it's the smooth easy shave that makes me love it. The 9/8ths blade is not a wedge, but more of a quarter or half hollow that comes off a spine 1/3rd of an inch thick so there really isn't any comparison to a modern hollow ground.