Help Me Choose a Straight

Hi guys, I picked up three straight razors a few months ago and have been trying them out since. I the received the razors via trades, 2 of the razors are vintage while 1 is a Gold Dollar. I also have the poor man strop kit from Larry at Whipped Dog.

I've been enjoying it and haven't found it too difficult although I still have to clean up some spots with my DE after a single WTG pass. I find the Gold Dollar to be my favorite of the three razors I've acquired. One of the vintages, a Sheffield is smaller (less than 5/8 for sure and closer to a full hollow and quite flexible) and the other is a Palmer that is about 5/8 but a square point which I don't enjoy as much as the round point.

All that said, I think I'm ready to purchase a straight that I can use daily for a long time. Things I've learned over the past few months are that I enjoy something closer to a wedge than full hollow, a round point, a straight edge, and a stiffer blade as opposed to flexible.

I'm thinking I should purchase brand new and not vintage? Is stain-less steel worth the extra money? I'll also need the razor to arrive completely shave ready.

So, in summary I'd like:

• Closer to wedge than full hollow
• At least 5/8
• Round point
• Straight edge
• Stiffer blade as opposed to flexible
• Brand new (I think?)
• Stain-less steel (I think?)
• Completely shave ready
• Not much over $200

What razor would you recommend and where can I purchase it? I'm located in Ottawa, Canada if that makes any difference. I'd love to see the razor in person but chances of that are slim in my research.

Strop

Would this be a good strop for me to upgrade to from the poor man strop, I think I prefer the solid surface as I've tried my hanging strop on a wood board and feel more comfortable using it that way, also would prefer the 3".

http://classicedge.ca/index.php?rout...rice&order=ASC

Thanks, I apologize for so many questions!

Thiers Issard Full Hollow is what I started with. My first strop was a Dovo. I still have them. My vintage Str8s I use on special occasions.

Just a question, why do you think you can't you use your Gold Dollar on a daily basis for a very long time.

You really don't have many options with 'brand new'. The Dovo pearlex no. 41 should be under $200, they may even offer it with other scales these days. That blade is 5/8.
They used to make the 'Rennaisance' which is shoulderless and 6/8, but last I saw it, it was produced with wooden scales and was more than $200.
Apparently Böker makes stainless steel razor as well, it's 5/8 and a little over $200 Professionally Sharpened Boker Stainless Steel Olivewood 5/8 - $210.95 :

Stainless steel is more resistant to 'staining', I don't know if it is worth to you. My stainless steel razors are Dovos, Friodurs, Hess (those are vintage), Livis, and may be I am forgetting something, but it's got to be either 'vintage' (ah yes I remember stainless TI) or 'custom', so outside of your parameters.

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Originally Posted by gugi

Just a question, why do you think you can't you use your Gold Dollar on a daily basis for a very long time.

You really don't have many options with 'brand new'. The Dovo pearlex no. 41 should be under $200, they may even offer it with other scales these days. That blade is 5/8.
They used to make the 'Rennaisance' which is shoulderless and 6/8, but last I saw it, it was produced with wooden scales and was more than $200.
Apparently Böker makes stainless steel razor as well, it's 5/8 and a little over $200 Professionally Sharpened Boker Stainless Steel Olivewood 5/8 - $210.95 :

Stainless steel is more resistant to 'staining', I don't know if it is worth to you. My stainless steel razors are Dovos, Friodurs, Hess (those are vintage), Livis, and may be I am forgetting something, but it's got to be either 'vintage' (ah yes I remember stainless TI) or 'custom', so outside of your parameters.

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I'm not sure the GD I have was every given a proper edge. It shaves ok but seems to be lacking and I figure a brand new razor shave ready would let me know what a proper shave ready blade feels like to shave with.

Are you saying no brand new razor around the $200 price point is worth it and I'd be better off getting a properly honed Gold Dollar? There are lots of Dovo's. Thiers-Issard, and Boker's on the classicedge.ca site at around $200 or under.

No, I didn't say anything like this, I just pointed out that you have very few options with your restrictions of 'new' and 'stainless'.

You sounded content with the Gold Dollar too, it was your favorite among three different razors and the jump from a $2 razor to a $200 is pretty big.


I personally don't care at all for Gold Dollar razors in any of their incarnations, or brandings, but I keep hearing people swear by them. Any razor, including these should be able to serve many lifetimes, otherwise I don't think 'razor' is a proper word to use for it.

If you are not happy with your razor you could get a brand new properly honed one and that would eliminate a lot of variables. You could also get a good vintage properly honed one to the same result. All I am saying is that if your razors are not of high quality, poorly honed, or badly abused, a $200 new stainless steel razor is only one of the options that would address your problem.
I'd say it may be helpful if you go back few steps and reassess the issues.

Mission Impossible. The desire for something nearer to a wedge than full hollow already eliminates almost all modern production razors, and leaves you looking at antiques or custom razors. You'll probably have to prioritize your list and decide which items you care about most. Enjoy the search though, it is rather fun. In your neck of the woods, and a good site, check out classicedge.ca

Another option would be to send your Sheffieid 5/8 full hollow out to be pro honed. Pretty much what I learnt to shave with and a lot more forgiving than a wedge. I don't think I have ever seen a stainless wedge, not even a custom.

I thought Joe Chandler used stainless steel and his grinds are quite wedgy (at least mine). Haven't seen razors from him lately though.

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Originally Posted by royal52

...

• Closer to wedge than full hollow
• At least 5/8
• Round point
• Straight edge
• Stiffer blade as opposed to flexible
• Brand new (I think?)
• Stain-less steel (I think?)
• Completely shave ready
• Not much over $200

...

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There isn't any razor matching all your requirements, the closest are the Boker mentioned above, but it's not very stiff, nor full hollow.
Another close choice is a Thiers Issard, though full hollow they have the stiffest blade but not stainless.

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Originally Posted by gugi

I thought Joe Chandler used stainless steel and his grinds are quite wedgy (at least mine). Haven't seen razors from him lately though.

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Wow, gugi that sure is a beauty, I stand corrected.

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.

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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.

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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? :rofl2: I guess it would make for easier honing. For $200 you could get a very nice one.

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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? :rofl2: I guess it would make for easier honing. For $200 you could get a very nice one.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Attachment 165134

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.Attachment 165137

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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.

Attachment 165134

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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!

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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!

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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!

Quote:

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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.

Attachment 165134

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Exactly what I was thinking :D

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

Attachment 165188

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. :D

Royal52, were/are any of your current blades professionally honed? I also think getting one (perhaps a round point) professionally honed for comparison. It my change your current preferences. But then again, ain't nothin' wrong with gettin' a new blade. Enjoy.

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Originally Posted by Hart

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

Attachment 165188

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. :D

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Yup - that's the one! I agree if there could be only one, that would be it...just put a spike point on mine.

I have to agree with Gugi and recommend the Friodur. Mine pretty much fits the bill listed.

Yes, forgot about Friodurs, mine is a square point but otherwise fits all parameters:

Attachment 165264

Half hollow and bit me with the point first shave with it, first pass, first stroke, down the cheek, the point touched where my ear starts. Every time I see a 20th century round point I automatically think full hollow. This one was flawless with a decorated spine but for extra hone wear at the toe and was well under $200.

Thanks for all of the feed back gents. I think I've learned a few things, still not 100% sure what I'm going to do though! ahahah.

Any one have experience with a Hart Steel? It's above my $200 price point I mentioned but I've read good things and it seems to meet a lot of the characteristics I like.

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Originally Posted by royal52

Thanks for all of the feed back gents. I think I've learned a few things, still not 100% sure what I'm going to do though! ahahah.

Any one have experience with a Hart Steel? It's above my $200 price point I mentioned but I've read good things and it seems to meet a lot of the characteristics I like.

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That was my first thought but the price, closer to $300 than $200, would put it out of range. If you like the simple, spartan style ( as I do ) it might be just what you're looking for. I think it over priced but still a good razor, mine needed honing before I could use it and they do have round points and you can get them with your choice from a variety of scale materials. Hart Steel 5/8 Straight Razor, Satin Finish, Round Point

The hart razors are not stainless as well, but at this point you may have given up on it since that is the most restrictive of your criteria.