Noob with questions

Hey all! I'm brand new to the site but have been lurking around for the past few months. Trying to get as much information as I can.

A couple quick questions I really couldn't get a good answer on though.....

- as a beginner is it better to buy vintage or new? I've read that the older vintage straights were made of a better quality steel? Bit to find a decent one and then to find a honemeister(sp?) close by can be hard

- my beard grows in thick and hard like a wire brush. Because of this what to I want? A full/half/quarter hollow or a full wedge?

- I've been looking at the following razors to get as my first :
genco red cross
wade and butcher bow
dovo best quality
boker king cutter
boker edelvise(sp?)

with those 5 razors what should I be leaning towards? I will admit that even though the new razors are nice they don't have the same appeal as the old ones.

Thanks!

Those razors are all good options. I would personally lean towards the genco or W&B.

I don't think that there really is so much a difference in vintage versus new but as I saw someone write, "if it is a razor now and was a razor 100 years ago there is a reason its still a razor". Some of the companies like TI that are still making razor have recently had quality control issues and Dovo is cutting models from its lineup I believe I read somewhere.

The steel is fine in newer razors, in fact its probably better as we have a better understanding and ability to control some of the tiniest details than what was possible back then. But back in the day you had a lot of different cutlers and craftsmen making the same thing and all competing against each other so there was a lot more ingenuity back then compared to today.

I also would still lean towards vintage because you can get a great quality razor for much cheaper than you could of a new one. I would just make sure you buy from a reputable person who will make sure it is shave ready.

Also I don't think grind will really make a difference. Its the edge cutting the hair not the hollow or the lack there off. It might feel like a wedge cuts easier but thats just the weight carrying it through the whiskers.

Welcome to the forum.

Buying a vintage razor can be cheaper than buying new. Take a look at the classifieds here on the forum. I only have one new production razor and it shaves as well as my vintage ones so I don't think there is a difference in the quality of the steel. If you buy new stick with the known good brands like Dovo, TI, Boker and Revisor and the steel should be good. No matter if you buy new or vintage make sure it comes shave ready and either way you will need to send them out for honing eventually.

I don't believe beard type matters as to the grind of the razor. A well honed razor should shave you just fine no matter the grind. The different grinds all feel slightly different on the face and which you like is all personal preference.

I have decent selection of vintage razors in my rotation and the truth be told all are good shavers if I can put a good edge on them. I would look for a vintage razor that you like the looks of, is shave ready, has a round point and is 5/8 to 6/8 in size. Good luck.

Bob

The key will be knowing that you're starting with a good edge. I bought my first (and second, and third) razors from SRD because I knew they were going to come truly shave ready. This will let you practice your stropping which, believe me, is a HUGE factor. Bad stropping on a great blade will result in bad shaves. I've also bought a few used razors now through @cudarunner, as I know he can hone them before shipping them to me. Until you have your stropping down, the quality of the razor itself will be somewhat secondary. Also, both @cudarunner and @razorfeld have lent me a few razors to try out. That taught me a LOT!! I've found that I personally prefer certain razor types over others. So, again, the quality of the razor might be secondary to your particular tastes.

All of those makers should be fine , I have a beard similar to yours and I find a heavier blade as in weight, helps me plow through the Brillo pad that is my face . Good luck

Two thing come to mind. One has been mentioned, shave ready, the other is point type. There are some very sharp spike points out there and they should be avoided or, have the tip muted by the person you are buying from. It is simple for them to do and can be back to a spike in the next sharpening if that is what you choose to do. If you look at shave ready razors $50 to $100 is a giant range of really nice vintage razors. The classifieds here is a good spot for sure.

I would recommend a shave-ready vintage razor. Find you one that you find aesthetically pleasing and enjoy the ride.

Well I think it's decided then. I really enjoy the 2 vintage razors I mentioned before. I have my eye on a Red Cross local to me and a bow on eBay. The only thing being neither are shave ready. I emailed a well known knife maker in Nova Scotia who said they can, and have honed straights.

Ike, my advice is to get your razor honed by someone who actually shaves with a straight razor and can be vouched for by other straight razor enthusiasts. If your knife maker in NS meets that criteria, then go for it. Otherwise, you are taking a gamble, as knife sharpening and razor sharpening are two different animals.

I will pm you the contact details of a fellow in Nova Scotia who would be more than happy to help you.

That would be beyond awesome. Thanks Sooo much

Agree with Badgister send it for a pro honing. Why start without knowing that it is truly shave ready. Good luck

I have heard a few horror stories about knife sharpeners stuffing up a razor, the job is a lot more subtle on a razor than on a knife.

I was watching a guy sharpen a sushi knife and he went to 8K but still was grinding at the edge. Before I started sharpening my own razor it would have looked like he was being delicate. I could not believe the way he plonked the knives down after he was finished and the hones were dished to buggery (I almost asked him if he wanted me to lap them for him).