Cheap straight razor

Hi all!

I would imganine this question has been asked but I couldnt find it in the search bars.
I am very intregued in staight razors and would like to start shaving with one!

From what I am reading any razor worth buying seems to be around $80-$150, but I am afraid to spend that much because I have never shaved with a straight razor and do not want to spend that much on something that I dont even 100% know if I am going to like.

So my question is; Are there any affordable straight razors that are shave ready (honed) that I can learn on and see if I like for a few months before I go drop $200+ on a nice one? Can anyone give me specific razor names/links? I was ultimately hoping for something around $20-$50. Again, I am not really looking for a forever piece, just something shave ready to let me know if I will like it or not.

Thanks!

There are almost always shave ready $30-$70 razors in the classifieds, I would trust all the sellers here way more than on Ebay

Welcome aboard,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Some of my best shavers cost me less than $30.00,,, vintage rescues from various places. There are always great razors in our "Classified ' section , many in the $40.00 to $50.00 range.

Spend a few hours in our library reading in these links,,, this will get you better educated on what to buy & what to expect.

Straight Razor Place Library:Books/Beginners Guide - Straight Razor Place Library

Welcome to the SRP Forum!

Yes, there are several options for economical razors. Try a search on this site for "Whipped Dog" or go to that site and look for site unseen. However, your best bet will be the SRP classified's as previously mentioned.

Welcomed aboard happy reading and keep us informed.. btw these guys looooove pictures so when you get one post it up.. lol

Welcome. I can't tell you anything that everyone else has not already stated about ringing deals on razors. If there is nothing today keep checking back. The inexpensive ones tend to move fairly quickly.

Welcome to the forum.
Great advise above - many of us have been well served by the SRP classifieds and the WhippedDog site.

Reading the great reference material and seeking out a local mentor is time well spent.
But you can get off to a solid start with a modest budget and get great results.

Smooth shaving...

Before spending anything I would just start talking about it with the "older generation", father, grandfather, uncles, neighbours, you never know. I recently aquired from my barber 3 straight razors in good condition and a new paddle strop for FREE, which included a 6/8 round point Gong razor and an eye witness razor.

Find a razor and strop on newspaper.

There is a $55 one offered by a member in the classifieds that is a twin of one I have. It is a great shaver. Burrell Top Flight 5/8.

Thank you everyone for the great advice! Gave me a starting place, I really appreciate it!
I am looking at all the places that everyone suggested and checking out my options, I am afraid of buying a "Cheap" one thou.
I asked my grandmother and she said that she might have a whole set in her box of vintage things so I am crossing my fingers and will definitely post pictures of whatever I end up with!

Thanks to everyone for being so welcoming!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Haroldg48

There is a $55 one offered by a member in the classifieds that is a twin of one I have. It is a great shaver. Burrell Top Flight 5/8.

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+1 on the Burrell, mine I would rank in current top 5.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Trains1723

Thank you everyone for the great advice! Gave me a starting place, I really appreciate it!
I am looking at all the places that everyone suggested and checking out my options, I am afraid of buying a "Cheap" one thou.
I asked my grandmother and she said that she might have a whole set in her box of vintage things so I am crossing my fingers and will definitely post pictures of whatever I end up with!

Thanks to everyone for being so welcoming!

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If that turns out to be the case, I would still start with something other than a family heirloom, especially if it is a "set" which could mean a 7 day set, or a pair etc. The Burrell topflight currently in the classifieds would be a good learner razor IMHO, and if I had a spare $55, I would have 2 of them. Welcome to SRP.

Definitely get something over the heirlooms.

Heirlooms are sometimes special razors for when you get the hang of shaving, the last thing you want to do is damage it and lose the history. Get your hands on them while you can but check out the classifieds, beyond that try and get in touch with a mentor in your area.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Trains1723

Hi all!

I would imganine this question has been asked but I couldnt find it in the search bars.
I am very intregued in staight razors and would like to start shaving with one!

From what I am reading any razor worth buying seems to be around $80-$150, but I am afraid to spend that much because I have never shaved with a straight razor and do not want to spend that much on something that I dont even 100% know if I am going to like.

So my question is; Are there any affordable straight razors that are shave ready (honed) that I can learn on and see if I like for a few months before I go drop $200+ on a nice one? Can anyone give me specific razor names/links? I was ultimately hoping for something around $20-$50. Again, I am not really looking for a forever piece, just something shave ready to let me know if I will like it or not.

Thanks!

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No such thing as a $20 razor.
$50- $75 will allow you some latitude for resale if you don't like it.

Sure you can find a $20 razor. Not impossible. Scales may be falling off.

Thanks all! I really appreciate all the advice, and I have taken it!
Today I purchased the Burrel Top Flight 5/8" that was on the classifieds.
I am exited to get it in and start learning! Even thou there where pictures on classifieds I will post pictures when I get it!

I also ordered some products from Amazon to go with it...
A perfecto Badger shaving brush,
Leather beaber strop (3"x21.5")
Arko shaving soap stick
and ofcourse Styptic Pencil

go with a shavette, you will be sure to have a sharp blade, and you can learn how to shave first, then learn how to hone later when you get a real blade. I have a Dovo Shavette that I use while I'm on the road and I love it!

edit: oops, I should read ALL the posts, Trains good job jumping right in

Quote:

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Originally Posted by onimaru55

No such thing as a $20 razor.
$50- $75 will allow you some latitude for resale if you don't like it.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by rickboone

Sure you can find a $20 razor. Not impossible. Scales may be falling off.

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$20 for a shave ready razor is probably not going to happen, but finding a decent brand with only a dull edge and slightly oxidized pivot for less than $20 is a fairly easy task. Talking Ebay or in the wild.

No shavette. Different angles. Different pressure, etc. Not any fun.

Wish you'd of posted here about strop and brush... I find junk leather can do more harm than good. If you're trying to save cash use newspaper.

http://youtu.be/NUuKx7p5Bcg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TwistedOak

$20 for a shave ready razor is probably not going to happen, but finding a decent brand with only a dull edge and slightly oxidized pivot for less than $20 is a fairly easy task. Talking Ebay or in the wild.

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Add restoration/honing fees & he may not have got as good a deal as he has already.

Oh really? Newspaper?
I will try that for sure. Unfortunately the stop already shipped...
How do I know if it is good leather or bad leather? (Am I allowed to post links on the form?)

You can post links as long as your asking for advice and not promoting a product. You cannot post a link and ask if the price is to high or to low. Example something on Ebay for sale.

In that case, this is the strop that I purchased.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I dont know if it is any good or not thou. Should I use it? Or return in and just use newspaper until I can afford a higher quality strop?

Looks ok, I would try it out. Has good reviews.

UPDATE: My Burrell Top Flight has arrived, been disinfected and I had my first shave with it today.
I somewhat cheated, I had to use shaving cream from a can due to inability to create a lather with Arko... Will work on that..

I went all in, shaved my cheeks and sideburns on the right and left. Then I cheated again and used a disposible razor to knock off some longer hairs on my neck (a week or two worth of beard) and came back with the straight for a closer shave all over.

My face feels very smooth WTG but I did not shave XTG or ATG because it seemed a little pully and akward so I didnt want to push it too much on the first shave. So when I feel my face I can feel extreme smoothness WTG but a big of stubble ATG... Hopefully this is normal.
Thanks again for everyones advice!

That is great news. Using a cart, DE or disposable while you learn is not cheating IMHO, and a wise move. If you have the Arko stick, try face lathering, works best that way.

What you have done is the best way to go. Doing what you are comfortable with and do the rest the old way and work up to doing more and more with the straight. Good luck with your lathers and shaves