Thread: Beginner vintage SR recommendation.

Can't afford the cost of a new SR ( retired fixed income ) and there are a few vintage razors floating around at various antique shops at fairly decent prices.

Any particular brands I should look for as a first time straight user? I can do the cleanup on a decent razor but would you recommend sending out for professional honing? Who and estimated costs?

Been DE shaving for a couple of months so have all the other requirements to try a straight just need a good razor!

Thanks for any help or advice you can offer!

getting a flea market or ebay wont save you any money because it will still be needing a honing ,, so look in the classifieds there are usually some inexpensive razors there to start out with ,, cheap will just get you cheap and not a very good shave experience, a shave ready razor is what you need , also if money is tight , you still need to get a decent starter strop, I assume you already have a brush and soap? our classifieds are usually a great place to pick up a good vintage that a member who hones will have it ready to start for you . also get into the library to get info on razors to avoid . good luck tc

I try to find a less well known vintage brand from a major razor making local in very fine condition. If purchased from a SR user in shave ready condition, you could save the cost of honing and shipping. It is often less costly to buy a razor in fine condition than to pay to buy then refurbish a worn or abused razor.

American razors such as Torrey or the upstate NY makers are often under valued and priced accordingly. It is only the edge that does the shaving. Getting a shave ready edge and learning how to strop and refresh the edge is key.

Dont forget a strop and don't forget it's easy to slice up a strop when you first get started. Practice with butterknife or, lacking that, a plastic knife from Bojangles.

Very true what @sheajohnw said about finding good quality undervalued razors. There are a lot of them.

look , here, fine, pre owned shavers, just may not look perrty , and shave ready
Whipped Dog Straight Razor Shaving Equipment

+1 for whipped dog.
It won't be a new, beautiful razor, but it will be a cheap way to decide if you like the straight or not and whether you want to save up for something really nice.

+1 for the classifieds. Finding one local only works out cheaper if you pay a couple bucks by the time you buy all you need to clean it up and for honing and postage. Would reccomend the classifieds over whipped dog only as you will pay a little more but will get a razor in good condition without hone wear or other issues that may hinder you in the future.

I have a challenging time finding anything at a deal in the classic category. The ones I do find need some serious restoration and I just don't have the time to do this. Check out the classifieds on SRP as there are members who enjoy restoring old razors. Also the vendors on this site sometimes have some cool razors for sale.

The classifieds on SRP will more than likely be a trusted source for you rather than taking a chance on something questionable.

Enjoy the hunt!

Pabster

As far as vintage brands, anything from Solingen, Germany or Sheffield, England is going to be quality steel. These will be the majority of the razors you find in the wild. You may also come across a few made in the USA. These are also good steel. Besides that, make sure it is in good shape and you can send it to be cleaned up and honed. Or you can look on the classifieds or whipped dog as stated above. All are good options.

There are good deals to found in the classifieds, but I have to say if you look closely at items on the "Bay", there are some deals to be had. I have a Torrey, a Clover, and an Anton Widgen Jr. Othello, that are very nice and other than having them honed, have cost me little. If you go that route, look closely at the pictures and be very picky. To many little flaws add up.

Good Luck and good shaving.