Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 13
Like Tree4Likes

Thread: Beginner's Decisions!!

  1. #1
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Location
    Florida
    Posts
    7
    Thanked: 0

    Default Beginner's Decisions!!

     
    [TR]
    [TD="class: panelsurround"][/TD]
    [/TR]
    I am going to start a new thread and just cut to the chase.

    I am new to straight razor shaving and need advice on razors.


    I have after much searching, reading, and study narrowed my choice of razors based on what is available to the following:


    SRD's Ralf Aust 5/8" Black Straight Razor & Strop Set


    or one of the following 3 razors in classified


    Germania Cutlery Works with custom scales


    Frederick Reynolds 5/8 with custom scales


    Joseph Allen&sons NON XLL Sheffield 6/8


    I like SRD's combination set as it gives me a break on the strop.


    I like the FR but am afraid of the smile.


    I like the JA but am concerned about the quality of the steel.


    Being a total novice my concerns are probably absurd to the experienced.


    Anyone willing to help me make a decision?


    Terry

  2. #2
    Senior Member blabbermouth
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Pompano Beach, FL
    Posts
    4,014
    Thanked: 631

    Default

    I would go with the Ralf Aust. Excellent razor.

  3. The Following User Says Thank You to bouschie For This Useful Post:

    TJinFL (12-18-2015)

  4. #3
    Moderator Razorfeld's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Forest Grove, Oregon
    Posts
    5,152
    Thanked: 1226

    Default

    No need to be concerned about Sheffield steel. The FR is also Sheffield. As to a smile, many shavers like a smile since they feel it helps them get in places where a non smiler has a little difficulty. The only concern to have with a smiler is in honing it properly. But then, that is an area not to even be thought of till you have a good basic shaving pattern down, know your beard pattern, can build good lather and strop without destroying the edge. Maybe like 10 months to a year down the road and then to learn how to refresh the edge before learning how to completely hone from bevel up.

    I do second the Ralf Aust set. Razor comes honed, ready for use out of the box, honed by Lynn.
    "The sharpening stones from time to time provide officers with gasoline."

  5. #4
    Truth is weirder than any fiction.. Grazor's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    Land of the long white cloud
    Posts
    2,946
    Thanked: 580

    Default

    Welcome to SRP, haven't heard one bad thing about the RA. As for the smile, if anything makes it easier to shave.
    Into this house we're born, into this world we're thrown ~ Jim Morrison

  6. #5
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Posts
    322
    Thanked: 60

    Default

    Ralf Aust from SRD hands down.

  7. #6
    Member Maxx's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2015
    Location
    Englishtown, NJ 07726
    Posts
    78
    Thanked: 8

    Default

    I got a 6/8ths RA from SRD with a Spanish point as my first razor.
    A - I like the weight of a 6/8ths and don't find it hard to manuever.

    B- the Spanish point is way better than a spike and isn't all the way round which I liked alot.

    Do make sure you dry it really well after use though because I got a few specs on it pretty easily, but a little maas polish helped that. Enjoy!
    Baby Butt Smooth

  8. #7
    Senior Member blabbermouth tcrideshd's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    Oakland Tn
    Posts
    6,586
    Thanked: 1894

    Default

    Their all good choices, as a beginner all you need is a good shave ready razor. The classifieds are a safe bet. Or buy new, but the razor needs to be honed by someone who uses them, that way you can learn how to shave , now all you have to do is pick, just stay away from the do not buy list and other RSO,s out there. Tc
    Walterbowens likes this.
    “ I,m getting the impression that everyone thinks I have TIME to fix their bikes”

  9. #8
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Location
    Florida
    Posts
    7
    Thanked: 0

    Default

    I just read a thread which may have resurrected my dwindling desire to become a straight razor shaver - Pasted Strops "The Experiment". It seems maintaining a razor may not be nearly so overwhelming as many would make it.

  10. #9
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    sheffield
    Posts
    554
    Thanked: 55

    Default

    JA 6/8 is my vote. Sheffield steel is high quality, I find the slightly larger blades easier to strop to start with. Also find them easier to shave with. Personally started with two Bengall 6/8s I found in an antique shop. Have given them both to two very happy beginners. (Nicest razors have found yet).
    "Ignorance is preferable to error, and he is less remote from the truth who believes nothing than he who believes what is wrong."-Thomas Jefferson (Notes on Virginia, 1782)

  11. #10
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Location
    Netherlands
    Posts
    27
    Thanked: 4

    Default

    On top of all that you might want to get a razor from Whipped Dog Straight Razor Shaving Equipment to practice with. Stropping and later on honing can ruin a razors edge really quickly when done wrong, for stropping you can also take any dull knife (butter knife) to practise. Let us know what you decide, they are all good choices.

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •