Thread: Boker silver steel 6/8 white scales extra hollow as a beginner razor?

Originally Posted by Ponypox

Ive been curious about ralf aust razors. Are they balanced and do theynhave tight pivot pins? Also, Ive noticed that a lot of pictures show that the scales on the pivot pin side extend more than many razors I see. Is that ever an issue?

If it's a new razor the pivot pins will be fine. The Aust razors are excellent starter blades, especially the round point.

Originally Posted by Ernie1980

If it's a new razor the pivot pins will be fine. The Aust razors are excellent starter blades, especially the round point.

+1 to Ernie's advice. As an aside, if/when you do get a razor with a pivot that's a bit loose, it is a *very* easy thing to fix that often requires nothing more than a spoon and a hard surface.

I was looking at some pictures of a boker king cutter when I realized it doesnt look like it has jimps. Can anyone confirm that?

Originally Posted by Ponypox

I was looking at some pictures of a boker king cutter when I realized it doesnt look like it has jimps. Can anyone confirm that?

I have two King Cutters and they both have jimps. *However* I have no real idea how old they are or if jimping is always present on KCs, so please don't assume they all have them unless someone else can confirm.

Originally Posted by Ponypox

Ive been curious about ralf aust razors. Are they balanced and do theynhave tight pivot pins? Also, Ive noticed that a lot of pictures show that the scales on the pivot pin side extend more than many razors I see. Is that ever an issue?

I haven't had an issue with the pins and they don't look that different than other razors I have or the ones I've rescaled and pinned myself. The razor feels very balanced in the rosewood scales I have on my Ralf Aust and it is certainly tight in the scales. It is a great shaver and one of my favorites - now that I mind the square point and haven't scarred my face in quite a while!

If it gets loose I will just give it a few light taps with a light weight ball peen on an anvil and they'll be good as new.

Adam

I have been using the Ralf Aust 5/8 round with the plastic scales for 3 months and have found the razor to be pretty good as far as tightness. Granted I consider myself a "journeyman" SR shaver in that I finally have got my stropping and shaving angle where it needs to be. But I have noticed that the Aust uses what appears to be a thrust washer on each side of the tang between it and the scales. So I think they will keep good tension on the tang.

You can learn straight shaving with any good quality razor, of any grind, type, size, etc. Are there some that might be more suited to a beginner? Probably. But I'd bet today's shavers are the only ones who had such a bevy of beauties to choose from.
The average guy, years ago, unless he was well off, used whatever was available, and learned with it.
That Boker is a sweet razor. So are Ralph Aust from what I read. Just pick one that excites you, and jump on in. MHO.