Hi guys. I have seen some people on YouTube that love this razor and so I am sort of interested in maybe getting it. I was reading on thesuperiorshave about the boker 6/8 extra hollow silver steel and it actually sounds like it's an aggressive razor for advanced users because it is a "stiff extra hollow grind that needs very good prep and technique". Do any of you guys own it and what are your thoughts about getting it as a first razor? Thanks.
You are in Las Vegas. Maximilian is in Las Vegas. He is a restorer of straight razors, among other things. It would behoove you to contact him and have a face-to-face session with him on all things straight razors. Might even have a chance to try out a few razors to see for yourself what will or won't work. Read Rule 6 of March Beginner's Tips (and the other 12 wouldn't hurt either.) Then you will have an educated base for your decision.
Thank you for your help. Unfortunately he lives in an area where I currently do not have easy access to. I will look into the March tip. :)
I'd say all straight razors are equally "aggressive" if honed to equal sharpness. The term "aggressive" is usually applied to DE/SE razors and relates to the amount of blade exposure and blade gap between the blade and safety bar. With a straight razor the entire blade is exposed and there is no safety bar so the term really dose not apply.
An extra hollow ground straight razor because of it's extra thin grind has about the most flexible blade of any of the razor grinds. A near wedge grind would have very little flexibility because less metal is removed in the grinding process.
Razorfeld has given you the best advice for a beginner and that is to get some one on one time with a mentor in your area.
Bob
As the others have said but you should also let your first be something that interest you (not necessarily hype). Either way its going to be a learning experience :), enjoy the ride!
:confused::shrug:Last I heard Max wasn't behind bars so I,m a little lost on that one?
Tc
I talked to him on the phone about going directly to where he was to drop my razor off. I don't want to go to details about where he lives but it is somewhere where my current means of transportation would end and I would have to do a lot of walking. I would have to take a good amount of time off of my day and my knees are in no condition for the amount of walking I would have to do.
Boker are fantastic shavers. However, for a first, maybe try a King Cutter in 5/8ths with a round tip. Other first shavers are available obviously. I wouldn't advise spending too much in case after trying it, you decide it's not for you. Good luck.
That would be a fine razor beginner or otherwise. I would second the suggestion to go with a round tip - my Ralf Aust square tip left with some nice cuts when I first started with it. You have to mind where that square pint is all the time or it will let you know. Like second nature now but it was a rough couple of weeks and many four letter words...
Adam
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ponypox
+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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ernie1980
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ponypox
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!Quote:
Originally Posted by Ponypox
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.