Thread: Reputable sites for buying straight razors

Originally Posted by Nannaki

I should however mention that the main purpose for the razor will be for touching up and grooming. After a bit more research I was wondering if 4/8'' would be a better choice for that. I fell in love with Thiers Issard's Le Petit de Francais (Black scales). Having a hard time finding one in stock someplace though.

If you are using to touch up like around the ears and neck line I would look to a sub 5/8 and one with a point like a square point for single hair picking if it came into need. That said the German maker Erbe makes some sub 5/8 razors that look great but I have never used one however.

IMO the best place to buy a straight razor is right here on this site, in the Classifieds. There are numerous Vintage razors for sale there, at half the price that are far better than a modern Theirs Issard. This is just my opinion though.

A 4/8" can be trickier to learn with due to finding the proper angle, but once you learn it it will be fine.

Originally Posted by Nannaki

I should however mention that the main purpose for the razor will be for touching up and grooming. After a bit more research I was wondering if 4/8'' would be a better choice for that. I fell in love with Thiers Issard's Le Petit de Francais (Black scales). Having a hard time finding one in stock someplace though. http://masterofshaves.com/images/41-...-275-PF-PN.jpg

The TI Super Gnome in 4/8 is nice. Their are also a lot of vendors a selling NOS 4/8 Filmarmonica Corte Cabello sculpting razors

I can't tell what country you're in, but if you are in the U. S. SRD is the best straight razor place I know of. Like harrywally said, if you'd consider a vintage razor the classified section here is a good place to look. I'm sure there are other places besides SRD to get razors that are properly honed. Currently, I have four straight razors and the two I bought from SRD are the two I didn't have to sharpen on day one.

Best bang for the buck out there for a new razor is the Ralf Aust 5/8 black for $102.99 at SRD. You could shave with that one razor the rest of your life and be happy -- if it weren't for the dreaded straight razor acquisition disorder. Don't forget, however, that you'll need to get a strop, brush, shaving cream, etc. At SRD you could get the RA 5/8 as a kit for around $200 and be all set to go.

I've bought two of the sight unseens from Whipped Dog. One shaves me nearly BBS even as a beginner, the other pulls and scratches a bit. But he's working with me on it to narrow down whether it's technique or something actually wrong with the hone and has assured me that he'll make it right if that's the case. By all accounts, Larry proudly stands behind his product and services and thus far it's proving to be the case here.

It's definitely a good way to go if you don't want to drop a lot of coin on something you're not certain you'll stay with.

Can't go wrong with the classifieds or SRD. Both will be a sure bet.