Reputable sites for buying straight razors

Hello everybody,
New here, new to straight razors. Spent hours upon hours researching blades to find one I liked. I ended up really liking the 5/8'' Thiers Issard Bijou De France, but I can only find it on one site which kinda worries me. Preferably with a black plastic handle. Was curious if "Theimperialshave.com" Was a reputable seller around here.
Would appreciate any feedback on this. Was kinda disappointed to have finally found one i liked only to question the reputation of the site.
Thanks :)

Straight Razor Designs has the added advantage of supplying razors that have been honed to a shave-ready state. The seller you mentioned may be entirely reputable but it's very hard to go past a blade honed by Lynn Abrams. I know this from experience; I just received a new Boker from SRD and you won't hear me complaining about the edge.

Also, late model TIs have a somewhat mixed reputation for their factory edges - far better to buy one that has been already sorted out in that department than to have get it put right afterwards - ask me how I know.

The Imperial Shave is a reputable company. I've purchased from them before. They are a bit inflated on pricing. You might look to Shaving Shop - luxury classic wet shaving products - straight razors and John Crowley. An excellent man with good service and pricing.

Remember the suppliers for this "cottage industry" sometimes work other jobs and sell these items to supplement. Not like buying a Gillette or Schick at Wal-Mart.

In addition to above there are Classicedge.ca and theinvisibleeddge.co.uk who carry a wide variety of TI's with good service and hone before shipping. No experience with Imperialshave.com myself, theier pricing always seemed a higher than market so never tried them. There are other shops too I could mention if you are comfortable with honing a factory edge.

FYI you have to be specific. That model comes in many flavors, Gold wash, Plain etch, and a plethora of spine options so don't assume every dealer will have the same one you saw. Check and ask questions before committing to buy

If you put your location in your profile it would be easier to steer you to a shop in your home country. In Canada Classic edge is the spot for hand honed razors.

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Originally Posted by Maladroit

Straight Razor Designs has the added advantage of supplying razors that have been honed to a shave-ready state. The seller you mentioned may be entirely reputable but it's very hard to go past a blade honed by Lynn Abrams. I know this from experience; I just received a new Boker from SRD and you won't hear me complaining about the edge.

Also, late model TIs have a somewhat mixed reputation for their factory edges - far better to buy one that has been already sorted out in that department than to have get it put right afterwards - ask me how I know.

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Couldn't agree more. Not trying to be a "fan boy" but hard to go wrong with SRD. My first straight was a "NEW TI" from AOS. I purchased it before I had really done any research or discovered this forum (paid too much, not shave ready). The factory edge was awful. After it was honed, it's a great blade.

The Superior Shave is also a good site. I bought my Dovo Bismarck from him and the edge was honed perfectly.

Wow, thanks for the suggestions and the feedback. You guys are quick.
As far as the aesthetic details, I'm not really sure. the one in this picture is what caught my eye - http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...JL._SX522_.jpg

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

Also, I'll update the profile - but I live in Portland Oregon.

I'll take a look at the suggested sites. Thanks again for the help :)

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Originally Posted by 400E

The Superior Shave is also a good site. I bought my Dovo Bismarck from him and the edge was honed perfectly.

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I second this.

I have bought from TSS; SRD; PRC; and a few individuals. Every razor I ever received from TSS and SRD has always been truly shave ready.

PRC is in your hometown but they sell their own brand and handmade razors. Now TSS does not sell TI that I have ever seen but SRD does and that would be my first recommendation because the folks there truly send you a razor that will shave like a dream!

Good luck and I am sure there are some other razor businesses people run that do a great job I just don't have experience with them.

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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.

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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.

Quote:

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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

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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.