Thread: Questions on razor for beginner

Looks like the ones on eBay starting at about $5.00. Custom Damascus razors.

Originally Posted by tcrideshd

Ya might want to pass, a good starter razor can be had in the classifieds and it will shave, not knowing what it is and it's probably cheap, ( most new guys fall into that trap) pattern welded steel isn't cheap to come up with a blade that will hold an edge and shave right. I believe there are some inexpensive razors in the classifieds right now. Tc

Thank you guys for the help. I went in today and talked to my barber. He said he isn't quite sure who makes them but he specified that he can no longer get them for the price I paid. it cost me $160 and he said the guy wont make any more due to how much they are actually worth (don't know if this is really true or if he was just making it up) he said that he uses the same print on all the handles of his razors though. I added the picture of it to this post. I already have a brush and mug because I started out with a safety razor but I wanted to upgrade even more to a straight. If its still the same issue as far as it being mostly just a blade for show that's ok (rookie mistake) but I would love some input as to what to look for to be sure I'm getting something of quality to use.

Looks like a Pakistani razor shaped object to me. Frankly, return it and get something vintage that will shave for sure.

The biggest feature you are going to be looking for is truly shave ready. Most of the vintage blades from Sheffield, Solingen, Eskilstuna, US, France are all going to be good razors once serviced and honed. As far as new ones go there are brands that are known to be generally good. Some companies have had some recent quality control issues but most of the time they are good. Revisor, Theirs Issard, Ralf Aust, Dovo, Boker, are all still making quality razors. I'm sure I've missed some and someone will ad to the list if needed.

Find your nearest honemeister, make friends. They will most likely have a couple of spare blades they can lend/sell you or make recommendations on specific blades. Whatever you get you know it's good to shave. I am new here and that's what I did.

I (personally) would look for a:

USER READY (honed and stropped, ready to shave with),
Full hollow (concave on both sides from the spine to the edge)
Round point (no right angle cutting surface at the toe that you might gouge yourself with)
Carbon Steel.

I started with a 5/8" which is the width from the edge to the spine. After that you can adjust to suite your taste.

You may want to purchase it from a merchant who is also a honemeister and will give you at least one free hone after your purchase.

I wanted to make sure that my first purchase was from a reputable place that sold quality razors. I got my first from Straight Razor Designs (a razor-strop set).

Don't forget about your STROP!

It looks like a Pakistani razor to me as well from the picture (and we could be wrong). It looks cool but probably won't hone. They are decorative but not functional.

For a test, a real quality custom razor should be shave ready and should remove arm hair SUPER easy like it's not even there

best is to start with a known razor that is shave ready from a professional honer , check the classifieds for great options

Originally Posted by ZacSal24

Thank you guys for the help. I went in today and talked to my barber. He said he isn't quite sure who makes them but he specified that he can no longer get them for the price I paid. it cost me $160 and he said the guy wont make any more due to how much they are actually worth (don't know if this is really true or if he was just making it up) he said that he uses the same print on all the handles of his razors though. I added the picture of it to this post. I already have a brush and mug because I started out with a safety razor but I wanted to upgrade even more to a straight. If its still the same issue as far as it being mostly just a blade for show that's ok (rookie mistake) but I would love some input as to what to look for to be sure I'm getting something of quality to use.

Who is the maker?