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I want to start using straight razors instead of safety razors and would like to hear some recommendations. I am willing to pay up to 100 dollars but don’t want a straight razor with replaceable blades. I am somewhat familiar with stropping and strop my knives whenever they get dull. Any advice for a starter would be helpful. Thanks.
Hi and welcome to SRP. Nice way to start the new year.
May I suggest reading everything in the SRP library https://sharprazorpalace.com/ it’s a wealth of information that will put you in good stead.
Look for a straight in the SRP BST https://sharprazorpalace.com/buy-sell-trade/
There’s always a great deal to be had for under 100 bucks and most importantly will be shave ready.
I have recently ran across a few folks new to straights wanting a razor. The problem is they have seen RSOs and thought that they looked really cool. But when i go to sell them a Real Razor (vintage, and shave ready) they want something else.
This has been my recent experiance. But if your looking for a razor to shave with and are not looking for bling, Vintage is the best way to start. And that can be had for much less than 100.
BTW, welcome to SRP.
Welcome to SRP. I'd go along with what the previous 2 gents have said. Imho the budget limit eliminates a new straight razor from a reputable maker although I am sure some will dispute want to dispute that. A used straight razor that comes shave ready from the BST should be a good bet.
One word of caution though is that a lot of what applies to knives is similar to what applies to straight razors but not exactly the same.
Bob
This applies especially to honing and stropping. Make sure you read and digest the razor maintenance section of the library.Quote:
Originally Posted by BobH
Hi and welcome aboard. They have already pointed out the best place for a razor. I would add just make sure you have a clean unpasted strop and you should be good to start.
A good brush and soap/cream is a good idea also. Can goop etc doesn't work well for straights.
PM sent.
Good luck in your hunt.
IIRC I don't think new members get access to the BST forum for a while. I agree start with an inexpensive vintage, professionally honed (bouschie, whipped dog and others have great deals on these) or another route is a corrected and honed gold dollar (crescent city razors).
New guys can buy, I think in the old Classified, before BST there was a post count of at least 10 or so, before a new guy could sell.
Now anyone can buy or sell, an annual $10 fee is charged to sell, no fee to buy.
Yup, vintage is a much better deal than buying new, especially if you are new to Straight Razors. Most vintage razor, depending on condition are better than new razors, there are exceptions.
Feel free to ask about any of the razors listed in the BST for opinions, the added benefit of a Vintage BST razor is they are generally in excellent condition, restored or at least cleaned… and come Shave Ready, which is a huge benefit.
Most new razor are not Shave Ready.
Lots of excellent razors in the BST, well under $100.
Thanks for the help everyone. I think I’m going to stalk the BST section of the forum until I find something I like. I like the look of older straights and am going to wait for one of them on the forum. Again, thanks for the help.
It is a little slow right now, but last week there were 3 smoking shavers at $65 each. A Case Red Imp, a Genco Next and Bowdin concave.
Any of the 3 are great shaver and were in excellent condition at a fair price. Great shavers and easy to hone and strop.
I’m a big fan of Genco’s and Case. My first razor was a Bowdin Blue that I shaved with exclusively for over 10 years. The 3 were made in the Little Valley of New York during the pinnacle of American razor making.
The post was titled US Razor for information. Wait a few days and there will be more. Like I said, if you see something of interest, just post for some advice.
Yes, as others have said, the best deals going are in our own BST forum. The most prolific seller there is Bouschie. Any razor you get from him will be a great shaver at a great price!