New to straight razors and i love it! Time to progress

I have tried mach3's Wilkinson sword quatros and Gillette fusion (5 blades!:gth) but no matter what i tried i would get shaving rash. so i decided a straight razor was the way to go! Today i had my first shave using a straight razor and gosh was i excited to give it a go, nerves kicked in but i enjoyed it. Reading about honing and stopping and all the other things that come with shaving like a real gent i decided to get a disposable type of straight (as i didn't want to ruin a brand new razor). It shaves OK, the blades to not pass the HHT which makes me wonder if its really shard enough for a top performance shave.

I'm looking to buy a decent razor which is shave-ready and a strop but really have no idea what I'm looking for (hollow, 4/8, 5/8, 6/8, carbon, stainless steal, blue steal etc etc), how often i would have to hone it and how easily i could ruin the razor and so on. I'm looking to spend up to about £50 ~ $100 on the razor then whatever a cheap strop costs, IF i can get a 'good' razor for this price I'll be happy but i don't want to buy a second-rate razor for the sake of saving £10~ $20 (obviously if i need to spend double this I'm happy)- i mean after all this will save me tons of money in the long run!

Any advice for your European cousin would be greatly appreciated, when it comes to straight razors - count me in!

Daniel

See my recent post (click here). International shipping is always a factor, of course, but I know Kenrup will, just don't know about the cost. If you have access to honing services in your home country, you might be able to order either the Wapi or the Double Arrow and a strop directly from Poland (open_razor on ebay). You might post in the Buy/Sell/Trade forum that you are looking for honing service in your particular country.

Thank you for the swift reply, are there any brands/manufacturers that i should look for or avoid like the plague? thanks again!

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Originally Posted by DMcLean

Thank you for the swift reply, are there any brands/manufacturers that i should look for or avoid like the plague? thanks again!

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If your buying from ebay you would want to avoid zeepak or zepak and there are many more.

If you buy anything, buy it here on thB/S/T. Youll get an honest deal and a good razor and everyone here has a reputation to protect.:tu

Hi and welcome!

I've also heard good things about the inviseble edge in the UK, it might be worth to check with him, he's a member here but I've forgotten his nick. If that don't work out a WTB in B/S/T should work.

that is a very good point indeed! (no pun inteded) i'll check out the shop i've been suggested (is a user here) then i'll try the S/b/t section.

have a great day!

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Originally Posted by DMcLean

Thank you for the swift reply, are there any brands/manufacturers that i should look for or avoid like the plague? thanks again!

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See the fourth sticky thread at the top of this forum (CRITICAL INFO...)

Here's a little snippet:


Some GOOD RAZOR BRANDS (this is just a starting point)
Maestro Livi, Dubl Duck, Dovo, Henkels, Revisor, Boker, Genco, Geneva, Clauss, Wade & Butcher, Robeson, Maher & Grosh, Puma, Thiers-Isard, Boker, King, Wostenholm, Fabyan, Geo Wostenholm, Wapienica,

Most any razor that was FORGED in Germany, England, France, Italy, are good blades. Razors marked Solingen that were FORGED in Solingen are good blades. Warning: See below for info about razors trying to be passed off as "solingen" razors.

Bad Razor Brands (stay away from these)
Zeepk, Master, MasterUSA, Kriegar, Steel Warrior, Sanguine, Simco, "Good Quality", "Special Quality", "Best Quality", "High Quality", "Two Man", pakistani (any razor made in pakistan), Razors "designed by Jim Frost"

There are some "no brand" razors on ebay dirt cheap. DON'T BUY. Also some razors have taken to painting "SOLINGEN" on the razor and are not dirt cheap but not overly expensive either, The blade is forged in pakistan and scales put on in germany so they are using a legal loop hole to claim these are manufactured in Solingen. this causes some problems. Watch out for them.

a few Ebay members that often sell good razors on ebay
altima55, manyware, Mr_Barence, portal5, grottolord, open_razor

EBAY sellers to avoid
bood5244, coonr, thebarterman60

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Originally Posted by bjorn

Hi and welcome!

I've also heard good things about the inviseble edge in the UK, it might be worth to check with him, he's a member here but I've forgotten his nick. If that don't work out a WTB in B/S/T should work.

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Well I pulled this off a reply to me asking the same question...
I have had razors honed by two guys in the UK.
One is Steve from Introduction to razors and the other is Poona. Both are members on this forum and both provided excellent speedy service.

Hope this helps

Evil Bert

This is the sort of information i was after, you have all been of a great help - perhaps i'll post some pictures of my current and new razor when i've settled on one!

i think i may get a vintage blade, the Spanish style is most appealing to me but i'll see what i can afford

now one question is left to ask, why was i never taught to shave with a straight razor and why is it uncommon!?

heh, take care all!