Hello! Seeking advice for my first Razor (Boker)

Hello everyone,

I've been soaking up information on this site and finally decided to register and post. For several years now I have wanted to take up straight razor shaving; lurking razor forums, soaking in all the information I can find. I'm still interested so I'm thinking its not just a fad. ;)

I would like to purchase a straight razor, and any help you pros can direct my way would be appreciated. I'd like a Boker and have looked at a lot of vintage, however I just dont know enough to make a smart decision (I think some of the Red Injuns look nice) but whichever would be a nice starter razor.

Why I'm interested in Boker? My Dad died when I was very young and I inherited some of his knives, all of which were Boker and mostly date to around 1900 (probably from his Dad who came over from Holland....but I dont have much info on that), so I'm trying to carry on the "tradition" or what I'd like to think of as a tradition.

Anyhow, thanks in advance.

Keep your eye on the Classifieds. they show up now and again. Somebody might be able to come to your aid here though. Red Injun, Tree Brand, whichever, they're great shavers and I'm sure you'll like the one you end up with.

X

Welcome to SRP!

You cannot go wrong with a Boker, they are great shavers. You might want to check the classifieds and see if any are up for sale there. You could also place an ad, I'm sure someone on here has one they'd part with. Or, you could buy one from ebay, there are tons there. You have to be careful when buying off ebay though, since you probably do not know what to look for when buying a razor. But if you do find something you like on ebay, you could post a link here and I'm sure SRP members would tell you if it's a good buy.

Once you get your razor, you need to make sure it's "shave ready." There are several members here that can hone it for you.

In addition, I recommend that you buy Lynn's DVD. His DVD really helped me when I started. It will show you how to strop, hone, shave, etc.

Good luck.

My first straight was a Red Injun and it's still one of my favorites.

i got really licky and bought a Boker Tree Brand for $20 at a local market from a knife dealer. it was one of his personal razors as he doesn't even sell straights normally. if you can i would check out the antique stores, i have had some decent luck at mine, but as other have stated you should get it honed by a pro. just read up on these forums to see what to look for. for me i look at the bevel, hone wear, obviously any rust or pitting. don't just jump at the first thing you see unless you are looking to get into restorations.

the next razor on my list is a Red Injun as my Boker is my #1 shaver right now and the red injuns look really nice.

BTW i am definitely not a pro, i was exactly where you were about 6 months ago, now i'm razor obsessed ha!

All Boker's are great shavers...but then again, so are Wade and Butchers, Gencos, Dovos, TIs, and pretty well any Solingen and/or Sheffield razor. Any of those, in about a 5/8th to 6/8th would be a great starting point.

If you're dead set on a Boker, like Xman said, keep your eye open to the classifieds for a shave ready razor. FWIW, I think getting a razor at an antique market will just lead you down the road of razor restoration, which will eat up time and money that could be used on getting the necessary gear and shaving skills needed.

Mark

Boker is back in business as manufacturer of straights however the general consensus is they are overpriced. They do turn up occasionally. Try ebay.de as well.

Thanks for the welcome and the ideas everyone. As far as restoration, maybe someday but like Milton Man said, I need to invest in the other equipment that goes along with a straight razor, starting at square one. :) If I see something I'm interested in I'll try posting it here and see what you guys think.

Welcome to SRP. Just for the record, however, it is Böker, not Boker. Do not let that stop you, though. Umlauts notwithstanding, this razor will give you pleasure. Eventually.

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Originally Posted by simatta

If I see something I'm interested in I'll try posting it here and see what you guys think.

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That's an excellent idea.
Note that you can also send the razor to one of our experienced restorers. Usually it's best to buy one that's all done and ready to go - if you factor in all the time and money it'll most likely end up costing you much less.
Bökers are fairly plentiful, so getting one should not be a problem.