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.

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Originally Posted by BeBerlin

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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I could have put in the o umlaut, or even done the lazy man's way and written it as Boeker, but I'm too lazy for even that. ;) This site is a wealth of information...too much to take in! But that's a good thing.

welcome to the srp. You also might want to check out the Boker brotherhood thread and see all the different Bokers posted there. Good luck and If I can be of any help drop me a line I know a little bit about Bokers.

Just put one up for sale in the classifieds.

It's a genuine top quality Boker circa 1914.

I have also put up a W&B which is also a great top quality vintage razor.

The Boker is a slightly stiffer blade.

The price difference reflects the rarity of the razors. They are both top quality great 5/8" razors.

Thanks so much English, I'm really looking forward to it. And your advice has been very much appreciated.

Really getting into this. What do you all recommend as a first brush? I've heard lots of good things about the Duluth and BBB (C&E) as good brushes for the money.

Shaving Brush and Stand -Duluth Trading Company

Cream Best Badger Small Shave Brush | Shaving Brushes & Kits | Men's Grooming | Bath & Body | Crabtree & Evelyn

Shaved with my Red Injun this morning. Amazing shave. I can't recommend this razor enough. I've become a huge Boker fan.

Simatta - I have that C&E brush, and love it! It works wonderfully in creams, and works reasonably well with soaps (I say this because a slightly shorter loft would make it a little more scrubby and a little less floppy...). But value for money, it can't be beat!

Mark

I hate to spam this place up but I am just really excited about all of this. Let me know if I need to take a step back and relax. ;)

I went with the BBB with the stand (as I understand it, they are the same, or at least very close). And since I seem to be jumping into this full steam ahead, ordered the three-sampler soaps from Honeybee Spa, which has really great reviews...Bay Rum, Yuzu, and Vetyver. I can at least try those out with my safety while I build up the other things I need (still looking at and reading lots of reviews on strops, though recommendations are always appreciated).

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Originally Posted by simatta

I hate to spam this place up but I am just really excited about all of this. Let me know if I need to take a step back and relax. ;)

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take a step back and relax ;)

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Originally Posted by simatta

=(still looking at and reading lots of reviews on strops, though recommendations are always appreciated).

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pretty much all of them (stay away from the ebay zeepk type) will do the job done. i've probably tried about 30. pick something not terribly expensive ($30-50 sounds good to me) and you're set for life, or more likely until you decide you just have to have this other one...

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Originally Posted by simatta

I hate to spam this place up but I am just really excited about all of this. Let me know if I need to take a step back and relax. ;)

I went with the BBB with the stand (as I understand it, they are the same, or at least very close). And since I seem to be jumping into this full steam ahead, ordered the three-sampler soaps from Honeybee Spa, which has really great reviews...Bay Rum, Yuzu, and Vetyver. I can at least try those out with my safety while I build up the other things I need (still looking at and reading lots of reviews on strops, though recommendations are always appreciated).

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You ain't spammin', and if you want to tell us everything, please do!

My only experience with strops is with three vintage (100+ years old!) hanging strops, and a new Tony Miller four sided paddle strop. Tony Makes great stuff. The Well Shaved Gentleman, Heirloom Razor Strop Company, Straight Razor Shaving Supplier

I too am learning tons of stuff by lurking in the background and find you guys are providing invaluble info.

For example, I am currently shopping for my very first razor, and untill I read this post, I was under the impression Dovo and..... Theissen?? Is that the name?? Were the only good razors, but clearly there are tons of other great brands out there that will expand my search!!!

I continue to scan the classifieds and soak up info. =)

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Originally Posted by juggler007

I too am learning tons of stuff by lurking in the background and find you guys are providing invaluble info.

For example, I am currently shopping for my very first razor, and untill I read this post, I was under the impression Dovo and..... Theissen?? Is that the name?? Were the only good razors, but clearly there are tons of other great brands out there that will expand my search!!!

I continue to scan the classifieds and soak up info. =)

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Hi Juggler, welcome to SRP!

I believe you are referring to Thiers-Issard, a French razor manufacturer. Feel free to ask questions, and open your own thread! Make sure to read the stickies as well as the Wiki pages.

Sorry for: :HJ

Mark

Thanks MM, indeed that was the brand I was thinking of........

I already have opened a thread in Newbie Corner introducing myself where somebody mentioned the Wiki, which I wasn't aware of, so that has been a great source of info aswell.

Its all good, this subforum is all about newbie questions anyway, so this thread is far from hijacked.

Its time for a couple of stupid questions. I've done lots of searches, but:

1) Does anyone have a visual guide on the proper way to wield the razor? I've found several text-based explanations, but I am truly a visual learner.
2) As far as mugs with soaps go, from what I've read and understand, you use the mug w/ soap to swirl around and begin the lather, then transfer the contents of the soap-saturated brush to a different bowl in order to build the lather, adding water as needed. Does that sound about right?

simatta,

I bought a Boker Red Injun at an antique market a few weeks ago for $15. It looks like it's in good shape. I plan on sending it to someone so they can evaluate what it needs so I can use it. I'm hoping it only needs a good cleaning and honing.

Here's a few pics:

Attachment 17231

Attachment 17232

Attachment 17233

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Originally Posted by simatta

Its all good, this subforum is all about newbie questions anyway, so this thread is far from hijacked.

Its time for a couple of stupid questions. I've done lots of searches, but:

1) Does anyone have a visual guide on the proper way to wield the razor? I've found several text-based explanations, but I am truly a visual learner.

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You are probably looking for something like:

"The Art of the Straight Razor Shave" by Dr. Moss

Here you are:
http://homepage.mac.com/drmoss/.Publ...or%20Shave.pdf

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Originally Posted by bbsupersport

simatta,

I bought a Boker Red Injun at an antique market a few weeks ago for $15. It looks like it's in good shape. I plan on sending it to someone so they can evaluate what it needs so I can use it. I'm hoping it only needs a good cleaning and honing.

Here's a few pics:

Attachment 17231

Attachment 17232

Attachment 17233

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You'll love that razor. I have one just like it that I had honed by Glen. It shaves *very* nicely. The pitting in the middle of your blade does look kinda deep, but luckily it's in a spot where it will only affect it's looks. From the pics, the business part of the blade looks like it's in good shape.

Send it off to a honemeister <insert shameless plug for GSSIXGUN here>, and enjoy!

Well, I broke the news to my fiance yesterday about buying all of this gear for myself. I was expecting a little guilt "shouldn't be spending money because you're broke" thing...but that would have been welcome instead of what I heard.

Turns out she had been doing her own research for the last year (since I've been blabbing nonstop about how much I've been wanting to do this) and was planning on getting me, as a wedding present, this:
The Art of Shaving
along with all the fixins.' It was to be a surprise. What a great gal. I hated to take the surprise away from her :( but a heartfelt hallmark card later its all good. :)

Thanks for that link btw Otto, drank in the whole thing.

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Originally Posted by simatta

Well, I broke the news to my fiance yesterday about buying all of this gear for myself. I was expecting a little guilt "shouldn't be spending money because you're broke" thing...but that would have been welcome instead of what I heard.

Turns out she had been doing her own research for the last year (since I've been blabbing nonstop about how much I've been wanting to do this) and was planning on getting me, as a wedding present, this:
The Art of Shaving
along with all the fixins.' It was to be a surprise. What a great gal. I hated to take the surprise away from her :( but a heartfelt hallmark card later its all good. :)

Thanks for that link btw Otto, drank in the whole thing.

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Marry her quick...sounds like she's a great gal!

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Originally Posted by FloorPizza

You'll love that razor. I have one just like it that I had honed by Glen. It shaves *very* nicely. The pitting in the middle of your blade does look kinda deep, but luckily it's in a spot where it will only affect it's looks. From the pics, the business part of the blade looks like it's in good shape.

Send it off to a honemeister <insert shameless plug for GSSIXGUN here>, and enjoy!

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Sorry simatta, I didn't mean to hi-jack your thread!

Thanks FloorPizza for the feedback on the Boker. The pics actually make it look worse, the blade actually looks more stained than pitted. The pitting near the pin at the tang is much worse. But still not too bad at all.

So, you highly recommend "GSSIXGUN" ? I'll contact him. Thanks.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bbsupersport

Sorry simatta, I didn't mean to hi-jack your thread!

Thanks FloorPizza for the feedback on the Boker. The pics actually make it look worse, the blade actually looks more stained than pitted. The pitting near the pin at the tang is much worse. But still not too bad at all.

So, you highly recommend "GSSIXGUN" ? I'll contact him. Thanks.

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Yeah, very much so. The Red-Injun he sharpened for me is a sweet shaver.

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Originally Posted by bbsupersport

Marry her quick...sounds like she's a great gal!

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She is, I cant wait. 5 months to go. :)

I've received my razor from English, and I just have to say it looks to be in amazing condition, and truly a thing of beauty. Thanks, its obvious that you have shown great care for the Piccadilly, and I will do my best to treat it the same way.

The strop is on the way so I'm waiting till then to try out my first shave; however, I did receive my brush and soaps(honeybeespa sue-tried the Bay Rum tonight and the scent was fantastic) and aftershave so I took the opportunity tonight to practice making a lather. I found a great guide to follow and managed on the second try to make a decent lather, shaved and it was definitely an improvement for my skin over the cheapo gel-in-a-bottle, that is for sure. The aftershave was great too (Proraso).

The anticipation builds!

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Originally Posted by simatta

She is, I cant wait. 5 months to go. :)

I've received my razor from English, and I just have to say it looks to be in amazing condition, and truly a thing of beauty. Thanks, its obvious that you have shown great care for the Piccadilly, and I will do my best to treat it the same way.

The strop is on the way so I'm waiting till then to try out my first shave; however, I did receive my brush and soaps(honeybeespa sue-tried the Bay Rum tonight and the scent was fantastic) and aftershave so I took the opportunity tonight to practice making a lather. I found a great guide to follow and managed on the second try to make a decent lather, shaved and it was definitely an improvement for my skin over the cheapo gel-in-a-bottle, that is for sure. The aftershave was great too (Proraso).

The anticipation builds!

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We (wife & I) celebrated 25 years married this past May and 33 years since our first date on Nov. 14, 1975. I was also fortunate to find the right gal, she's still a keeper! :) Hope the same for you!

It's nice when you spend your money and can be so satisfied with the purchase...sounds really nice.

I really like the Proraso shave cream as well, a very invigorating shave, love that Italian menthol...and a real bargain too!

Sounds like your getting yourself set up real nice! Enjoy and savour your shaves...they can be Zen-like!

Had my first straight razor shave today. The strop was leaning by the doorway at 11AM, so I practiced on it with a butterknife for awhile, and also practiced making some more lather in preparation for this evening. The gal said she wanted to be home when I shaved in case she needed to bring me to the emergency room. http://www.2darkpark.com/vbulletin/i...ilies/wink.gif

Took a long hot shower, built up a nice lather, and finally rinsed the oil off my razor. It took me awhile to hold it so I could see what I was doing to my face. I admit I was a little shaky for a couple seconds there at the start, then I went at it. Started with a pretty steep angle that pulled the hairs but finally found a good angle and soon enough was shaving with the grain down my sideburn area. It got easier the longer I practiced. I was so happy with the results, no nicks or cuts, that I even went across the grain on the sides, and even shaved the chin/neck area and a little bit under the nose. At that point my skin was screaming at me to stop (20 or so passes of practicing with the razor will exfoliate a good amount of skin I guess) so I finished with my disposable and put on a nice big helping of aftershave.

All in all not great or comfortable at all, but from what I have read for a first try with the straight, I think I'm doing alright. I'll probably let my face heal for awhile before my next shave, it is a bit tender. But I can't wait to pick it up again. It was definitely a challenge.

Great job on the first shave! Sounds like you did well.

You might want to only go over the same spot once or twice without relathering - any more than that and you risk serious razor burn.

Keep at it, it only gets better from here!


Mark

Second shave with the open razor tonight. Shaved in between last time and now with the safety to keep burn at a minimum. Tonight was awesome. Huge improvement from last time. I found my angle! Finally. The razor was cutting close and felt great, I think it also helped that I let the razor do most of the work, I put way too much pressure down the first time when I scraped my top layer of skin off. Afterward, still no nicks and this time no razor burn at all. I even graduated to the area under the nose, but the chin still eludes me for now.

Good times.

Wow, congrats simatta!
Sounds like a very positive experience.

I've tried the sideburn/cheek area twice now with not great results, but no nicks...just not a very good shave. I think my razor needs to be honed. But still feels good to get the feel for it!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BeBerlin

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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Umlauts are so over rated!:p:D

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Originally Posted by JMS

Umlauts are so over rated!:p:D

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Ì dön't thínk sö.