First time buyer of a straight razor

This is my first time posting and am quite happy to find such a wealth of information. I am looking to get a straight razor for the first time. I am quite experienced with knives and stropping (as I am a knife maker) so I think I would be good with a straight razor.

1) Here are my questions. I see some straight razors advertised for $200 then others for like $5 on amazon.com. Is there really a difference between the two? I don't have a lot to spend.

2) From my experience carbon steel seems to hold an edge better and sharper than most stainless, do you find this true, because many of the cheap ones seem to be stainless?

3) If I have to oil a carbon steel razor so it doesn't rust, what type of oil should I use and do you find this oil causes you to break out with acne?

4) I am looking at getting a strop and two hollow ground carbon steel razors on ebay. The set is a buy it now for $20. Would this suffice for my first razors?

5) For someone starting out can you recommend every single thing you would buy (just the product, not particular brands) and what they are used for?

Thanks and sorry for so many newbie questions. I just don't want to end up with gouges out of my face and you guys seem to know what your talking about.

Welcome to SRP. Check out the Wiki at the top of the tool bar for a lot of good info. There are also videos in the forum index here that will be very informative.

Stay away from any of the cheap stainless stuff on ebay or Amazon. If you look at our classifieds you will find many options that are shave ready.

I use R.I.G. on an Outer's Silicone Gun Cloth to prevent rust. A lot of guys like tough glide.

I prefer carbon but there are high quality stainless razors out there like the Henckles Friodur that are very good. Check out the razor clubs here and you will get an idea of what is good.

If you want a strop go to the Vendor's corner on the forum index and get one from Heirloom Strop Co. They are as good as it gets and have beginner strops too.

:gl:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/newbi...ead-first.html

'Nuff said...

I did read all of that, just a bunch of things I asked weren't answered in there.

My answer to #5 is:

1. Get a sharp straight razor: used for shaving your face, not for tugging the hairs out by the roots
2. Get a quality leather strop: used for keeping the razor shave ready - And let the strop be double sided and pasted on one side with chromium oxide: used to resharpen the razor periodically
3. Get a badger hair brush: used to work lather into your whiskers and help ready them for removal
4. Get a bunch of soap and cream samples from different makers to find what you like: used to make good lather
5. Get a styptic (aftershave or alum block or styptic pencil): used to help close pores and shaving wounds

I emphasize "sharp" straight razor - one that has been expertly honed by someone who sharpens straight razors with great frequency, not necessarily the local knife sharpener

There's still a really nice 6/8 Clauss in the classifieds here.Honed and sold by none other than Lynn and Don.You have to go to around page 6 or so.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by andrew777771

4) I am looking at getting a strop and two hollow ground carbon steel razors on ebay. The set is a buy it now for $20. Would this suffice for my first razors?

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no, if these are the sets i've seen, you'll end up with $20 trash that you'll need to dump.

1. If you don't mind doing some restoration work, you can get an excellent vintage/antique razor for very little money. If you go for new, go to a reputable website (such as those that advertise here) and get a shave-ready one. A good Dovo can be found for less than $100. Used razors can be had on the BST forums for significantly less.

2. A quality razor is a quality razor. Carbon steel will be easier to sharpen, but not hold the edge as long. Good results can be had with both.

3. If you dry it thoroughly when you're done, there may not be a need for oiling. Storing it in a dry, low-humidity location will help. Don't leave it on your sink where it will get wet.

4. You'll do better getting a razor from someone on the forum.

5. Has already been answered pretty well.

J.

As they say, You get what you pay for. There is a difference in razors. Unless you know what your looking at, I'd stay away from 5 dollar razors on Ebay. Get Lynn's DVD. It's wealth of information, it even covers Ebay. Second, Get a descent razor. Your correct about Carbon Steel. Carbon steel is easier to hone too. You can get a Carbon Steel Dovo, Full Hollow from www.vintagebladesllc.com for under 100 bucks if your not too picky about scales. As far as oil goes, if your using the razors regularly, keep them clean and dry, you shouldn't have to use oil, unless they're going to be idle for a while. I live in Florida, Humidity central. I seldom use it. I've had no trouble. Starting out, You need of course a razor, two are better so you can rotate. You need a leather strop with a cotton or canvas back, Soap, mug, brush. styptic pencil, Second strop with some Chromium oxide paste for touch ups. Check the WIKI.....It's also a welth of info..