Thread: Budget razors

Hey guys, I'm new to the forum and straight razor shaving in general. I love the idea, but I am on a budget. I really cannot afford anything more than about $50. Is there a razor that will give a nice clean shave just like the expensive models but does not have fancy handle or engravings? I bought a budget razor from amazing shaving and tried it out, but it pulled, hurt, and gave an aweful shave. What makes a more expensive razor different? I know that the blade on goods ones are made from a different metal, but can't a stainless steel blade be sharpened enought to give a great shave? Thanks for the tips!

welcome to srp

if you bought this one its performance is no surprise. you would likely had the same result, had you bought one of the expensive ones on that site. the difference is that those could be fixed, yours likely can't.

it sure is possible to find cheaper razors that shave not just the same, but better than those expensive ones. they would have to be vintage though and you will have to accept a lot of cosmetic blemishes (the shinier the razor the more it costs, even if this makes no functional difference).

the best place to find these is the classifieds section of this site. the razor has to be honed to 'shave-ready' by somebody with experience to do so and a lot of the sellers in the classifieds fall in that category.

your other option is the chinese made double arrow razor, which you can get on ebay for $10 and shipping, or from one of the guys after it's been fixed for just under $50.

good luck.

P.S. Stainless steel can be sharpened to take a good edge, but it has to have the right composition and heat treatment before that and that's where those pakistani made razors fail.

Why would the performance of those expensive Dovo razors be just as bad?

Member KenRup sells shave-ready Wapis and Double Arrows on his site ruprazor.com for around $50 but I think he's out of stock at the moment.If you PM him,maybe he can help you.

I started with a disposable straight and still have it and sometime use it. I am currently working with a fixed straight edge and moving along the learning curve. Those disposable stainless steel blades are very sharp, so take care. Straight razor holder and 15 blades - $35. DOVO makes some that should fit your $50 budget, razor and blades.

Buying a fixed straight edge is only the beginning of your costs factors, so if this is your first time and the budget is limited, the disposable blade may be the way to go as it was for me. Initially, I was in for a Penny, now I am in for a Pound Plus.

Pabster

Originally Posted by Oceanking

Why would the performance of those expensive Dovo razors be just as bad?

because in most cases they they leave the factory without being honed adequately.

If you get a good razor for that price, well done.

Steven Dempster of The Invisible Egde still stocks Wapi's, for a very reasonable price. He also has several nice vintage ones, and all his razors come honed and shave ready.

So I've heard that stainless steel blades come with a very sharp edge. If this is true, why does it not cut worth a hoot?

Also, this looks like a nice razor.. Any opinions?

Originally Posted by Oceanking

So I've heard that stainless steel blades come with a very sharp edge. If this is true, why does it not cut worth a hoot?

Also, this looks like a nice razor.. Any opinions?

Yeah, I have an opinion:

BUY IT!

Looks very nice!