Best no-frills, no-BS shaver for a newbie

So thanks to this forum for providing so much great info and helping me learn a lot about straight razors....it always awesome to find really cool, helpful niche internet communities like this one. Anyway, I'll make it quick

From the research I've already done, I've pretty much concluded my first razor should be a 5/8, round point, hollow or extra hollow ground blade (probably carbon steel, but stainless would work) around 3-3.5" in length....if I can find one that is already well-honed, all the better!

Here's the thing....all I really care about is the performance of the shaver. Aesthetics and collector's value are of absolutely no concern to me. The Dovo "Best Quality" seems like it would be a great bet if it weren't $80.

Genco seems like a good bet....also looked at Boker, Henckels, Puma, Wade&Butcher and the others suggested on the wiki page, but decent ones seem to fetch upwards of $50 on eBay and even more on the classifieds here (unless all those SOLD! ones I keep missing are the good deals). Where are all the $30 workhorse shavers that I keep reading about? Are they extinct?

Anyway, I'm a musician....I can't afford ivory scales or gold inlays....but as a former luthier, I can't compromise on a blade. Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Jonny

PS: Should I still be really picky about small scratches and light wear on the blade as long as it's closer to the spine than the cutting edge? Or is that mostly of concern for aesthetic value?

Welcome to SRP. Seems like you've already been reading the forums and the SRP Wiki. All I can suggest is the classifieds. Look for a shave ready razor that is within your budget. :gl:

I would say that the classifieds here is still your best bet.You may have to pick a brand you haven't heard of,but there are hundreds of good ones.Getting one here,and shave ready, saves you $20 or so cause you would have to send an ebay special out to be honed even if you can score one on the cheap.

Just looked at the classifieds.. quite a few razors that fit your needs.

$30:
Lowered - Joseph Allen Non-XLL With a Tail - Straight Razor Place Classifieds
Lowered - W&B Workhorse 1 - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

$40:
5/8 challenge clut.co. - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

$45:
SFK triangle Wapi shave ready - Straight Razor Place Classifieds
Bengall. - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

As already stated, you just can't go wrong with the classifieds. You will be getting a truly good deal. They are good razors at excellent prices, not junk being dumped. Our members have reputations to protect.

There are some alternatives,too. Kenrup and SRD have some great values on starter kits. They are worth considering. :gl:

i'd probably hop on that bengall looks like a really nice shaver.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jdurango

Here's the thing....all I really care about is the performance of the shaver. Aesthetics and collector's value are of absolutely no concern to me. The Dovo "Best Quality" seems like it would be a great bet if it weren't $80.

Genco seems like a good bet....also looked at Boker, Henckels, Puma, Wade&Butcher and the others suggested on the wiki page, but decent ones seem to fetch upwards of $50 on eBay and even more on the classifieds here (unless all those SOLD! ones I keep missing are the good deals). Where are all the $30 workhorse shavers that I keep reading about? Are they extinct?

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Well, Bokers Henckels, Pumas, W&B, etc. do fall in the collector territory or at least under brand-recognition with the corresponding price premiums. Just as Dovo. It's true occasionally you can find some of them listed for cheaper, but that's the exception, not the norm and as you noticed plenty of interest in these deals.

Ben already pointed you at a bunch of razors in the category you're describing. If you really don't care about the aesthetics then ignore any pitting staining and hone wear on a blade and repairs on the scales. The only thing that cuts the whiskers is the edge so as long as that's free of problems that's all that matters from purely functional point of view.

Of course then you want somebody who has enough experience and reputation to have honed it so that the edge is indeed what it should be. It's not unheard of for inexperienced honers to leave chips and oxidation on the edge - even on expensive and clean looking razors.

Hello mate welcome to SRP.
My RAD has kicked in quite badly over the last few months,(just when I thought I Kicked it).So I am shortly going to be sending some blades in for the Give away.
So i am offering you a free razor to get you started , It Is A 5/8 carbon steel singing blade. made in Solingen That I got as an Impulse Buy from Ebay .
It will do you proud. Just Pm me your address to where you want it sent & I will post it of to you as soon as I am able.
It will be Shave ready & Sterilized,so just strop it & give it a go.Cheers Paul:tu

Wow, the generosity at SRP continues. Good luck with your new aquisition and make sure you let the rest of us know how she shaves.

Hal

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Originally Posted by Sharp&Shiny

Hello mate welcome to SRP.
My RAD has kicked in quite badly over the last few months,(just when I thought I Kicked it).So I am shortly going to be sending some blades in for the Give away.
So i am offering you a free razor to get you started , It Is A 5/8 carbon steel singing blade. made in Solingen That I got as an Impulse Buy from Ebay .
It will do you proud. Just Pm me your address to where you want it sent & I will post it of to you as soon as I am able.
It will be Shave ready & Sterilized,so just strop it & give it a go.Cheers Paul:tu

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Paulie I can't thank you enough!! I really appreciate this.....I tried PM'ing you a few times, but nothing is showing up in my "sent mail" or "track message" folder, so figured I'd post the "PM" here. I'll have to blank out the address after a couple days so it doesn't end up on google.

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Brother IOU1 BIG TIME!!! I was researching singing blades and was looking at buying one, but they seemed to be more rare and expensive so I kinda gave up. Being a musician I love the term "singing blade" and even thought about naming my new band "The Singing Blades" or "The Straight Razors"...can you believe those names haven't been taken? (at least according to allmusic.com) I've also heard if you're careful, you can get some really cool sounds by plucking or stropping a singing blade....I figure it would be fun to get some high quality recordings of a singing blade and post 'em here...maybe use 'em in a song......so, I'm VERY grateful and really really appreciate your offer!

Anyway, let me know if there's anything at all I can do to repay you. I'm very skilled with computers, computer security...my studio "employs" web and graphic design people who would hook you up! Of course anything related to music or audio recording, voice-over work, ADR....just let me know!!! I dunno if you're into music at all, but I can get you smoking deals at guitar center.....used to be a manager there and still know people who will hook me up with cost!

Well, my address is:

Jonny Durango
XXX Studios
XXXX S. XXXX St. #XXX
Seattle, WA
XXXXX

Again, I REALLY appreciate the help and please let me know what I can do to repay you! Thanks again brother!!!

Jonny

Also, huge thanks to everyone who replied and especially Ben for taking the time to find some great classified deals! You can bet I'll stick around here and try to contribute to this RAD (pun intended) community in the future!!! Thanks again fellas! Keep on rockin! :rock:

Looks like you're getting hooked up, but for future purchases, I can give you some more advice.

You can get a WONDERFUL shave with something that looks like total crap. In terms of getting a good shave, there's really only 2 things that matter.

1. The edge.

2. The quality of the steel.

In truth, you could even ignore the quality of the steel, except that if you don't have good steel to start with, you can't get and keep a good edge.

A person could very easily pick up a $10 blade on ebay, spend $20 to have it honed, and be rockin' and rollin' with a razor that looks like garbage, except that it has a nice keen edge.

The things to look for are:

1. An edge that is either straight or smiling. You don't want a frown.
2. An edge that does not have visible chips.
3. A razor with no pitting or rust on the edge itself.
4. Scales that are in tact.
5. The razor should open and close without the edge hitting the scales.
6. Ideally, the razor should be tight enough in the scales that it will stay open/closed on it's own. However, as long as the scales are not cracked, you can GENTLY tap the pins with a ball peen hammer to tighten them.
7. Even wear on the spine. There can be a lot of it, but as long as it's more or less even, the razor should hone up just fine.
8. Quality steel. As a general rule, any vintage razor is probably safe in this department, although old razors made from solingen steel are probably a safer bet.

Beyond that, the whole thing can be covered in orange rust and deep pitting. The scales can be ugly as sin. You just knock the rust off with sandpaper, polish it up a little bit with some maas (will not get it glossy unless you really do some serious sanding work first) and then send it off to be honed.

Jonny it looks like you're about set up to start! Welcome! This is indeed a great place and I can tell you I've learned more in here in a few months than from years of reading anyplace else. Every time I start to think I've got all this down pat, I read something that takes me into new territory. Great info and tremendous people! From a larger perspective you could say this place is what we'd all like the world to be more like - happy shaving.

ive never been to a more genorous, friendly forum.
the guys around here are really quite incredible, for both; there wealth of knowledge, and genorosity.
:rock:

Thanks JDurango for the post. It helps since I'm in the same boat as a newb trying to find the right gear to get me started. I've been reading the Wiki and this site to help with my learning.

Thanks slarti..for the classified scan. Tried to get a couple, but no longer available :(

Yeah... SRP is great, people here always step up. You've received lots of great advice... I'll try to add to the info by telling you what I think is the best no frills NEW shaver (not a classified blade).

In my opinion, the Wapienicas are great no-BS shavers for a great price. I've had great experiences with them, and some guys keep wapis in their regular shave rotations along with their collector blades.

Other than that I'd go with the classifieds.
:gl: