Thread: 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.

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.

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

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?

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

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

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

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.

-----------

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