Which Razor

since I am a newbie I am wondering which razor is the best buy for the money? I like the full hollow ground razors but am unsure about the toe. Is it better squared off or rounded? If someone could give some guidance especially what to look for on sites like ebay I would appreciate it very much.

A difficult question.

Usually for a rookie either a 5/8s or 6/8s hollow ground carbon steel round toe is a middle ground choice. That was the easy part. There are hundreds of brands out there. its a matter of picking one that appeals to you that looks to be in good shape so it doesn't need major restoration (unless you can do it or afford to send it out) and is made in one of the major countries like England, Germany, France, Sweden, U.S, etc. Either way if you buy vintage plan on having to get it honed. There are very few sellers on Eboy that send out a shave ready razor.

For a crazy thought why not buy one from one of the guys here?

this one

5/8 Genco Registered Full Hollow - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

ok, for a real answer
a shave ready one and none else

a spike isn't nearly so dangerous as a half sharp round

Thanks for the info its greatly appreciated. I recently purchased one on ebay; a Dorko; but the blade is not in the great of shape. I have a water stone for my wood gouges but its only a 4000 grit. So I will have to buy a couple of stones that are bigger and the right grits.
Oh and thanks for the poltergeist razor idea. But being a newbie I won't need any help cutting myself. LOL

Thanks for the publicity, GWH. That one is sold pending payment, but I do have another blade that would make a good starter in the works. I'll make a note to PM you once she passes her shave test.

well I say send the Dorko out for a restore and use that

and get it honed too !!!!

OBXCELT, since you are new to straight razors, the best possible razor would be a round point. IMO the rounded point is much safer than a spike point for a newbie until you get the hang of using a straight razor. There is definitely a learning period for a newbie, and the removal of as many possible distractions is necessary for someone to be comfortable and confident in their ability to use a straight. Welcome and Good Luck!!! God Bless!

i would suggest the round point also, most important is that the razor is shave ready. be careful of ebay sellers. read the wiki here and see which razors not to buy. the dorko should make a great shaver. if you are going to try and hone it yourself, be sure and read all you can and ask lots of questions and also i might suggest getting the dvd from lynn abrams that is available here also.

My very best suggestion for you is to have the razor sent out to be honed by someone from here. I know your comfortable with sharpening knives and such but a straight razor is very different. Look in the classifieds under services for some people who hone razors for a small fee.

If you are determined to do it yourself then you will need a 1000 grit to remove the old oxidized steel along the edge and the small nicks. The 4000 grit to establish a bevel and the 8000 grit to obtain a "razors" shaving edge.
Please read the Wiki about lapping hones and honing.

Keep in touch and let us know your progress.:)

i think i saw a dorko beeing listed for few months on ebay which looked well beyond worth any effort, except may be cannibalizing the scales.
hope that's not the one you got.

on the round vs. square point, it depends on how good you are with depth perception and coordination.
my first 4 razors were square points and i still prefer these to round ones.

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/m...tr/ttiwwop.gif

dorko ! dorko ! dorko !!

I'll see myself out.............

Thanks guys for all the info and keep it coming. I take into account everyone tells about a subject that I am a novice on. I am confident that I am able to hone the razor satisfactorily but this one has a small dip on the edge making it difficult. And I don't know if this the Dorko you saw on ebay but if the one you looked at has scales made of Bakelite that are dark yellow then that is the one. When my wife showed it too me I couldn't tell exactly what shape the razors edge was in. Really the main reason for even looking at it was the bakelite scales. How far does the razor need to be worn away before it is considered unsalvagable? I would have included a pic of the razor but I don't have a digital camers or web cam so sorry WGH.

Since you've already got a razor coming in I'll leave aside any particular recommendation on which to buy, but I will echo what Randy has said. Get it honed by someone who really knows how and you will be in the best starting position possible. Don't fear spikes or any shaped razor at all. It's just a matter of preference really.

X

OBXCELT,
These are some interesting questions you have asked, and I must say, they are not really new to this forum. The advice that has been given is absolutly 'spot on'. My own experience is well over 150 shaves and I can tell you how I feel about spike point and round point. If you start learning with a round point, wait until you have maybe 30 or 40 shaves under your belt before you try using a spike point. The reason I say this is exactly what has been stated by someone else. You need to work through developing the dexterity and focus to switch from a round point to a spike point. This can only be accomplished through time. If you don't, there is a good possibility you will cut yourself with that spike tip, the ear lobe, ear, upper cheek. But, if you started out with a spike point then you can try a round tip pretty much anytime you want. Just my humble observation, YMMV.
I would also advise you to send your ebay purchase out to someone who has considerably more experience honing than you do at the moment, and get it honed. You really need to have a professionally honed razor to use at least once to compare your honing to later. Once you have it honed do not strop it before you use it. Shave with it first so you know how it is suppost to perform, then go from there.
Also consider any further purchases of used razors from this sites classifieds only. At least until you have some experience under your belt. All the members who list items for sale here do so with the sole intent of providing quality merchandise, at a reasonable price to its members. Each one of them puts their personal reputations on the line to provide this service. The conditions and price ranges are generally accurate, and if they aren't, others will let them know it isn't and why. You can feel assured that what you purchased here is exactly what you will receive when it arrives.

Good luck on your Journey

______________
Ray

5/8 round point, have it honed, get a good strop and read how to use it and then go slow.

Lewis