Thread: Gift

Hi! I am new here, obviously...and I have a question

My boyfriend is interested in a straight razor for his birthday but we know nothing about them.

He is not looking to use it...it will just be a display piece. He talked about wanting one that is Sterling Silver (I dont even know if they make these or not).

I have no idea where to begin. I looked at a few antique stores and online but I dont want to pay too much for something that isnt worth it.

Any input would be great. I am looking to stay under $200...closer to $100 if possible. I want something nice to give to him.

Thoughts?? His birthday is the beginning of September, so I know I need to get going on this

Thanks so much!!

Shame on you! It's a bit of an offence to take a good razor & not use it, but you could try the classifieds here if vintage is his thing. There are plenty for sale at a broad spectrum of prices & if he get's the urge, it will be a good shaver.
Buying a quality new blade would seem a bit of a waste of money, as it'll only go on display.
The other option is to buy some cheap crap & have decent scales put on it. It'll look the part, but will be completely useless until it's used for buttering toast!
P.S. Sterling scaled razors do come up on the bay every now & then, but they'll be out of those budgets.
Good luck!

laugh...wellllll after reading around here, I didnt realize that it was such a big deal...maybe he will want to start using it.

Maybe I will get him a good razor, that looks nice and is usable...then a 'how to'...get him into another "hobby".

Thanks for your input

If you really do think he may want to use it sometime, put a link here to the razors you're considering & we can let you know if they're any good.
Vintage will be the best value for money, but maybe not what he'd want.
This site would be his best "how to". There's all the information & advice you need to learn & continue to develop here, plus advances on old principles by many of the members. We may take it a little seriously at times!

awesome...I will look at the classifieds here...I really have no other place to look...LOL

thanks so much!

Nearly all razors in the classifieds are shave ready. Just check that with the seller. After that it's down to personal choice. They'll all be good razors.
5/8" round points are recommended as a starter, but if he'll display it, just buy on aesthetics.

Excellent Choice!! I was given an old razor when I was a wee lad and I kept if for years as a display/toy but ultimately there is no use in having a razor as a display unless you know how to use it .. I think that is why I ended up looking at straight shaving. It completely changes the way you look at shaving and male grooming. I never really gave much thought to it before and hated having to shave but now my shaves are something I look forward to and I am always on the lookout for a nice new aftershave (which the wife loves) and have even .. (I hate to admit it) ... considered moisterising in order to help the shaving process. (which the wife will never know as she has been nagging me for years and I dont want to give her the satisfaction of knowing she was right .. again)

REDUCED: Thiers-Issard Stainless 5/8 Carbon - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

FS: Bengal Cast Steel, 5/8, Ivory - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

REDUCED: "Champion" Bruxelles/Solingen 5/8 - Wickedly Raked! - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

REDUCED: Dovo Ivory Micarta INOX 5/8 Ice-Tempered Frozen Steel - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

THIERS-ISSARD: NEW Spartacus 5/8" Hollow Ground Straight Razor - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

thoughts???

Originally Posted by kendrajay

REDUCED: Thiers-Issard Stainless 5/8 Carbon - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

FS: Bengal Cast Steel, 5/8, Ivory - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

REDUCED: "Champion" Bruxelles/Solingen 5/8 - Wickedly Raked! - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

REDUCED: Dovo Ivory Micarta INOX 5/8 Ice-Tempered Frozen Steel - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

THIERS-ISSARD: NEW Spartacus 5/8" Hollow Ground Straight Razor - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

thoughts???

Personally, I like the Bengall the best and it's also the cheapest. If you think he'd like something that looks (and is) old school, this is it.

My second would be the Dovo Ivory Micarta INOX but I think that one is the most expensive. I'm not real big on the gold wash but it's a gorgeous razor and would look great on display.

Bonus is that both of them are listed as shave-ready should he ever decide to use them.

I would suggest you get an old Sheffield wedge such as this one here if it is going to be for display only. After the smoke clears if that acquisition stimulates the lucky man's interest in possibly going straight (pun intended ) then introduce him to this website and let him decide if straight razor shaving is for him.