Thread: I want a Lynn honed razor. Opinions?

Hi guys and ladies,

So, as some of you know, I'm in no position to buy a new razor just yet, and besides, my skill level doesn't justify me getting one yet anyway.

But, I'm hoping in the new year, at tax time, I will get enough of a tax refund that I can buy myself a razor from SRD, and hopefully have it honed by Lynn himself. ( no offense meant to anyone else who may hone there)

I'm thinking, I'll get about 240 Cdn back, and who knows what that will mean in US dollars by then, but I thought I'd try to put away a few dollars until next year, and go for one of those package deals with a brush and strop, as well as the DVD Lynn produced (can't wait to see that!).

I am particularly attracted to the tortoise coloured scales. Real tortoise is not my concern, as it's the shave that really matters to me, but I do like that colouring on the scales, so I was hoping you guys could help me figure out which one I should save up for? There's so many choices and it's a bit overwhelming, so your thoughts may help me narrow it down. I'd then find a way to print off the picture of the set I covet and tape it to my bathroom mirror as motivation. I figure with shipping and adding the option of a 3" wide strop, as well as getting the DVD and another 4.50 for the sweet patchouli option, it will add up to around 300, give or take a few.

I'm not sure if I will just choose the badger brush offered, or the silvertip upgrade. I like the idea of having the brush in a tortoise shell colour, but if I am not mistaken that is only offered on the vintage site, but not SRD? Not sure, I could be wrong, but they say there, that the blades are honed by Lynn as well? Am I mistaken?

I really want to know what it's like to shave with a Lynn honed razor, and I feel by the new year, my skill level should improve enough that I could really enjoy it and get a real feel for it; I'm getting better all the time. Not completely BBS, but a few areas are definitely BBS all thanks to this site, I might add. I also want to know what a razor honed by Lynn looks like under a microscope, so I plan on buying a cheap microscope off Ebay down the road, because I too, want to learn how to hone. And hopefully make a little spare change for the busy Bay st types (Wall st in the US) who want a shave ready razor, but don't have the time nor desire to learn how to hone one themselves. I loved sharpening knives, so I'll probably love sharpening razors, once I get some stones.

So my only items I'm not sure about for the shave set, are the badger brush options and the razor. I'm not convinced I need a silvertip, but what do I really know? I'm a newb. But, I seem to be doing okay with my cheap synthetic for now. I am more concerned about choosing the right razor. I'm not a very hairy guy and I have pretty sensitive skin, if that helps any? And I don't really want a long blade, as I tend to use, in most areas, the first half of the blade (mostly because I have to avoid ingrown bumps), only using the heel and the whole blade for the throat area.

Which razor do you think I should save up for? As always, your astute advice is always appreciated. Thanks gentlemen......and ladies.

Btw, did I mention, I love this site? Well, if not, I'm mentioning it now! And if I could, I'd buy you all a round. I never thought, I'd be so into shaving!

Hi

I would go for a 6/8 with round point. BTW the second razor I bought myself (before I found SRP) is a 6/8 TI that Lynn honed way back when...

Good luck.

Its nice to have something like that in the pipeline to look forward to!

In terms of brushes, I dont have a silvertip. I have a best badger one and I have found it excellent. Personally if it were a choice between spending the money on the razor or on the brush, I'd spend it on the razor because thats going to affect your shave much more! And if you have a synthetic thats working for you then that should be fine.

For the razor, theres loads of choice for the money. I have a couple of DOVO's, a Black Star and a Bismarck and they are both fantastic. DOVO do a 6/8" with imitation tortoise shell that you can get from SRD. Or theres the Boker Edelweisse? I've read some great comments about them.

Anyone else have any good recommendations?

Whatever you get, post some pics and let us know how she shaves!

Here's a starter kit from Vintage blades, has a tortoise Dovo razor, and a matching tortoise handle brush. Comes also with strop, mug, soap. I bought my starter set here and the razor was honed by Lynn to boot.

VintageÂBladesÂLLCÂ::...

-Chief

Originally Posted by BHChieftain

Here's a starter kit from Vintage blades, has a tortoise Dovo razor, and a matching tortoise handle brush. Comes also with strop, mug, soap. I bought my starter set here and the razor was honed by Lynn to boot.

Vintage*Blades*LLC*::...

-Chief

That was the set I was leaning towards. Soooooo purdy!

With the DVD, the 3 inch wide strop, and the badger brush upgrade to silvertip, it's 279.98 plus whatever the shipping is to Canada. Without the silvertip, it's 35 dollars less. Do you think it's worth it to upgrade the brush, or should I just stick with the option given, which is a pure badger brush? I don't know the difference because I've never used an animal hair brush. I really really like the colouring of the handle on those brushes! They don't carry the sweet patchouli on that site, so I was thinking of choosing a soap that is included, like the Bay Rum or Lime. I suppose I can find a patchouli soap elsewhere. Oh, but that blade. How gorgeous is that? And a matching brush, to boot! I wonder if Lynn hones them all or if I have to make a request. I have sent them an email to find out that, and what shipping would be to Canada.

I think we have a winner! Now, if only I could fast forward to tax refund time!

Originally Posted by Stubear

Its nice to have something like that in the pipeline to look forward to!

In terms of brushes, I dont have a silvertip. I have a best badger one and I have found it excellent. Personally if it were a choice between spending the money on the razor or on the brush, I'd spend it on the razor because thats going to affect your shave much more! And if you have a synthetic thats working for you then that should be fine.

For the razor, theres loads of choice for the money. I have a couple of DOVO's, a Black Star and a Bismarck and they are both fantastic. DOVO do a 6/8" with imitation tortoise shell that you can get from SRD. Or theres the Boker Edelweisse? I've read some great comments about them.

Anyone else have any good recommendations?

Whatever you get, post some pics and let us know how she shaves!

So many choices, eh Stubear? Enough to make your head spin. And I like the Bokers too. I always seem to, see a blade I like in antique shop, and find myself saying, 'oooooh, what kind is that?' And invariably, it's a Boker!
Thanks for the suggestions.

Originally Posted by Otto

Hi

I would go for a 6/8 with round point. BTW the second razor I bought myself (before I found SRP) is a 6/8 TI that Lynn honed way back when...

Good luck.

Nice set Otto. I like the handle on that brush. I think the TIs are way out of my budget range for now, but maybe down the road. The long long winding road. I've found myself drawn to those blades too.

Originally Posted by New2CutThroats

I really want to know what it's like to shave with a Lynn honed razor, and I feel by the new year, my skill level should improve enough that I could really enjoy it and get a real feel for it; I'm getting better all the time. Not completely BBS, but a few areas are definitely BBS all thanks to this site, I might add. I also want to know what a razor honed by Lynn looks like under a microscope, so I plan on buying a cheap microscope off Ebay down the road, because I too, want to learn how to hone. And hopefully make a little spare change for the busy Bay st types (Wall st in the US) who want a shave ready razor, but don't have the time nor desire to learn how to hone one themselves. I loved sharpening knives, so I'll probably love sharpening razors, once I get some stones.

It's actually pretty hard to describe exactly what a properly honed razor should feel like. Of course, it should cut effortlessly, shave without any pulling or irritation, etc... The thing is, one of the reasons you get a Lynn honed razor is so that you will have a benchmark or a reference point to evaluate other razors. By that I mean that since you know that the razor is properly honed you can rule out a substandard edge as a possible cause if you are having problems. As long as you don't trash the edge it should shave you perfectly, if it doesn't you probably have other issues. For that reason alone a Honemeister edge can be your best ally as you work your way up the learning curve. Setting economics aside, now is the right time for a properly honed razor.

If you want to learn to hone you should have something to compare your work with. Again, get one of Lynn's razors and you will have something to aim for as you learn to hone. BTW, if you want to provide honing services for others you should know that most of the credible guys have honed a bunch (I mean a LOT) before hanging out their shingle. I think Lynn honed about a thousand before he "went pro". Now, the guy is a honing machine.

You sound like me. I love to sharpen knives, and have been using these two old Norton Oil Stones, 11.5x2.5 for years now. You can shave with my knives, that's how I got into this...Anyway. SRD and Lynn is great. You can't go wrong with them. IMHO. They have the best prices on Dovo razors. Lynn is the becnch mark for sharpness with a lot of guys. You'll be happy with a Dovo Tortoise scale razor it sounds. Save up and get yourself a Mastro Livi Razor. I love mine. Also, You may eventually get a silver tip badger. They are top of the line, and if you don't get one now, you may buy one later....

Rich

A well honed razor just mows down hair. Picture standing a bunch of unsharpened pencils up on end on a table, and then swiping your hand across the table. The pencils just fall.

Different grinds will effect how it feels even though the razor can be equally as sharp, but a truly sharp razor will allow you to work more on your technique.