Thread: Intro and questions

Welcome to SRP. I am on the verge of 27 and I can say with a three pass shave I get a shadow the next morning. However, I usually do two passes each morning and do not get a shadow until 8:00. One pass, and at 5:00 there is definitely a shadow and the shave is not perfectly smooth, but it looks clean.
I used to get bumps that were both acne and contact dermatitis, if there is white substance in the bumps, its acne. Since using the AOS sandlewood shave soap (I am going to try SRD next) I do not get bumps and now that my touch is lighter, the razor burn is almost nothing. Good prep, and good soap makes a huge difference.
I agree with Robin that SRD does things well and I have bought products from them. Plus you get the advice of Lynn or Don who are probably the two best minds in the world on straight razors and shaving.
If you are on a budget though, I would start with a cheap shave ready razor from the classifieds and try the Rup Razor beginners strop because if you go buy a $80+ strop, you are very likely to nick it and hence waste extra money. SO I would start slow. I personally recommend the Jemico paddle strop because one side is pasted, it is small, and because its a paddle it help prevent a new person form rolling the edge. It costs about $30 +shipping here JEMICO STRAIGHT RAZOR SHARPENING STROP WITH CLAMP - NEW - eBay (item 360206700956 end time Jan-09-10 12:51:35 PST)
Then, you can move up as you go along. THere are also good badger brushes on eBay for $15 with a stand Badger Hair Shaving Brush w/ Wood Handle & Holder Stand - eBay (item 350289433713 end time Dec-12-09 18:59:45 PST) here and I use one and it works nicely. If you desire to spend $70 or more for the same thing, be my guest.
It takes a while to get experience, but once you get the hang of a straight razor, you won't have anything else. I even travel with mine now because to me its the best looking shave you can get.
Good Luck!

Thanks for the information guys. I'm going to have a good look into it this afternoon and see what I can find.

I'll let you know my final choices and how things come along as I progress from beginner to master chef

I look forward to sharing my experiences with you all.

Todd

I've been shaving a month or so and have tested ~25 razors. Besides the obvious ones (Philharmonic, puma, etc) my best razors are a Morris (Solingen Steel), a No Name (Sheffield Steel) an a Geneva Cutlery Co (No Steel Stamp). None of the three cost me more than $25. If you skim to top couple pages of the Razors forum, there was a "top 5 makers" list. Probably hard to go wrong with one of the makers from there.

Originally Posted by IanS

If you skim to top couple pages of the Razors forum, there was a "top 5 makers" list. Probably hard to go wrong with one of the makers from there.

Actually, a lot. Because they are hyped, they are generally overpriced. Because they are overpriced and reasonably rare, many are sold that are of dubious quality, to say the least. In short, totally not recommended for a beginner, unless you have more money than sense. There are other issues, too. Dubl Ducks are known to have massive problems with their scales. While they are good shavers (and reasonably easy to hone because of their hollow grind), I fail to see what the hype is about. Same for Filarmonicas, by the way. Given the choice between 5 no name Solingen vintage razors and one of the hyped brand names, I would go for the lot of 5 any time.

They are hyped because they aren't of dubious quality. And overpriced doesn't come into play as you aren't going to pay $100+ for your first razor unless you're buying new. I'd assume even a noob would have the common sense not to buy a razor that is obviously damaged. I can't comment on Dubl Ducks scales, but I do have LOTS of generic Solingens and I can say with confidence just from seeing pictures of Dubl scales that they appear far better than the average generic scales.


"Given the choice between 5 no name Solingen vintage razors and one of the hyped brand names, I would go for the lot of 5 any time."

Anyone who wouldn't is a fool. Just because a razor that the majority of the forums considers to be one of the best isn't five times as good as another doesn't change the fact that it is going to be a safer choice for getting a quality blade. I'd rather spend $30 on a JR &son than a John Doe & son. And outside of a few exceptions (BIG W&B, Mint Henkles/ducks/Fils, a few others) the price premium you are basing your argument on just isn't there.

Originally Posted by IanS

They are hyped because they aren't of dubious quality.

They are hyped because people who have seen maybe 20 razors think they've seen it all, and can extrapolate from one specimen. If Lynn, Glen, Max, Ivan, Nelson or any person I trust tell me to buy a specific razor, I will. And that's that.

Originally Posted by IanS

And overpriced doesn't come into play as you aren't going to pay $100+ for your first razor unless you're buying new.

And how exactly are you going to get a Filarmonica (to take the latest hype as an example) for less than USD 100? Trial and error on eBay? Well, good luck. Of course it can happen, but that would be pure luck.

Originally Posted by IanS

I'd assume even a noob would have the common sense not to buy a razor that is obviously damaged.

Beginners join this site to acquire knowledge. Apparently, there is at least one exception to this rule. Still, you may want to refrain from making assumptions.

Originally Posted by IanS

I can't comment on Dubl Ducks scales, but I do have LOTS of generic Solingens and I can say with confidence just from seeing pictures of Dubl scales that they appear far better than the average generic scales.

That's why I said that pictures can be deceptive. Dubl Duck scales suck big time. They are among the worst scales ever made. Especially for the price tag that comes with them. 9 out of 10 have issues. 1 out of 50 is perfect.

Originally Posted by IanS

"Given the choice between 5 no name Solingen vintage razors and one of the hyped brand names, I would go for the lot of 5 any time."

Anyone who wouldn't is a fool. Just because a razor that the majority of the forums considers to be one of the best isn't five times as good as another doesn't change the fact that it is going to be a safer choice for getting a quality blade.

I challenge this claim.

Originally Posted by IanS

I'd rather spend $30 on a JR &son than a John Doe & son. And outside of a few exceptions (BIG W&B, Mint Henkles/ducks/Fils, a few others) the price premium you are basing your argument on just isn't there.

Right. I have here in my collection 5 no name Solingen razors (like the fabled Lützenkirchen "Seal") that cost me less than EUR 100. All in original and excellent shape, one mint. I'd like to have an excellent, preferably mint, Puma 89 for EUR 100, please. PM me for shipping details. In a squeeze, a mint Satinwedge will do.

How many pages is that thread? When I see names like W&B, JR&Son etc in 20+ lists your argument that users have "only" used 20 razors becomes moot.

A fil just ended for ~$30 on eBay. Yes it's got a little rust and hone wear, but less than an hour and I could have it shave ready (I was #2 bidder on a value bid of ~$20 ($12 shipping)). I also got my Fil off eBay. Other than replacement scales it appeared to be in NOS condition. Turned out that it wasn't, but that doesn't affect what I paid.

I have the common decency to assume that people are able to recognize that damage is something to avoid. I'd have to have my head pretty far up my own ass to try and believe otherwise.

Being mint has nothing to do with how well a razor shaves. A worn Quality razor will shave better than a no name in Excellent/Mint the majority of the time. I'd rather have a 62 Jag E with a rebuilt engine and worn interior than a mint 2010 Dodge Neon. I'm willing to bet the Jag will perform better too.

You might want to get down off your high horse and actually read my post before you start acting like a dick by completely ignoring what I said and making statements that make it clear you have no response to the claims I've actually made. Such as rebutting that Ducks can be had under $100 if they aren't in mint condition by requesting a mint condition Duck for under $100. It just makes you look too full of yourself to bother reading before you start arguing.