Thread: Looking to buy my first razor - where...

So,

I'm looking to buy my first razor but a) I don't know how much I should be paying b) although I have read the beginners guide to straight razors, I have no idea which brand to purchase and c) should I look for a store or purchase one online?

Any help would be appreciated because I'd like to join the elite club of straight razor shaving :-D

Thanks.

just take your time and read around all the info you seek can be found in the forums. A lot of times when you rush into things is when you get into trouble. So welcome to the site read and when you are up to speed you will feel a lot more confident in purchasing your first razor.

Have a look through the Vendors. That's a good place to start. Another is to click on a few of the banners here. They should be reputable.
Finally, SRD were offering lifetime honing. It may not be running any longer, but it might swing the deal for you if you wanted to avoid getting into honing in the future.

As a relative newbie in this with a steep learning curve I'll chime in to give you my two centavos.....

Generally, anything purchased from the forum classifieds is going to be very good. (It's a small world here and everyone eventually knows everyone and word of mouth is king). I have very high regards for members here and have purchased some truly high quality stuff here.

Vendors that advertise here are also highly regarded: KenRup (who I've had the pleasure of touring his shop), Lynn at Straight Razor Designs, Classic Shaving, Vintage Blades, Tony Miller (Gawd, have I forgotten anyone?) all are top notch and will make good your purchases.

The question is not "Where do I find good stuff?" the question should be "What is my best purchase decision given the stated conditions?" Because the selection options are seemingly endless.

Lean back, relax and ask questions. There are many here who will be glad to advise who have tons of experience. You will be guided on what think about when making a purchase decision: not only what to do, but what to avoid.

For my learning curve, stropping was my downfall. The first razor was not as nearly important (they all shave pretty well, new or used) as getting a practice stop and learning how not to destroy a fine piece of leather.......

mkestenbaum,

Welcome to SRP...

I agree...As stated in the previous posts, take your time and do your research here on SRP and peruse the selection of razors available at various online merchants such as Straight Razor Designs, Vintage Blades, etc. before making your purchase.

I found that you can pay anywhere from $70.00 to $900.00 dollars or more for a full hollow ground or extra full hollow ground str8 razor made by Dovo, Thiers-Issard or Boker--all brands I would consider for a first purchase. The difference in price for a new str8 razor is usually due to the different scales/handle and/or blade decoration. A $70.00 no frills razor will provide as decent a shave as the $900 version. It just won't look as flashy.

I must confess that I am a big fan of online shopping. My experience with purchases from both SRD and VB, both highly reputable merchants, was quite enjoyable. Their prices were highly competitive, delivery fast and their service was first-rate. Unless you insist on trying the feel of the razor in your hand before buying it, online shopping is the way to go, IMHO.

Vintage Blades also has an entire page of information about str8 razors for you to consult. Look it over...I found it to be a good starting point. SRP's wiki is also chock full of info. too that provides a good deal of knowledge about str8 razors, although I myself initially found the sheer amount of information available in it somewhat overwhelming as a newbie.

After conducting your online research, consider emailing or calling the owner of an online store that carries the brand of razor you like. Ask them some specific questions and get some recommendations from them for your first str8 razor purchase. I emailed Jim Ayers of Vintage Blades, for example, when I was thinking about purchasing my first str8 razor about a month ago. He responded very quickly to my inquiry and was very helpful. I suspect that Don Addleman of SRD would be equally helpful as well.

The final choice, however, is completely up to you. Whichever razor you choose, though, make sure that the merchant includes professional honing with the purchase. Irrespective of your preferred brand or price, it is counterproductive to purchase a str8 razor that hasn't been professionally honed and will lead to a poor introduction to str8 razor shaving.

I hope that this information helps you in making your purchase. Welcome to the world of str8 razor shaving.

Just spent $92(for 2 razors- the 82 and the 208) with Rup. lifetime honing if you purchase before Dec 31. Can't wait.

Originally Posted by mkestenbaum

b) although I have read the beginners guide to straight razors, I have no idea which brand to purchase

Read the Wiki:
Good Straight Razor Brands - Straight Razor Place Wiki

The classifieds here is a good place to look. Remember to get it shave ready.