Howdy! Advice on next razor?

So my girlfriend got me the ruprazor.com gold dollar plus filly strop kit for Christmas. I'm digging it. My technique is coming along, the shaves are going pretty well and most importantly, shaving has become something that I look forward too instead of a chore to rush through when I get tired of having the stubble.

So, since this has become my new obsession I'm looking for advice on a second razor. Why get a second razor? Why not :)

Anyway, my facial hair isn't very dense, but is dark and decently tough. I'm currently sporting a 'stache and goatee (requiring a bit of precision work); but this is apt to change at a moments notice.

So, whaddya all suggest for a second razor? I won't be getting anything for another couple of months or so (to reduce extraneous factors while improving technique) but figured I should start looking in case something awesome came up in the classifieds.

To reiterate, the current razor is a Rup Razor gold dollar, 6/8 round point hollow ground. Should I be looking for wedges, half hollows, spike points? I'm looking at this as a next step in finding what I like best.

Thanks all!

Right now, I'd go for this one:
http://revisor-solingen.de/assets/im...b_PICT0099.jpg

since there's plenty of time just look around every now and then and you'll probably get an idea what you'd like to pick.

Check out razor clubs here in the razors sub forum. That will give you an idea of what other guys favs are. The only way to really know if you will like a wedge or a larger or smaller blade it to try it. IME I've never met a type of straight razor I didn't like. :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

The only way to really know if you will like a wedge or a larger or smaller blade it to try it.

---

Precisely! Though other people's experiences are helpful :) I'll check out the clubs. Awesome idea.

As a previous post stated, I've got plenty of time to check out stuff that comes down the line until something really says "Hey, you /neeeeeeed/ me!" haha

Part of what makes it so much fun is experimenting with so many different blades. Then if you get into honing them it is a whole other world of variety.

It sounds like you might be looking for something different than your Gold Dollar. I think two of the more significant variables include blade width and blade tip. I consider blade width the biggest difference between shave action.

My suggestion is to buy a blade with a smaller width blade than the Gold Dollar for comparison.

NapalmCheese,

The previous posts offer you some excellent advice. Besides the clubs, check the SRP Classifieds and peruse the websites of the different vendors who advertise here at SRP--Straight Razor Designs, Vintage Blades, Classic Shaving, etc. Half the fun of buying a new razor is surfing the internet and finding out what's available in terms of quality brands of str8 razors, blade styles and sizes, scales, etc. There's no need to rush.

Of course, if you are looking for precision you may want to consider a spike point or a Spanish point str8 razor for your second purchase.

As for me...This is what I would like to add to my collection...

Thanks all for the advice. Experimenting is awesome, long live research! :)

If you already have a full hollow, maybe check out a 1/4 hollow or a wedge. I have a full hollow, a 1/2 hollow, and a 1/4 hollow razor, they all feel different and I like the contrast. If you get a 1/4 hollow and decide you don't like it, then you'll know you are a full hollow kind of guy, and you can always sell it here on the classified (but I bet you won't...)

-Chief

What razor to purchase is a personal thing but I can make some suggestions. First see fif there are other members in your area and meet with them. Ask if you can see their collection and maybe try one. Since you have some time look through your local antique shop and flea markets for a vintage razor in good condition made in Solingen, Sheffield or the US. There is a list of razors to avoid in the WIKI as well as a list of better known vintage razor manufacturers. If you are looking for new the razors mentioned above are good as are the new Bokers and Dovos. You'll usually get more bang for the buck buying vintage from local shops.

Good luck.

Judging by the way you asked the question, it sounds like you're thinking about a brand new razor for a second but want to start collecting. Have you considered buying vintage razors? Like yourself, I bought my first razor, brand new, shaved a few times with it, then bought another brand new razor. I had spent over $200.00 for the first two so my thoughts were "this can get expensive" because I wanted to expand my collecion. I started looking at vintage razors, bought a few, cleaned and honed them up and shaved with them. There's something about shaving with a piece of history that I can't explain. It's pretty cool to know that something in use 100+ years ago can still be used today. You can find plenty of fine razors between $30 to $50 where the blades are in great shape with just a little work. ebay is where I've gotten most of mine and have spent somewhere around $300 but have gotten 9 razors with some of them in perfect shape. One of them is over 200 years old.

Just a little food for thought!

Antique stores were actually my first thought in finding another razor. I get what you mean shaving with a piece of history. All in all I imagine it's going to be a good time :)