Shopping for that first razor...

I think my postcount will speak volumes without me having to elaborate.

I'm on the brink of getting fed up with the 'normal' way of shaving, and wanted to try out this 'straight razor' phenomenon i've been hearing whispers about.

Now finding a razor has proved a bit more difficult than i figured. After weeks of searching, it would appear no retail store (where i'm located anyway) carries this type of product.

However! I did manage to find a few different models in a couple local antique shops.


Now, is this the way to go for someone just getting into it? I know it depends on the condition, more on that in a second...

Just having trouble deciding on whether i should invest the time and effort in sourcing a decent "antique", and start with that - or simply order something new, online, that i wouldnt really have to invest a lot of time into.

And if i'm looking at these 'antiques' what are the telltale signs of wear i should be wary of, and which are more acceptable?

As far as names go, i've been hoping to stumble upon a TI, or a Dovo.
Most of the ones I've seen over the past few days were made in germany, a couple in the USA, and thats about it.

Thoughts?

Your best bet is to order a razor from the Classifieds here or from one of the trusted online vendors.

You will most likely not be able to shave with a razor from the antique store without sending it out for work.

You will also need a strop.
Check the links in my sig for more information.

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Originally Posted by Rome

I think my postcount will speak volumes without me having to elaborate.

I'm on the brink of getting fed up with the 'normal' way of shaving, and wanted to try out this 'straight razor' phenomenon i've been hearing whispers about.

Now finding a razor has proved a bit more difficult than i figured. After weeks of searching, it would appear no retail store (where i'm located anyway) carries this type of product.

However! I did manage to find a few different models in a couple local antique shops.


Now, is this the way to go for someone just getting into it? I know it depends on the condition, more on that in a second...

Just having trouble deciding on whether i should invest the time and effort in sourcing a decent "antique", and start with that - or simply order something new, online, that i wouldnt really have to invest a lot of time into.

And if i'm looking at these 'antiques' what are the telltale signs of wear i should be wary of, and which are more acceptable?

As far as names go, i've been hoping to stumble upon a TI, or a Dovo.
Most of the ones I've seen over the past few days were made in germany, a couple in the USA, and thats about it.

Thoughts?

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Originally Posted by Rome

Now, is this the way to go for someone just getting into it?

I would follow Slart's advice to you... start with a good vendor or the classifieds.


And if i'm looking at these 'antiques' what are the telltale signs of wear i should be wary of, and which are more acceptable?

Here is the thing... unless you know how to answer these questions (there is tons of info available on the wiki and in a forum search), you are better off starting out in the classifieds or from a vendor. It's really easy to walk into a bad deal by missing something that you'd catch with a bit of experience.


Thoughts?

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These are my thoughts, I hope they are helpful in some way.

Dave

I bought a antique store straight for my first for $12. By the time I got it sent out and honed, I could have gotten it cheaper (and shave ready) from the classifieds here. You can easily find shave ready razors for $25-$30 from the classifieds (if you are on a budget). But I really love shopping the antique stores so I don't mind.

Also many fine straights available from Whipped Dog Straight Razor Sales for $21-$40.

I'd also like to put my vote in for the classifieds.

Straight Razors - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

You can sort by price if you are on a budget. Usually it is mentioned if the razor is in shave ready condition, and if it says it is here, you can trust it. That is not always the case from other stores or factories.

If you are on a real cheep budget, I'd like to suggest whipped dog. He specilizes in cheep starter kits for beginners.

Oh, and Welcome to SRP!

Great to see so many responses so quickly.

So as i suspected, my 'dream scenario' of finding a diamond in the rough at an antique store is more a pipe dream than reality. I suppose i'll have to come down to earth, and look at online ordering.

Now these classifieds, is each ad put up by a different member? or is it some sort of centrally run shop?

Alembic, thanks for the link. I've looked through that site, and that was definitely in my top picks for any order i'm bound to place.
Now to clarify, the upgraded strop you refer to... that 3'' speaks to its width, i hope...?

The Whipped Dog looks like a great place as well, but I'm willing to invest a little more. I know in some things, you get what you pay for, and i dont want my first experience to (potentially) be sullied by thriftyness.


One of the reasons i was primarily leaning towards an antique store find is... well from all the background reading i've done this far, there seems to be a general concensus that the quality of older razors is hardly even matched by todays offerings. And again, while i'm not willing to drop several hundred dollars on my beginner experience, I am looking for quality. I havent felt a proper shave since my last trip to Europe, and thats been far too long.

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Originally Posted by Rome

...my 'dream scenario' of finding a diamond in the rough at an antique store is more a pipe dream than reality. I suppose i'll have to come down to earth, and look at online ordering.

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You can find diamonds in the rough at an antique store, but until you have an idea of what you're looking for you're more likely to just find something rough. Even if you find a good razor in an antique store it will likely need to be honed before it will give a decent shave.

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Originally Posted by Rome

Now these classifieds, is each ad put up by a different member? or is it some sort of centrally run shop?

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The classifieds are posted by the members. It is not a centrally run shop. SRP is kind enough to give us a place to list the items that we want to buy sell or trade.

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Originally Posted by Rome

...the upgraded strop you refer to... that 3'' speaks to its width, i hope...?

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Indeed. The strop is three inches wide.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rome

The Whipped Dog looks like a great place as well, but I'm willing to invest a little more. I know in some things, you get what you pay for, and i dont want my first experience to (potentially) be sullied by thriftyness.

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To some extent you get what you pay for when it comes to razors, especially when you buy new. It also applies to some extent with soaps or creams, strops, brushes, and everything else involved in this hobby. The idea that one needs to break the bank to get a good shave is wrong though. A person could get a perfectly good shave with as little as about $50 or $60 worth of equipment, assuming they buy the right equipment.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rome

One of the reasons i was primarily leaning towards an antique store find is... well from all the background reading i've done this far, there seems to be a general concensus that the quality of older razors is hardly even matched by todays offerings. And again, while i'm not willing to drop several hundred dollars on my beginner experience, I am looking for quality. I havent felt a proper shave since my last trip to Europe, and thats been far too long.

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There are some very good current production razors that will shave every bit as well as the razors of old. In my opinion, dollar for dollar it is hard to beat a good antique razor. You can find a lot of great antiques that are in shave ready condition for less money than it would cost for a brand new shave ready razor.

Welcome to SRP.

+++1 on all the advice offered in the previous posts. If you are new to straight razor shaving, check the SRP Classifieds or one of the vendors who advertise here. You can even email or call the latter (vendors) and discuss your needs with them. They will be very helpful assisting you in making a choice.

Consider too, the fact that you will need a straight razor set to begin shaving. That means that you will need at least a razor and a strop. If you want to go "whole hog" you can purchase a razor, strop, mug, brush, and soap all at once. Doing so, you will be able to get a complete set at a slight discount, as opposed to their total cost if you bought them all separately.

Just my 2 cents.

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Originally Posted by Rome

So as i suspected, my 'dream scenario' of finding a diamond in the rough at an antique store is more a pipe dream than reality. I suppose i'll have to come down to earth, and look at online ordering.

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Not at all. You can still find great straight at antique stores. I've found some really nice ones from $10-$20. You just have to send them out for honing and maybe a little bit of restoration depending on their condition. Since you indicated you're not trying to be uber thrifty, this shouldn't be a problem. You'll still come out cheaper than buying a new one.

Appreciate everyone throwing their pennies into the pot here.

Like i said my initial plan was to try and find out what some good//bad telltale signs are of an antique razor, and hunt in that vein.
But after reading here, you guys put the fear of God in me and i'm going with a new purchase.

Searching through the different stores wouldnt have been the big deal, but rather trying to locate a good honing place locally, and then gambling on how much i can rely on their quality and workmanship.

I'm gonna save that experience for later, as i went with the set from SRD that someone had suggested earlier. Not a bad price, just over 180 all in (I'm all the way up in Canada, few extra shipping dollars).
I cant wait to get the stuff, i'm almost itching to see a package in my mailbox. Almost as much as this scruff is starting to itch me, hah.

I'll keep reading to bolster my all aruond knowledge of the craft, but i wonder: Is there a specific guide for searching through antique stores? Like a writeup on what one should look for, or stay away, or possible price ranges. Whats easily fixable, and what makes it too far gone?

I haven't been straight shaving very long, but I have realized that I enjoy hunting in antique stores for the older razors. I recommend doing lots of reading from the Wiki, and in the Workshop area of SRP. There is lots of info on how to restore, replace, buff, etc.

For my first little project, I looked for something that was not too far gone. That way, I had some sense of what it was going to take to hand sand a blade and buff the razor/scales. Since I live in a condo downtown T.O., my tools and space need to stay under control. I can afford a dremel, but I can't afford a bend grinder that needs a new house to live in!

I'd recommend to start small, and work safely.

Cheers,

Maxi

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Originally Posted by Rome

Is there a specific guide for searching through antique stores? Like a writeup on what one should look for, or stay away, or possible price ranges. Whats easily fixable, and what makes it too far gone?

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There was a thread on ebay razors, may be that'll be useful.
Prices vary a lot, so you're on your own there.
What's easily fixable - depends on what you call 'easy'. Chips within the bevel are doable, beyond that you must really want the razor. Warped blades are unfixable, hone wear is unfixable too, but a regrind may hide it. Broken scales can be replaced.

A 6/8 might feel better than a 5/8 i have a mustache so I don't need to maneauver around my lip. Do yourself a favor get a round end razor, you will save yourself some blood.

My vote is round end also