Thread: I think I bought a bad razor...

I'm a poor college student looking to save money on shaving by doing SR shaving. I bought this razor: Amazon.com: Parker SR1 Stainless Steel Straight Edge Razor and 5 Shark Super Stainless blades: Health & Personal Care

From everything I'm reading on here, I hear no mention of razors with replaceable blades. Should I look for a new razor? If not, should I get a strop? I really can't spend more than 50 dollars on a razor right now. If anyone can recommend anything, I'd be eternally grateful.

What you got is a shavette style razor, and you can use them just fine without a strop.
One thing to keep in mind though is they are much more harsh then a true straight razor.
What I would do is stick with the shavette until I could save some money for a razor from the classifields here and then get a cheap strop, but that's all up to you.
Do you have and soap/cream and a brush yet?

Yes, what you bought is indeed a replacable blade razor. You could have done worse, but it won't save you any money. A decent razor would be a Gold Dollar. I haven't used one myself, but people speak highly of them and they're inexpensive. While I usually wouldn't recomment eBay to a beginner, you can get one there for well under $50. You will indeed need a strop and watch the videos to learn to use it properly. With any brand new razor, you'll need to have it honed. They don't come shave ready. All told, you can probably do all this within your budget, or close to it. Good luck and I hope you stick with it.

Aside from the razor, if you need a brush, soap and bowl you can get a Van der hagen brand boar brush , soap and bowl for about ten bucks at a walgreens or Rite Aid. They sell the brush alone for about 5-7 but the "kit" saves a few bucks.
Check the classifieds for starter razor, they are alway coming up.

Oh yeah Welcome to SRP

Thanks for the quick replies. I do have the soap, brush, and bowl. The brush is boar's hair. Is it generally cheaper to buy on the classifieds here than other places?

Your best bet would be to buy a razor from a member here at SRP, please check the classifieds and dont be afraid to ask questions.

Originally Posted by mdchap01

Thanks for the quick replies. I do have the soap, brush, and bowl. The brush is boar's hair. Is it generally cheaper to buy on the classifieds here than other places?

At the stage you are at and the knowledge you currently retain it is generally cheaper to shop the classifieds here than most other places IMO. As you gain knowledge this might change. Also many forum members have websites with "beginner" razors. Look for posts by gssixgun or holli4pirating in the vendors section I know that they both have some great beginners razors right now and they are both great guys and neither will steer you wrong. They both sell quality razors at great prices and they are actually shave ready, which is a big deal.
I have no relation to either of these gentleman's sites, just a very happy customer with nothing, but praise for both.

As for bowls, I still use my VDH bowl quite often despite all of the bowls I have turned myself.
Brushes I don't know as I make my own, but if you search for Frank brushes on this forum there has been some praise for their great price recently.

-G

Originally Posted by mdchap01

Thanks for the quick replies. I do have the soap, brush, and bowl. The brush is boar's hair. Is it generally cheaper to buy on the classifieds here than other places?

That depends on what you want to buy
But there are plenty of people who sell shaveready beginner razors for about 40ish dollars in the classifieds.

And there's Whipped Dog Straight Razor Sales

who specializes in low-cost vintage razors, and inexpensive strops (you'll need a strop).

It will take you a while to recover your investment. And if you develop "Razor Acquisition Disorder", all bets are off.<g>


Charles

Originally Posted by leadduck

money. A decent razor would be a Gold Dollar. I haven't used one myself, but people speak highly of them and they're inexpensive. While I usually wouldn't recomment eBay to a beginner, you can get one there for well under $50.

I went that route. It cost me 20$ for the razor, an extra 20$ to get it honed. I learned to shave with this razor, it can give me a good shave.

Then I bough a razor for 20$ off the classifieds (shave ready). It shaves just as close, but it`s SOOOO MUCH smoother than the gold dollar. The build quality just doesn't compare to the gold dollar, you can tell that guy's who built these things years ago were incredible craftsmen. The gold dollar is an ugly beast, the craftsmanship stinks.

So my suggestion is to be patient and look at the classifieds often, as well as whipped dog's site. Then jump on an inexpensive vintage razor when it comes up.

Good luck mdchap01 !!