Thread: New or vintage restored?

Greetings all...For my sins I have been using a Cyril R Slater straight for the past 5+ years, and I am belatedly looking to upgrade to a quality blade. I found the following purveyor of shave ready razors in the UK:

http://www.theinvisibleedge.co.uk/

They sell new, and restored vintage razors; where best should I commit my hard earned £££, New or Vintage?

Also has anyone on here at SRP used Invisible Edge, can you recommend them?


Any guidance would be gratefully received.

John

I've bought a few razors from Steve and I would highly recommend him! I can also attest to the shave readiness of his razors.

If you are buying from somewhere like Steve then I reckon you are fine to get a new or classic razor TBH, either would be good. If it was a choice between a new razor from Steve or a classic off eBay, then I'd say go for Steve every time to a new guy.

But a cleaned up classic from a known and reputable vendor will be fine!

I'm no expert by any means and I've only very recently gotten the hang of straight razor shaving, but I've been working through the ins and outs of this thing for the better part of three years. In my humble opinion (read: amateur), I find that vintage razors are better than new ones. Here's my rationale:

1) modern straight razors are difficult to judge on quality as they are easily mass-produced from less than optimal materials and are not easily distinguishable from actual quality products. For example: I purchased a new Fromm straight razor three years ago from a barber supply shop under the impression that it was "shave ready". It was not and I have not been able to get it to be "shave ready" despite professional honing and stropping, etc. It turns out that the quality of the steel used in the blade is poor because it is an alloy that just doesn't take an edge that well. It is my belief that metal alloys that have only become available in modern times are used to the exclusion of actual quality steel that takes an edge better. This quality steel is found more commonly in vintage razors because the alloys didn't exist when they were made.

2) Vintage straight razors are often less expensive than modern ones because they are "used", but not ruined.

3) If a razor survives to become "vintage" it usually means that it was effective enough as a razor to be kept around for a long time. Basically, if it was good enough for other people to use, then it is probably good enough for you to use.

Once again, this is just my rather junior opinion and should not represent doctine. As for the "theinvisibleedge", sorry, can't help you, but perhaps other more senior members could weigh in. Good luck with your purchase. As a last caveat, I now own a vintage razor I purchased from the classifieds and it is working better than the new one I purchased for twice the amount.
Best,
Mike

I'd go vintage. But... I'm a vintage kind of guy.

And I've heard great things about The Invisible Edge. From them, get whatever strikes your fancy.

Originally Posted by NinjaMike20

3) If a razor survives to become "vintage" it usually means that it was effective enough as a razor to be kept around for a long time.

Ditto. That's what I say about my 200 year old razor I haven't gotten around to honing yet.

Thanks guys, I have instinctively been leaning towards vintage, and your comments have pretty much made my mind up. It's also reassuring to know the The Invisible Edge is a reputable quality vendor. With a birthday and Christmas coming up, I must be able to make the case for at least a new razor and strop with 'er indoors. Wish me luck!

I bought a new dovo invisible edge in the kit I started with. It works great! I've purchased a dozen blades since then and all of them are vintage. The only other new blade i'd consider purchasing is a custom one...

Overall though,the Dovo was a great starter razor. It came "shave ready." That'll be the biggest issue for you purchasing a blade. Make sure you get something that is shave ready.

Originally Posted by Stubear

I've bought a few razors from Steve and I would highly recommend him! I can also attest to the shave readiness of his razors.

If you are buying from somewhere like Steve then I reckon you are fine to get a new or classic razor TBH, either would be good. If it was a choice between a new razor from Steve or a classic off eBay, then I'd say go for Steve every time to a new guy.

But a cleaned up classic from a known and reputable vendor will be fine!

Very well put Stu...

Might wanna read that one more time John...

Like many others, I can recommend Steve at the Invisible Edge from personal experience. Vintage or new is a matter of individual preference.
There is a school of thought that some of the older vintage blades are of superior quality steel but a new Dovo will certainly hold an edge.

I'd go vintage from a reputable dealer.

Order placed, I'll worry about the wife later.

http://www.theinvisibleedge.co.uk/page84.html