Newbie Says Hello

Hi everyone. I've stumbled across this site a few weeks ago and have been lurking since then. There's a wealth of information who's surface I've only just begun to scratch. To start, I've decided I'd like to begin with two razors: one Sheffield; one Solingen. Brands I am considering are Wade & Butcher, J.A. Henckels & Otto Deutsch. (I realize there is only one Sheffield razor listed among the 3.)

Since I'm new to straights, and rather than sink a hefty amount of money into something that may not be for me, I'd rather try to obtain these razors rather inexpensively. And to do that, I am turning to *gasp* e-bay.

I've been ready to purchase now for a few days, but I'm having a hard time determining what is authentic and what is not. I am more concerned with getting a true and correct razor. Spots of rust, slight pitting and stains do not bother me as long as the steel is good and the edge of the blade does not require extensive repair.

This razor is inexpensive and has no bids leading me to believe it should be passed on.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Otto-Deutschs-FRITZ-/260700634817?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cb2f7 fec1

This razor is more expensive, but has a chip in the blade. Is this repairable, or best to avoid? From the make an offer option it looks like it might be had for half the listed price due to the chip.
OTTO DEUTSCH "HANS" STRAIGHT RAZOR GREEN W/INLAID CIB - eBay (item 260699597795 end time Nov-30-10 20:18:27 PST)

Henckles razor
Collectable J.A Henckels Solinger Straigh Razor - eBay (item 220679310782 end time Dec-05-10 02:33:29 PST)

One more Henckles
J.A. HENCKELS ZWILLINGSWERK SOLINGEN STRAIGHT RAZOR - eBay (item 300497007445 end time Dec-05-10 18:00:09 PST)

Thanks for reading. I'm very excited to get going.

Ok -here goes.

The first Otto is the only one I think you will/should obtain. Pass on the second Otto and the first Henckles. The second Henckles is probably going to go for quite a bit.

Now that I stated that, you will need to send it out to get honed as it will not be shave ready.

Have you tried looking at the classifieds here yet? There are usually good deals on shave ready razors from reputable members here.

Also, if you state your budget, we might be able to direct you to a full set that would include your strop - which you definitely need.

Welcome, and you have good taste in razors...Sheffield and Solingen are fine blades...

+1 on the classified here...You'll do so much better, Ebay, your always taking a chance, especially if your new to this, you can get burned easy...Anyone of us here would be glad to look at razors your interested in from our classifieds....Let me know if I can be of help...

Also, there are plenty of vendors that offer complete kits, w/strops etc...
To get you started....

Rich

If there are any more mistakes to be made, I'm sure I'll find them. One was believing a store that their Dovo was shave ready.

Hindsight is great - I'd have bought from vendors here that restore vintage - 'cause they WILL be shave ready. At first you don't know individuals sellers, their reputations, etc. A bit more lurking and you'll soon see who does good work - there are quite a few. I will not hesitate to use them again - which is to say I'm taking my own medicine here. Purely on recommendations here & elsewhere, I just dropped $600 on a Gucci rock (jnat). It involves sending money overseas, where domestic regulations cannot protect you much at all. In this case, I have no concern - every indication is that the vendor is superb (and a pleasure to work with).

If you search other noob threads, you'll find this perspective almost universal. It's not hype for the clan, its wanting to give the beginner the absolute best shot he can get for success and enjoyment. You may wish to view the vendor files for the sheffields and soligens you think you might like.

You'll want to keep firing the questions up on the boards here. The good will & quality of help is pretty amazing. You're probably in for the best shaves of your life.

Thank you all for the information and the quick replies. I have been looking through the classifieds here a bit and what is available is very, very nice. I recognize that the classifieds are the best resource for quality products and while I do intend one day to buy a razor though the classifieds, I had originally thought that e-bay might be a better starting point.

One thought I had was to buy a razor who's blade was in good condition but with cracked or broken scales and another razor with good scales but a chipped blade and send both razors out to be refinished utilizing the good parts from each razor.

One of the vendors I've seen (and actually led me to this site) was Vintage Custom Straight Razors And Honing Services. The work seems near flawless. Although from my inexperience it's hard for me to gauge what would be cheaper: buying an already restored razor, or having a beaten up razor restored.

One of the questions you need to answer:

. . . Do you want to shave, or

. . . Do you want to play with razors?

Quote:

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Although from my inexperience it's hard for me to gauge what would be cheaper: buying an already restored razor, or having a beaten up razor restored.

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It's cheaper to buy a new, inexpensive razor (Dovo "Best Quality" or equivalent), than to pay someone else to sharpen, hone, and refurbish a used razor.

Labor is _expensive_. Honing a razor in _excellent condition_ (no nicks, near-perfect edge) will cost anywhere from $15 to $20. A "beaten-up" razor will require a lot more labor than "honing".

The least-costly source for "shave-ready" _vintage_ razors may be:

Whipped Dog Straight Razor Sales

If you sharpen, hone, and refurbish a used razor yourself, you _may_ save money over what's available in the "Classifieds" here. But you'll have to develop the skills, and buy the tools, to do that work.

If you decide to do the work yourself, there will be lots of help available on this site. I suggest that you read some of the "sharpening and honing" material in the Wiki, first.

It took me several "beaten-up" razors to learn what to look for, and what to avoid, in a used blade. And to develop (to a primitive level) the skills to sharpen, hone, and strop.

My conclusion after that experience is:

. .. I should have listened to other people's good advice, and bought a used or new "shave-ready" razor as my first blade.

Charles

PS -- sorry to blather on -- time for bed now.