Thread: Looking to buy a cheap starter razor

Thanks for all the info/links, I'll have to go check them out... additionally, find what happened to the razor I had (it's here but, gotta search some boxes in storage). Ideally it'll be a good one, then I guess ship to someone to sharpen out of fear of screwing it up myself.

Side note... is a Kriegar "really" that bad?

Saying it's as good as a steak knife from my kitchen, tells me that some exaggeration 'might' be in use.

I'm not trying to start any hostility, just curious, but, I know that when 'fanboys' talk about stuff they have a passion for, things get blown out of proportion a bit. So, not sure exactly how bad a Kriegar is or why. Is it a very poor shave out of the box? or is it a good shave for a few months then the edge is shot? I read about the metal being inferior for sharpening, but, even a disposable Gillette does a decent job for a while before discarded.

Originally Posted by THRobinson

Side note... is a Kriegar "really" that bad?

Saying it's as good as a steak knife from my kitchen, tells me that some exaggeration 'might' be in use.

Well, it seems the only way to convince yourself is to buy one and find out from your own experience, they're not that expensive after all.

hey where are you all seeing "honing for life" on SRD, i just see the "one free hone," on the Dovo page. I would love to get my dad a Dovo for xmas.

Originally Posted by gugi

Well, it seems the only way to convince yourself is to buy one and find out from your own experience, they're not that expensive after all.

Convince myself of what? I'm a newbie, I have no basis of comparison. unless you're actually suggesting I try shaving with both a Kriegar and a steak knife.

If I do and the Kriegar is better than my steak knife... are you going to rescind your statement?

Just trying to figure out how 'bad' is bad. I understand it won't be as good as a $150 razor... but then again, my car isn't as good as a $60,000 BMW, but it still runs great and does the job, I wouldn't compare it to a hay wagon.

A better comparison is the $60,000 BMW and prop car. The prop car may look like a real car, but it is pretty much useless for anything other than display.

This has nothing do with fanboys. It is about making your entry in to straight shaving as simple and painless as possible.

Originally Posted by THRobinson

Convince myself of what? I'm a newbie, I have no basis of comparison. unless you're actually suggesting I try shaving with both a Kriegar and a steak knife.

If I do and the Kriegar is better than my steak knife... are you going to rescind your statement?

Just trying to figure out how 'bad' is bad. I understand it won't be as good as a $150 razor... but then again, my car isn't as good as a $60,000 BMW, but it still runs great and does the job, I wouldn't compare it to a hay wagon.

Originally Posted by THRobinson

Side note... is a Kriegar "really" that bad?

Although I have no experience with a Kriegar, it is on the "do not buy" list along with Zeepk which I do have experience with. The issue comes down to the quality of the metal. I purchased my Zeepk prior to doing my research and finding this wonderful forum. After I did my research, I purchased a vintage razor, a Boker Red Injun No. 101 from the classifieds here. It came fantastically sharp (thanks Gugi!). I mean WAY sharper than the Zeepk.

So I'm like you - can it really be that bad? ...and I figured I'd have a go at sharpening the Zeepk to see what the big deal is.

It is very difficult to even put a serviceable edge on a blade made from inferior materials, and then it dulls before you can even finish a shave. When a blade dulls, it pulls and scrapes. This makes for a very uncomfortable experience.

The reason these guys are steering you clear of the brands on the "do not buy" list is that there are very clear differences that will affect your learning curve. (in other words will make it impossible to properly shave) You may luck out and find a Kriegar that works great, but the general consensus right now points to the contrary.

Also, there are videos of guys shaving with quality knives, so you might actually have better luck trying to sharpen a quality kitchen knife as opposed to a low quality straight razor.

Here is a recent thread on the Kreiger

http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...er-razors.html

The main issue is that the quality of steel is so poor that you cannot get a good edge on one, and even if you are able to, it won't last longer than the first pass or two.
It doesn't cost much to get a quality vintage razor, and even a new dovo can be had for $75. If you insist on paying $15 for a razor, you will get what you pay for.

Originally Posted by THRobinson

Convince myself of what? I'm a newbie, I have no basis of comparison. unless you're actually suggesting I try shaving with both a Kriegar and a steak knife.

If I do and the Kriegar is better than my steak knife... are you going to rescind your statement?

Absolutely - catch it on video for us and I'll not only retract my statement, but put it in the wiki too with a link to your video and description.

Yes, you don't have a basis for comparison, but I do and when I make a comparison you think it's an exaggeration and are looking for somebody else to tell you it's not as bad and it'll actually work (your car comparison vs. slartibarfast's car comparison).
So, a good option is to just try it yourself and see what happens. If you are reluctant to learn from the experience of others, you have to learn from your own.

My 2 cents:

I would pick up a razor on the classifieds or get a new one from SRD, that lifetime honing is an outstanding benefit to have when your starting out.

I also would suggest Bob Keyes, I have purchased razors from him and have had restorations done by him. He is an honest and knowledgeable person to talk with and will guide you in the right direction. He may also have other razors that are not up on his site for sale.

My catalog - Items - Our Online Shop

Good luck and Welcome to SRP

Well, after 2+ days of going through old bins/boxes in storage... I found my old razor. Bought about 15-20yrs ago at a garage sale for $5...

Not sure if any good though

(on the box... which given what's on the razor, I assume the box if from something else)
H. Boker and Co.
"King Cutter"

(on the razor)
Joseph Elliot
Best silver Steel
Shefield, Eng
"Just Right"


Worth while having it shipped to someone to cleanup and sharpen?