Thread: Artamis Blade Quality

I will second the Dovo UK site, based solely on your preferences of new razor. You won't find anything in your price point unless you have luck o your side or it's a second hand/vintage razor.
I can vouch for the quality of (all) two vintage/second hand razors I bought through the classifieds here, from Holli4Pirating for a price well within your own specs. Both razors, were bought for the price and not the looks. One now lives with a mate of mine who I bought it for, and the other (Wostenholm pipe) is one of my two favourites. Ironically, my other favourite is also vintage, a Bengall that I had refurbished by one of our talented members here. Both are Sheffield blades.
I guess my point is, don't turn your nose up at a good brand vintage razor.


Mick

Originally Posted by georgegaz

Hi,

Yeah I did look at the classifieds but was struggling to find ones in Britain. one of razors I have looked at online say "shave ready" which is a bit worrying.

You will need a budget of around £80-100 in the UK to purchase a good razor,strop and brush, possibly either an entry level Dovo or good vintage blade. At a push, you could start without a brush.
The two main UK vendors are Steve dempster at www.theinvisibleedge.co.uk
and Neil Miller at www.strop-shop.co.uk Both are well respected and good to deal with.
There are bargains on e-bay but you need some experience to work out which ones they are. A tip, most of the new cheap razors on ebay are junk. If you go the ebay route for a vintage blade, Neil and Steve both offer a honing service. Stacks of info on SRP about preventing infection from pre-owned blades.

Originally Posted by georgegaz

Thanks for your responses everyone ... it has made my job of finding a razor twice as hard

eBay was a good shout and there are plenty on there but the quality must vary greatly.

Some great prices like this or this but I seriously am concerned about them ... full sets for under £30???

I also saw this, this and this.

I like the look of the last one in wood but again am dubious of the quality. eBay just is not trustworthy to me and the last thing I want to do is put something to my face that some guy made number 298 of 300 in their shed on a Sunday.

Avoid ebay. Seriously, don't use it for your first razor.

For one, 99% chance the razor isn't shave ready, which is very important for a beginner.

Secondly, there may be damage on the edge that you can't see or the seller doesn't disclose. Some seller's don't even know what to look for on the edge.

So honestly, if you want an inexpensive razor, go for the classifieds or whipped dog. Even if it has to be shipped oversees, it will be worth it.

Also, check out invisible edge. They are a great UK based company.

Originally Posted by georgegaz

Hi,

Yeah I did look at the classifieds but was struggling to find ones in Britain. I will look again and worse case can try to get one from the US but I was also hoping to get one that was brand new ... I have a funny thing about using a second hand razor :-D ... sounds unhygienic even though I guess it would be disinfected etc.

None of razors I have looked at online say "shave ready" which is a bit worrying.

I think fair amount of the sellers would ship internationally and it doesn't take too long, usually about a week to the UK.

As far as shave-ready once these sellers of junk razor shaped objects figure out that it means extra money they'll start putting it in their descriptions.

If you want a brand new razor and strop you'll have to pay a bit more. I don't think there are any issues with hygiene on second hand razors. We're talking about steel here and there aren't many pathogens that can live on it for longer than a couple of weeks. You probably still eat at restaurants and don't sterilize your utensils before every use. Also when you consider what shave-ready involves you may realize the differences between a new and second hand razors aren't that big after all.

But, of course that doesn't mean you shouldn't get a new set if that'll make you less worried. It just means you'll have to pay the extra money for a brand new one.

Originally Posted by georgegaz

Hi,

Yeah I did look at the classifieds but was struggling to find ones in Britain. I will look again and worse case can try to get one from the US but I was also hoping to get one that was brand new ... I have a funny thing about using a second hand razor :-D ... sounds unhygienic even though I guess it would be disinfected etc.

None of razors I have looked at online say "shave ready" which is a bit worrying.

Well after a razor is refurbished -- the top layer of steel has been
removed... same as a new razor. Wipe it down with alcohol
once or twice, air dry the alcohol and then give it a light coat of
mineral oil to prevent rust and you are good to go.

Slightly more aggressive is Barbicide. Dip, rinse, dip, rinse,
air dry, and a light coat of oil.... All barbershops in the
US use it to sanitize almost everything.

As for shave ready ask the seller. In general they all do
a fine job. The standards around here are VERY high
so when someone says shave ready they are saying
a lot. Most are too modest to say more.