Artamis Blade Quality

Hello,

I was looking to take up this method of shaving and so, as a beginner, am not looking to splash out too heavily in case I do not get on with it.

Howev,er whilst I do not want to splash out I would be willing to make a compromise because if I spend cheaply and get a crap razor then the experience will be poor and it will put me off etc.

I have come across this razor which looks fair. Artamis Straight Razor

I was wondering if anyone had used this make before and if it is good. I did a search but found nothing dedicated.

If you have any better ideas around the £20 - £30 mark then please let me know.

Regards

Quote:

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Originally Posted by georgegaz

Hello,

I was looking to take up this method of shaving and so, as a beginner, am not looking to splash out too heavily in case I do not get on with it.

Howev,er whilst I do not want to splash out I would be willing to make a compromise because if I spend cheaply and get a crap razor then the experience will be poor and it will put me off etc.

I have come across this razor which looks fair. Artamis Straight Razor

I was wondering if anyone had used this make before and if it is good. I did a search but found nothing dedicated.

If you have any better ideas around the £20 - £30 mark then please let me know.

Regards

---

Looks like another blade needs to be added to WIKI NOT TO BUY LIST.
try avoid it. gl

Lol thanks for replying.

I think I need to get my hands on that WIKI NOT TO BUY LIST page :gwh:

How about this one: Cyril Salter?

Based on price alone:

. . . It's too cheap to be good.

There's also no "country of origin" information -- a big red flag.

Making _good_ straight razors is tricky and expensive. Making "razor-shaped objects", which are shiny, but don't hold an edge, is cheap and easy.

BUT:

You should be able to find a good _vintage_ razor for £30. It won't be perfect, but it'll shave well. I was going to suggest:

Shave-Ready Vintage Razors

but most of their vintage razors are more expensive than that.

Check the Classifieds on this website. Occasionally, there are posts from the UK.

If you're willing to import from the US, there's a vendor of inexpensive vintage razors here:

Whipped Dog Straight Razor Sales

and his price should be close to your budget range. He also sells an inexpensive strop kit -- you'll need a strop.

Failing all that, bite the bullet and get a new Dovo "Best Quality", hand-honed. There are UK dealers.

Charles

I don't know what your limit is on a razor (plus needed additions). You might want to look in the classifieds. You will find some truly nice razors at attractive prices. These are not trash that our members try to dump on someone else. That member has a reputation to protect. You might want to contact some of our English members who may some sources for you to check out. I know that you don't want to spend a lot of money on the razor. You should also know you will need the following items as well:

1. Strop (preferably hanging)
2. Brush (an inexpensive, but quality one can be found)
3. Shave soap/cream (personal choice), the canned gunk doesn't work well..

At some point in the near future you will also need a pasted strop and/or a barbers hone to refresh your blade. This might sound like a lot up front, and it can be a little daunting. But these are not really optional items. Also, when you get to the point of actually purchasing a razor, ensure that the edge is shave ready. "Sharpened by the factory" usually means it is not shave ready. Someone should be able to help you with that... :beer1:

+1 to the above. If want a nice razor at a decent price, the classifieds is the place to get it.

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.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by georgegaz

Hello,

I was looking to take up this method of shaving and so, as a beginner, am not looking to splash out too heavily in case I do not get on with it.

....snip....
I was wondering if anyone had used this make before and if it is good. I did a search but found nothing dedicated.

If you have any better ideas around the £20 - £30 mark then please let me know.

Regards

---

Have you looked at the "Classified" link at the
top of this page. I currently see some inexpensive
shavers that could be in budget. It need
not be fancy, it does need to be well honed
(shave ready).

Start with a good brush and good soap. I have
found that a good lather can make any blade...
even the plastic handle tossable blades shave
vastly better.

After a brush and shave soap you need
a shave ready razor and a strop.

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.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by georgegaz

Lol thanks for replying.

I think I need to get my hands on that WIKI NOT TO BUY LIST page :gwh:

How about this one: Cyril Salter?

---

Here ya go

Good Straight Razor Brands - Straight Razor Place Wiki
Brands of Straight Razors to avoid - Straight Razor Place Wiki

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

Quote:

---

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.

Quote:

---

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.

Quote:

---

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.

Quote:

---

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.