Thread: 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

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

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...

+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.

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.

Originally Posted by georgegaz

Lol thanks for replying.

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

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