Thread: New Str8

Well I bought a new str8 today off Ebay. I took the advice of some of the folks here who were kind enough to give me some advice to buy a "Shave Ready" razor.
I had originally bought a Giesen & Forsthoff 6/8 cellulose handle and those who read my first post on here know I was rather bloody from it as not only a new straight razor user as well as a new straight blade owner. So as mentioned I went in search of a "Shave ready" instrument thats got some character to it as I like the antique razors anyway.

Heres the Ebay item# 300507696637. Im hoping someone might give me some feedback and let me know if this was a good choice. I fell in love with it myself but maybe Im not yet qualified to say its a good purchase but I had to have it anyhow.

The point I wanted to get to was that its a shave ready razor and the guy didnt spare any text explaining his methods which gave me confidence it was indeed a shave ready blade. Now I will know what my other razor lacks and if its not shave ready I can have one to use while I send that one out. Plus my new one is a 5/8 and Id like to try a differnt blade perhaps liking this one better than my 6/8. Any and all feedback is welcomed Im new here and learning and Im liking this a whole lot right now. Please comment on my purchases both of them. I need to know I didnt get junk here. This is the only forum I can ask this and Im hoping I get the positive feedback that I didnt throw my hard earned cash in the toilet to less than quality straights. Or that I didnt get ripped off. Your two cents is appreciated.
Regards to all and thanks for your support to learn this skill!!!

Biggie...it looks like you have a dandy there. I have bought 2 razors off that eBay seller. I'm pretty sure that he isn't the cheapest seller on the bay, but I can attest his stuff (at least my 2 razors) were clean and in great shape. They also were perfectly honed and shave ready. Also, if for any reason you are not satisfied, he'll take them back no questions asked.

You may not have gotten the lowest price for a razor on eBay, but you'll never regret buying quality.

Freehand
"it only cost a little more to go 1st class"

Originally Posted by Freehand

Biggie...it looks like you have a dandy there. I have bought 2 razors off that eBay seller. I'm pretty sure that he isn't the cheapest seller on the bay, but I can attest his stuff (at least my 2 razors) were clean and in great shape. They also were perfectly honed and shave ready. Also, if for any reason you are not satisfied, he'll take them back no questions asked.

You may not have gotten the lowest price for a razor on eBay, but you'll never regret buying quality.

Freehand
"it only cost a little more to go 1st class"

Gr8 I was under the same impression hes not the cheapest but I did like his detail on his honing and I also checked out his other auctions which hes got some really beautiful razors for sale which means he isnt a fly by night seller he deals in the upper end which I liked also. I may buy a diamond strop from him also if he qoutes me a decent price. I got a strop but its pretty generic and not that great. Any suggestins on the type of strop I should be using for my razors?The one I have is probably a good one to learn the technique but may not be the best strop to use in the long term.

I bought that off Ebay also and it was cheap like $20 brand new. Now Im reading about all the various strops one could use to keep the blades in tip top cond. He mentioned the Diamond strop I been reading about it since. Too many choices, Id rather take it from expierence before I buy the one I will use indefinately.

I've never dealt with that seller so can't say for sure what his edges are like but he's been around for awhile That is a very nice razor you got yourself there..hope it serves you well and you enjoy!

Howdy, I just got off viewing that seller on e-bay and all his Str8 look great and he really does sound like he knows what' what will rarzor honing and restoration, I have had no dealings with him, would like to buy a razor from him but his price's are just a bit over my living on a S/S once a month check. I would like to know just how well his shavers work, let us know, be a good thing to know as many good ones a possible.

Have a good one, tinkersd.

From the looks of things, you got a nice razor and is likely shave ready.

Certainly it's a quality razor and he appears to have done a great job cleaning it up. The honing you'll have to judge for yourself. Often times diamond can leave an overly harsh edge depending on the grit used. Depending on how much work he put into the restoration the price may very well be justified.

So it sounds like the consensus is I didnt buy a P.O.S. and got a decent razor. I appreciate the input folks really its a good thing all around, Hopefully I can get the expierence i need and replenish this info to some other poor skinned up soul who wants to learn this art.

I will report what I can do with this new razor once it arrives, I hope its all good news!