Vintage blades vs. New blades

Hello, everyone!

I've recently decided to "man up" and join the ranks of those of you who shave with the straight razor. I'm not sure, however, what type of blade I should invest in. I've found someone in town (London, Ontario) who is selling two vintage Solingen blades (if I can figure it out, I'll attach the pictures) and from what I've been able to learn so far, blades made in Solingen are pretty good, right?

So, here's my question: should I invest in one of these older razors, or should I be looking at a newer one? Do these blades improve over time, like wine, or guitars, or will there be a loss of blade quality? From what I understand, the scales can deform, depending on their material, but what of the steel?

Lots of questions, I know, but I would rather not make the wrong choice when it comes to putting a blade to my own throat!

Cheers,
Cutty.

P.S., I can't figure out how to add photos, so here's the link to the pictures:
!!!!!!!!!!!STRAIGHT RAZORS!!!!!!!!!!!!! - London Buy & Sell Goods - Kijiji London Canada.

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Originally Posted by Cutty

Hello, everyone!

I've recently decided to "man up" and join the ranks of those of you who shave with the straight razor. I'm not sure, however, what type of blade I should invest in. I've found someone in town (London, Ontario) who is selling two vintage Solingen blades (if I can figure it out, I'll attach the pictures) and from what I've been able to learn so far, blades made in Solingen are pretty good, right?

So, here's my question: should I invest in one of these older razors, or should I be looking at a newer one? Do these blades improve over time, like wine, or guitars, or will there be a loss of blade quality? From what I understand, the scales can deform, depending on their material, but what of the steel?

Lots of questions, I know, but I would rather not make the wrong choice when it comes to putting a blade to my own throat!

Cheers,
Cutty.

P.S., I can't figure out how to add photos, so here's the link to the pictures:
!!!!!!!!!!!STRAIGHT RAZORS!!!!!!!!!!!!! - London Buy & Sell Goods - Kijiji London Canada.

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I'm a newbie like you. But I'd say go for the vintage. I'm using an old Henry Sears and Son and it works amazingly. And the scales can always be changed if the need arises. If you can't do it yourself, I'm sure someone here would do it for you. I'm under the impression that if the blade quality is good, then vintage razors are just as good as new ones. I believe it really comes down to your personal opinion. German-manufactured razors are among the best, and in my opinion, I would go ahead and buy those before someone else here does. You DID post the link to it ;)

Hello, Cutty:

The important consideration at this stage is the overall state of these razors. Are these razors in good shape and are they shave ready?

Since you're new at this, I suggest going with a new razor from an established vendor, who will hone the razor for you to be shave ready. There is plenty of time in the future to explore the world of vintage razors, by which time you will have learned your way around the straight razor world. Get a modestly priced new and shave ready Dovo, Boker or Thiers-Issard and you're on your way. Why take a chance in the initial stages of your experience.

That's What I would do, anyway.

Regards,

Obie

Learning to shave with a straight razor is daunting enough, so no need to complicate the journey with having to restore or at least clean up and hone a razor to begin your travels with. I'd suggest starting with a razor you know to be sharp.

There is nothing wrong with a vintage razor. I have one from 1917 and a brand new Dovo. I love them equally.

If you are just getting started, I would avoid spending a ton on a razor with mammoth tusk scales and gold leaf, unless you are like Scrooge McDuck and can afford to swim pantsless in your vault of gold coins. Chances are that you might chip or otherwise damage your new blade. This goes doubly so for your first strop, which will have the life expectancy of a big mac at a fat farm. Once you learn the basics, then you can give in to RAD (Razor Acquisition Disorder).

So for a first razor you are looking for 3 things: 1) quality, 2) edge, and 3) cost. With a new blade, so long as it is from a reputable company, you will get 1, 2, and depending on the blade, 3. A new Dovo can run as low as 70 bucks.

If you want to go with a classic razor, you will have no idea about the edge from most sellers. I would recommend one of two places. First, the market place on SRP is probably the best place to get razors in the world. You are all but guaranteed to get a low to reasonable price with great quality. Additionally, when they tell you it will ship shave ready, this means that they probably honed the thing themselves and are missing a tiny patch of hair off their forearms to prove it. Many other dealers would try to sell you a rusty, cracked, useless blade and charge you 100 or more for it because it is an "antique".

The other alternative is Larry over at Whipped Dog Straight Razor Sales, who specializes in hooking up new shavers with all the basics with good quality products at rock bottom prices.

I think less than 3% of my razors are new, so I obviously have rather strong preference for vintage, but as people before me posted you need to buy a razor that shaves, and those do not fit this criteria.

Cutty,

At this point I think cost would be my primary consideration. Solingen, Germany has a reputation for turning out good blades of ll kinds, but I think that $150 bucks is a bit much for your first razor.

You can, as Obie suggested, get both a nice razor as well as a nice latigo 3" strop for that much money. Then all you would need is a brush and some shaving soap or cream to complete your shaving kit.

Check with one of the vendors who advertise here or in Canada who sell straight razor and strop sets and compare their cost to that of the vintage razor you are considering. Then make your choice.

Weather you decide to go with a quality new or used/vintage razor it makes no difference. Thats personal preferance. My suggestion to you is that whatever you buy make sure it is from a reputable source and comes shave ready. Check the classifieds here. There are many great vintage razors being bought and sold here everyday. If you are buying from an experienced member and it says shave ready than odds are it is. If you decide to go new than there are plenty of excelent vendors advertised on this site and buying from one of them if it says shave ready it surely is. Dont forget to get yourself a cheep but good quality strop. That will be needed to get you started. I say a cheep strop because odds are you will damage it. There are also vendors here that can help you with that. Good luck with your new venture. Have patience and you will not regret the switch to str8s

If you buy from one of the SRP members that also is a honmiester, you can get a good price and certainly a decent edge. If you want new one then I suggest you go to Straight Razor Designs, thier prices are excellent and they will sell it to you with the keenest of edges!!

IMHO, tinkersd

Unless you've actually seen the razors, _and you have an educated eye_, $150 is a lot of money for two vintage blades. They may be rusted, they may be chipped, they may be warped, they may have frowning edges -- you don't know!

I have experienced most of the above problems (some of them in blades I held in my hand, before purchase) in eBay and antique-shop vintage blades. I learned a lot about sharpening razors, on a very steep learning curve. I'm still climbing that curve, and it's interesting. But it's not a good way to start shaving with a straight razor.

My suggestion, FWIW:

a) If you have the budget for a new razor, get a Dovo "Best Quality" (or a kit that includes one) from Straight Razor Designs. It'll come properly honed, and it'll be brand new. You'll need a strop, as well as the razor. Everything else you need, you can buy at your local pharmacy.

b) If you don't have that budget, start perusing the "Classifieds" on this site, and visit Whipped Dog Straight Razor Sales. You can get a vintage blade -- properly honed -- for a reasonable price. You'll still need a strop.

Charles

Hi again, fellas.

Thanks for all the advice! After reading through the posts, and weighing my options, I think that going with a new blade from Straight Razor Designs is probably the best idea. I've whittled my decision down to two, but I need one more piece of advice: do I go with a 5/8, or a 6/8? Is there much difference between the two? Is one better than the other?

Cheers,
Cutty.

Cutty:

You've done some smart thinking. I think that's a better way to start your straight razor shaving adventure.

For me, the 6/8" blade is the perfect size. Many other gentlemen feel the same. Since this will be your first razor, however, I suggest going with a 5/8" round point.

The 5/8" round point is a good training razor, I think, and easier to handle for one just starting out. After you hone your skill you can move up to the 6/8" and blades bigger.

There's no rush. Take your time learning, and make it easier for yourself in the beginning, because there is much to learn. Good luck.

Regards,

Obie

Great choice!! I own a Dovo "Best Quality" 5/8th's from SRD, and it shaves great for me and hones up very predictably, keeps that edge through lots of shaves too!!

Fantastic advice, boys! Thanks a bunch, I can't believe how much there is to learn about shaving - talk about taking things for granted all these years. I'll making my purchase in the next cople weeks, so I'll be sure to keep you all up to date on my battle wounds.

Any strop advice? I've read articles suggesting to go cheap, due to the inevitable destruction at it will suffer until I know what I'm doing. Also, am I going to have to join a handyman forum somewhere to learn how to anchor that strip of horse to my bathroom wall? Don't those things come with suction cups or velcro?

Cheers,
Cutty.

I very much disagree with the logic of a 'cheap strop'. What you want is quality strop, the same way you want quality blade. At the end of the day I think most people looking into this type of shaving value their face more than the ten-tweny dollar difference, otherwise they could just continue shaving with inferior razors.

The strop is the thing that prepares your edge before every single shave. Nicking it is just the cost of learning and in 90% of the cases doesn't render the strop useless.

Do yourself a favor and don't go for the cheap junk, it is more expensive in the long run, as well as value-wise.

I'm with gugi. I went with a cheap strop for my first strop and while it was acceptable, it got damaged quickly and once I get some spare time will be turned in to a small paddle strop for traveling. The first strop was a budget strop due to finances at the time. However, a month or so ago I picked up a Premium II strop from SRD and absolutely enjoy it. I had to do some begging and pleading with SWMBO to get that instead of the latigo but it was on sale and she said I was a good boy that month... anyhoo, you can purchase replacement leathers for the SRD strops for about the same as or less than the cheapo strops. Buy a nice strop, enjoy it, and be scared to hurt it and it will last you. besides, most small nicks can be sanded out.

First off, welcome to the ranks! Also I live just outside London myself so doubly welcome. Good choice on the new razor, $150 is very expensive for 2 vintage blades, especially compared to the average prices for
Lots on eBay. I would suggest the 5/8. It's the more common size and a smaller blade would probably be easier to learn how to use, especially under the nose and the neck. Good luck!