Thread: Cheap razor good for sharpening practice?

I agree w/LX's recommendation against buying a cheap razor. Most of the cheap (new) razors on ebay won't hold an edge long enough to get even one good shave.

Like LX, I too started with one and nearly drove myself nuts honing and stropping... all the time thinking there was something wrong with my technique. In reality, it was the poor steel quality in the razor that was defeating me! I'd hone that baby until it passed the HHT, strop it up, and take a few strokes on my face ... it would suddenly be as if I'd never sharpened it.

There are many usable "old" razor's on eBay that will cost you less than $20 incl shipping... so long as it isn't a rust bucket and doesn't have chips in it's edge. Granted, you may have to bid on a few until one slips under the radar and you win it, but they're there. You'll be fine with almost any brand... they all had steel quality good enough to practice with.

On the other hand, you could spend maybe twice that and get a shave-ready no-frills razor from one the the members here. Then you'd know what a properly sharpened razor feels like when you shave... and thus, when you start practicing, you'll have a reference point to aim for -- you'll know what sharp "feels" like. Why do you feel you'll "mess up" the first couple? Razors don't take well to being dropped, banged against faucets, etc. But otherwise, they're pretty tough. So you hone it and it doesn't turn out well... that doesn't mean you ruined it. It just means that you get to re-hone it. Okay, so maybe you accelerate the spine wear a little... this probably isn't the only razor you plan on using for the rest of your life, so who cares?

You have some good advice here. I really can't add anything to it. An inexpensive Eboy. Look for the smaller razors like 4/8s or 5/8s they seem to command lower prices.

It is a good idea. Additionally, getting a cheap razor already honed is a good idea too. For like $30 you can get a blade from someone that has already been honed. Not only do you know what its like to have a sharp edge but honing them is easier than starting over with an Ebay special. A new razor is usually beveled better than an old Ebay razor.