Thread: Sight Unseen or pick from the classifieds?

I'm on the verge of jumping into straights. I'm still pretty new to DE, but I keep reading about all of the positive results of straights.

I'm wondering whether or not to take up Larry's Sight Unseen Deal and get in on the cheap, or invest in a presumably better quality razor(s) and strop?

What did you do and how did you decide what to select?

Take the "cheap" route. If you find you are not taken by the experience you won't be out that much. But, if you enjoy the process, you will be buying a second or third razor to start a rotation sooner or later. Then you can sweeten the pot and and go for a higher end razor.

Regards - Walt

Larry's deals are a great way to really see if straight razors are for you. It would be a shame for you to drop some serious coin only to find this hobby is not your style. If you stick with it, there will be plenty of time to invest and upgrade your gear. As for me, I made the mistake of shopping on the bay before I knew what I was getting myself into, what a waste of money since I had zero knowledge of what to buy and what to avoid. Larry won't steer you wrong and you will get a shave ready razor. Eventually, I found SRP and bought my first quality razor from a member/vendor here out of the classifieds. That first razor was/is no beauty queen, but it was inexpensive and still in my rotation to this day after being at this for a few years.

I think it's really all a matter of personal opinion. A lot of guys don't want to use a "used" razor. Anyways, I bought from Larry, and was very happy with my purchase. I decided on his deal, because it came with everything I'd need. In fact it came with more than I knew I needed. Which just shows how much us new guys don't know...Even with four or five days of reading before shopping. I realized before making the decision, that I really didn't know what to look for, and had no expectations whatsoever of what a honed edge looks like, or how to hone an old flea market find. I also knew that I couldn't afford the hones, even if I could find a free straight somewhere. Point is, if you got the cash to spend on something you think you might want better, then you probably WILL like it better. Cause it's what you wanted, and that's all you have to base your expectations on. But if you're like me, and debate the grocery clerk about the extra 11 cents she charged you for your .74 lbs of cheese, you might think about Larry's deal more seriously. He's not the only one out there though. There are plenty of guys here that'll do right by you I'm sure. He's just the one I picked. I hope this is helpful.

hey steelwindmachine:
+1 to the comments from the guys above
learn on the cheap if you can because if you DO like it .... well it certainly wont be your last razor purchase!
good luck

Mike

Originally Posted by steelwindmachine

What did you do and how did you decide what to select?

I generally like to know what I'm buying so sight unseen isn't worth the few dollars discount to me, but may be it's worth to you.
I narrowed it down to two razors that I liked, one that a SRP member was offering, and one from somebody else. Then I sent a PM to a senior guy at SRP who seemed quite knowledgeable and helpful and asked him what he'd pick. Then I took the one he recommended.

Later on I also bought a much nicer version of the razor that I didn't pick, in fact over the years I've probably bought 30-40 of them. It still was the best decision to go for the one that I got first - the guy I asked most definitely was right in his recommendation.

Glenn (gssixgun), one of the honemiesters here has a site Welcome GemStar Customs - Gem Star Customs and has what he calls Damn Fine Shavers that are for sale. He has a Torrey there for $45 which is a well liked brand. I just purchased a DFS from him and it was a fantastic shave. I've also bought one from the classifieds here that was good as well. Glenn and the classified here you can't go wrong.

I bought about 8 ebay razors and then sent them off to get honed, got a good quality strop from neil miller and off I went. that was after a couple of days researching. I could've saved myself the time and went for Larry's deal. If I were to go back and do it again, I would do it on the cheap, I did on the cheap my way with ebay razors, but I've been lucky, I've only ever had two razors that were duffers out of 20 razors purchased, my attitude was go for the shiny ones! and a solingen and that worked for me, but I took a big chance.

I would go for Larry's deal. It would also make learning to shave much easier, eliminates the tools as a problem, so when you have a bad shave you have no excuses but bad technique.

regards Alex

Originally Posted by Walt

Take the "cheap" route. If you find you are not taken by the experience you won't be out that much. But, if you enjoy the process, you will be buying a second or third razor to start a rotation sooner or later. Then you can sweeten the pot and and go for a higher end razor.

Regards - Walt

+ 1 Larry's very good, a nice guy and very helpful! If you get stuck with this hobby, you'll buy more, for sure!

You'll most likely nick your strop in when learning, so what ever you do, don't invest heavy on your first strop.

I am a big fan of knowing what I am getting, YMMV