Thread: Buy my first straight razor

I'm currently living in Argentina, so my choices are somewhat limited. I haven't found a shop that sells either used or new straight razors so my only choice for now is buying it of the ebay-like web we have here. Also despite buying it form the internet, its probably goiong to be a local seller which will give me the chance of looking at the blade prior to actually paying it.

I've been looking for the razors with the least amount of dents and rust but also within my price range(cheap cheap). Since im not an expert, here are the pictures for you to judge and advice me . ^^

Note: the second one is about 15-20% cheaper than the first.

First one .



Second one.







If anyone know any stores specialized in BA-argentina i can visit let me know.

Go for the second one, looks good to me. A little polish and honing and you are good to go.

I like the first one for a first razor. It looks like a 4/8 maybe? I think it would be a bit easier to maneuver as a first razor than a 7/8. JMHO. Best of luck!

I'm no expert by any stretch of the imagination. The first one looks like a wade & butcher however I may be wrong. If it is I can speak from experience that they are good shavers. However it's hard to tell from the pic if that's rust on the blades edge or just reflection. The second seems to have a fairly clean edge with the exception from one spot that looks like possible rust. If it is it looks minor enough that you could still get out honed and put a good edge on it. You will definitely need to have them professionally honed before you attempt to shave regardless of which one you get. In my opinion if you can afford both go for it. Again in my limited experience it's nice to have several blades to choose from in the beginning, as I'm sure most guys here would also recommend.

Good luck keep us posted!

I think the 2nd one is a Palmera(http://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwi.../8&redirect=no). They are really good, I would probably but that one, a light polish and it will be good as new. Now the biggest problem is how are you going to sharpen it?
Listen buy if it's cheap, palmeras sell for high prices, but you won't be able to shave with it. Instead go to thesuperiorshave.com and buy a Dovo Best Quality, i'll come shave ready and they have free international shipping. I'll be a $81 bucks, brand new and shave ready which is the most important.
I would also buy a strop, etc. Contact Jarrod, ask him to put together a small straight shaving start kit, he will gladly do it.

Now the biggest problem is how are you going to sharpen it?

That's what I was thinking. Razor 2 looks like a beautiful piece, but it will be useful only _after_ it's been sharpened.

Are there any old-fashioned barbers in Argentina who remember how to sharpen a straight razor?

Charles

the first razor is small joseph rodgers, may be 9/16 and the second is largeish palmera. Even though the grind is similar they'll feel quite different on your face. Looks like you own the second one because on some of the photographs the blade is depinned from the scales.

I'd say get both honed and try them out, decide for yourself which works better and stick to it for a couple of months. As others said your biggest issue may be getting them honed, but it can't be that hard if you look around. There's bound to be people who know how to do it, you just need to find them. Mind you this isn't a simple maintenance type of honing, the edges need to be restored from pretty bad state - there's rust, rotten steel and microchips on them.

+1 Some work involved but buy both, keep them long enough & you'll realize you need both

I didn't expect so many responses in such a short time. Your community is awesome.
Here is a another pictures of the first one that i missed on the first post.



About the prices, the second one is US$20 and the other one is like $35. Too bad to hear both would need a professional hone instead of just the strop .
Ill keep you posted guys

Originally Posted by densets

I didn't expect so many responses in such a short time. Your community is awesome.
Here is a another pictures of the first one that i missed on the first post.



About the prices, the second one is US$20 and the other one is like $35. Too bad to hear both would need a professional hone instead of just the strop .
Ill keep you posted guys

I am VERY new to this and am by no means an expert. I have been researching my first straight and have found that the vast majority, if not all, vintage razors that you buy from auction sites need to be honed by someone that really knows what they are doing. You can find some nice vintage blades from some specialty sites that come shave ready, but they usually fetch a pretty price.

Good luck in your hunt!