Help choosing first razor from family heirlooms.

Last year at Xmas my father gave me a box with two of my Great Grandfather's straights and 3 of my Great Uncles straights and Swaty. I think I've finally worked up the courage to try one out and would like to pick one to get honed and buy a strop as well. I've attached a couple of pics of what I have to work with. The last razor was made in the town where I went to college (it's an extra hollow ground, fwiw). Obviously the 2nd and 3rd one would need major work done if they can be fixed at all.

Left to right:
Case Brothers Tested XX ---great uncle
Tom Ray Double Forged --- great grandfather
DePews The Perfect Razor --- great uncle
Claus BarbersSpec --- great grandfather
George Wosten Holmes IXL --- great uncle
Blish Mize Extra Hollow Ground --- College town

Higher res pics can be seen here (hover over pic on right side to get size options): http://shanemoorephotography.smugmug...6505&k=HTFNjrp

http://shanemoorephotography.smugmug...DSC9283a-L.jpg

http://shanemoorephotography.smugmug...ollage-a-L.jpg

I am a noob as well, but most say go with a hollowed round edge. The only one you have that looks like a usable blade with a round edge looks to be more of a wedge shape to me # 5. IMHO #1 in your pictures looks like the best bet 4 and 6 look ok as well. You might want to pick them up with a shaving hold and pretend to shave with them off of your face and see what is most comfortable as well. You could also have whoever honed it tame the tip down as well if you are concerned with that.

Welcome to SRP. Regardless of which one you choose to start with send it to one of SRP's members that have honed a lot of razors for a professional edge, it will make a world of difference in your learning curve. I suggest you put the two with missing parts of the blades (chips away for now and focus on one of the good blades. A rounded end would be a wise choice. Good luck and be sure to read through the beginner's forum and the WIKI section for beginners. Take your time and start with just your sideburns. When you get comfortable holding and maneuvering the razor move on to other areas starting with the next easiest to shave.

I recommend the Case.

They are Great shavers and looks to be in very good shape.

It will hold the edge for quite some time. During that time you can restore the others.

Congratulations!!! they are very nice.

I particularly like the monkey tail on the DePews.

The Case is nice. It has a piece of the pearl missing on the other side of the tang, but besides that is in great shape. It's also not as hollow as the other razors (except the wedge of course). The Claus and Blish-Mize seem to me to be very thin towards the edge.

I like #6. The square point can be very mildly muted and made safer without changing the shape at all.

My vote goes for #5...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ace

I like #6. The square point can be very mildly muted and made safer without changing the shape at all.

---

This was my initial choice as well. I wasn't sure about the extra hollow ground blade. It is very, very thin compared to the others, so I wasn't sure about the difficulty of keeping it honed correctly and it's use as a "starter" razor.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mcgyver74

My vote goes for #5...

---

I love the look of #5. Is a wedge harder to learn with or keep sharp than other styles?

I would have them ALL worked on if possible. I would talk to a reputable "restorer" (there's a number of great guys here on SRP) about having them restored. You have some INCREDIBLE family history there! It would be great to have them all in your rotation. I especially like #5 -- gotta love that barber's notch!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ShavingSrgn

I would have them ALL worked on if possible. I would talk to a reputable "restorer" (there's a number of great guys here on SRP) about having them restored. You have some INCREDIBLE family history there! It would be great to have them all in your rotation. I especially like #5 -- gotta love that barber's notch!

---

I plan on eventually having them all restored, but I thought it would be wayyyyy cool to learn on one of the family razors. Of course the college one isn't family, but it was made in the town I went to school at (Atchison, KS--a pretty small town now, and I'm sure even more small then).

I'm just a noob as well, but think your collection is incredible!!! I just sent my Grandfather's straight razor off today for restoration. I can't wait to get it into my rotation. I wish you well on your journey into straight razor shaving.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ShavingSrgn

I'm just a noob as well, but think your collection is incredible!!! I just sent my Grandfather's straight razor off today for restoration. I can't wait to get it into my rotation. I wish you well on your journey into straight razor shaving.

---

Thanks!! After a couple of years of using DE's and SE's I'm ready to give it a try. Could you PM me where you sent your Grandfather's razor off to be restored?

Well, I picked up all the possible razors and the Case seemed the most comfortable (balanced) to hold. The bakelite scales are in very good condition and the lighting makes it look like there's a dull spot but there's not, it's just missing that piece of pearl on the tang. Any ideas of how much that might cost to fix?

http://shanemoorephotography.smugmug...SC9331aw-L.jpg

http://shanemoorephotography.smugmug...SC9337aw-L.jpg

I would get the good blades all honed up by the pros here at srp. Then after you learn how to use them,I would get the ones you like restored if you want. They won't shave any better after a restore !!!! Just better eye candy, nice razors!!!

Welcome to the brotherhood of straight razor users.

Your a lucky man, to have been entrusted with those razors, especially because of the family history. There's not many material things in life that can be passed on from generation to generation, so when the time comes for you to pass them on I hope you entrust them so someone who appreciates them as well.

As for your choice of which to restore and learn to shave with first, I think you have made a wise one. That razor will take and hold an edge with the best of them. As for price, that's between you and the individual doing the restoration. Do a little research on the vendors.

I hope you enjoy the str8 razor experience. It's really not just about the shave, but the tradition of shaving properly and getting a close comfortable shave. Believe me after a short while you will notice a difference in how great your face will feel and how close the shave. In my humble opinion there is nothing that even comes close to a str8.

This is an adventure you can keep as simple or as extravagant as you choose, just have fun and enjoy the tradition.

Thanks everyone. Just mailed the Case off to Larry at Whipped Dog. Should be returning with a Poor Man's strop soon!