Hello community!

[Drakuun]

Hey there, new to the scene and the experience.
Anyone able to recommend a blade for life?
Preferably not at the cost of a months pay...

I prefer the handle to be of durable material as well (steel, titanium, ...).
Purchased a very cheap all metal straight razor look-a-like to get the feeling and such.
Of course it doesn't shave at all, scratches away skin good though.
And I'm getting the moves for stropping in my wrist and fingers without destroying a proper blade.
It's also madly sharp as it cut me a few times when it touched skin that wasn't meant for shaving.
Tricky part is, when I order stuff from outside Europe, they charge me crazy customs costs.
So I prefer either a dead cheap blade so that customs costs won't be exhorbitant or a blade that is shipped from Europe.
Found some sites myself that also offer a certain degree of customization, but I couldn't find them on the list of 'trusted' blades over here so dropped them.

[pinklather]

Hi Drakuun, There seem to be alot of us wanting to buy quality only once and be happy ever after. Its much easier to say than to do. Until we've tried different sizes, grinds, makers, country's steel, how can we know what will provide that satisfaction? The things that make for your satisfaction now - will also evolve. I don't know if there are razor clubs/forums in your area of the EU, but it would be terribly helpful if others could let you try their gear so you could get a feel for what you like. There are certainly members in the EU, but there are also forums in several EU countries. The only one that comes to mind at the moment is the more recent incarnation of coticule.be, now known as artisanshaving.com. 'Good bunch. Many many EU members. At least it may help you find a local seller. Best of luck

[Drakuun]

Hey Pink, thanks for the advice.
Comfort is not the top of my list though.
Efficiency and durability are, if I have those, I will be satisfied and comfortable.
Luckily efficiency and durability are measurable, comfort however is not.
That should make my question answerable afteral.

[syslight]

Welcome again.

other than custom makers you are not going to find "(steel, tianium, ...)" scales. you could look to the invisible edge in the UK they handle Dovo, Thiers-Issard and sometimes vintage razors. Also there is Boker in germany. Mastro Livi in Italy but they quickly get into a weeks salary and more.

enjoy,
jim

[thebigspendur]

You can pick up any basic Dovo or TI razor in a medium size 5/8s and 6/8s and if you take care of it you will have it all your life. So it's really very simple if the basics are all you want. You can go cheaper with vintage but you need a reliable source like our classifieds for example.

[Drakuun]

Hmmm also good advice.

How about I get me a good blade but replace the scales myself?
In that case I would have a backup scale anyway.

[mjsorkin]

Drakuun,

Where are you? There are Europeans doing this and EU websites that sell razors. You should be able to find something. Shop around and find the best price and buy what you can afford.

Dovo makes a razor with Stainless Steel scales. They are a German Manufacturer.

Michael

[Drakuun]

Michael,

I'm in Belgium, mostly our shops charge crazy prices for speciality items so I turn to the internet for such things.
Dovo does seem like the way to go for me, but I'll gather some more info before deciding.

[mjsorkin]

Drakuun,

Try and get in touch with Bart from coticule.be He is in Belgium. He runs a site dedicated to straight razors, and coticule stones. He also offers a free honing service.

There are probably at least a few other guys in Belgium too, that wouldn't mind giving you some local info.

Michael

[Drakuun]

Well that's a surprise.
The messenwinkel used to have zero information on their site a few years ago.
Now it's a webshop and the prices seem fair.
How about this blade?
http://www.messenwinkel.eu/images/P/p-17630.jpg

Edit: it's a full steel Dovo 5/8 full hollow ground