Great shave off a cheap razor I honed from ebay

I picked up a Roda Sheffield 5/8 hollow ground from ebay for about 19 bucks. There is not much to it, not a real looker and the scales are kinda cheap but the blade is in real good condition. I mainly got it to practice honing and didn't really expect to get a good shave off of it. I worked it through my Nortons and in no time I had a very nice edge on it. Still didn't think it would keep its edge as I shaved seeing as I have never heard of one and for the price I paid for it. I just gave it a shave and it did an amazing job. Real close, held its edge, and comfortable with no nicks. If you guys can pick one of these up they are worth it. I would have gladly paid more for it.

This is what I love about ebay. The bay at its best.

You can find no name Sheffield and Solingen steel for basically pocket change. Much of it is in mint condition, loads of character, and they'll shave like a dream.

I have been enjoying the cheap Ebay phenomenon. I have four razors--none over $15, including shipping, and each one has been fine. Ebay catches a lot of distain, but if you look very carefully at the photos, and know what to look for (which is really not that complex) there are good deals to be had.

I wonder how many razors were bought, tried once, and then put away forever. There seem to be a lot of them. My rules so far have been simple: old, no obvious deep rust pockets (farther up away from the edge is better), no rust near the edge, no chips larger than about 1mm, and no spine wear. Finally, no famous name--that seems to be what really attracts bids. My favorite so far is a Simmons Hardware Barbers Pet. I imagine these non-illustrious razors were the Chevys and Fords of their day, for the regular guy, and they seem to work great.

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Originally Posted by Mike12345

This is what I love about ebay. The bay at its best.

You can find no name Sheffield and Solingen steel for basically pocket change. Much of it is in mint condition, loads of character, and they'll shave like a dream.

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You just let the cat out of the bag ! While everyone else is paying big bucks for 8/8 W&B's , Filly's , and Ducks etc. , one or two guys are getting great razors , for pocket change , simply because they are "no name" razors . THANKS A LOT :D

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Originally Posted by dave5225

You just let the cat out of the bag ! While everyone else is paying big bucks for 8/8 W&B's , Filly's , and Ducks etc. , one or two guys are getting great razors , for pocket change , simply because they are "no name" razors . THANKS A LOT :D

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Hahaha, I know, right.

Gotta love this thread and what has been said is so true. Do you want a good shaving razor or a name?

Bob

Pictures??

Gotta admit, i have been doing the same, picked up some mint razors for under $12, the most i have paid for a while is $20, got a Boker king cutter locally for $8, not mint, but gives a real good shave, my current favorite.

Here you go. Like I said not much to it but it is a great shaver.

looks like a score to me, well done.

My current fav's are two Fredrick Reynolds I got for about the same price. I have heard they are hard to hone but I have not had any problems and they are my best shavers right now. This one is close though.

Nice, nice, nice.

Are the scales horn? That's what they look like. There are several threads around about refurbing horn. Neatsfoot oil then buffing if I remember correctly. I'll bet they'll really come alive with just a little hand buffing.

Good score! That blade has enough steel to last a lifetime if you take care of it!

I don't think they are horn. I think they are celluloid or even cheap plastic. They are straight but flimsy. Doesn't matter though, the blade is what I am interested in.

Never got one, I'll be looking though.

What kind of things would one need to look for when purchasing a cheap SR.

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Originally Posted by Cbohn7885

What kind of things would one need to look for when purchasing a cheap SR.

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luck

my second straight i bought of ebay and its very good.

3rd was from a member at tsr and is not as good.


try to look for one that is not warped and no black spots/pitting

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Originally Posted by Cbohn7885

What kind of things would one need to look for when purchasing a cheap SR.

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Look at the pics. Beware of sellers that have only one or two pics and no close up of the blade. You are looking for blades with little to no rust, none on the actual edge. For cheap you aren't always going to find a mirror shiny blade but thats ok just no rust.Make sure you don't see any chips or visible dings. I don't worry too much about a few black spots as long as its not near the edge. Most of that comes out with 00 steel wool and compound. Ask the seller questions about the scales and look hard to see if there are any cracks. Personally I would stay away from very well known brands. Don't bid any more money that you think is worth a gamble. My limit is $25 bucks. You can pretty much forget about weather or not they are shave ready as one sellers shave ready may differ from anthers. A little spotting and discoloration on the blade and tang is fine. There are great razors to be had there but you gotta know what to look for. I have over 10 I got from there and all are great shavers and most under 20.

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Originally Posted by ccase39

Look at the pics. Beware of sellers that have only one or two pics and no close up of the blade. You are looking for blades with little to no rust, none on the actual edge. For cheap you aren't always going to find a mirror shiny blade but thats ok just no rust.Make sure you don't see any chips or visible dings. I don't worry too much about a few black spots as long as its not near the edge. Most of that comes out with 00 steel wool and compound. Ask the seller questions about the scales and look hard to see if there are any cracks. Personally I would stay away from very well known brands. Don't bid any more money that you think is worth a gamble. My limit is $25 bucks. You can pretty much forget about weather or not they are shave ready as one sellers shave ready may differ from anthers. A little spotting and discoloration on the blade and tang is fine. There are great razors to be had there but you gotta know what to look for. I have over 10 I got from there and all are great shavers and most under 20.

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A couple of thing you need to make sure is hone wear and make sure there is not a frown on the blade

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Originally Posted by Tylerbrycen

A couple of thing you need to make sure is hone wear and make sure there is not a frown on the blade

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Definitely. Those are probably the two most important things to look for. If theres even a slight frown run away.

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Originally Posted by Cbohn7885

What kind of things would one need to look for when purchasing a cheap SR.

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You don't want a cheap straight razor . You want an inexpensive straight razor . :D

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Originally Posted by Cbohn7885

What kind of things would one need to look for when purchasing a cheap SR.

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You don't want a cheap straight razor . You want an inexpensive straight razor . :D

If it works and you like it, then that's all that matters. Too many people get caught up in name brands. If it works, then it works.

Yep, just get one that is in good shape! Try a few different sizes/grinds/shapes and figure out what you like best before spending big $$. Try 5/8, 6/8, 7/8, full, quarter, half hollow, near wedge etc. and figure out what works best for your skin/beard. THEN drop the big bucks on something you LOVE to look at and hold in your hand and take good care of it!