Life-long razor for <$100?

Hi all,

Since Perth, Australia does not offer such an elaborate choice of razors to choose from (those being available priced at over $200AUD) and the interwebs vastly cheaper and offering more options - I have turned to the eBay in search of my first straight.

After reading this forum, I was warded away from the BG Buckingham & Sons Cherry Pakka, Half-hollow, paper-re-inforced 'bread knife' moments before sending my hard-earned cash their way.

After reading up about the dos/don'ts I purchased a Hen & Rooster (Spanish distributed) razor for around $40. My conception of this brand is that it does have some quality background in Germany and has changed hands a number of times. I'm aware this blade will not be to German standards, however hopefully it will last a while as a learning razor (Perhaps a little longer).

Item link:
Hen Rooster and Fire Mist Green Corelon Straight Razor Pocket Knife Knives | eBay

I am in the market for a decent straight razor which will last longer than me and maybe even be able to be passed on.
Problems with this include both my terribly low budget and me not being able to see in person what I'm going to be purchasing.

This razor has to be of good quality and meet the following specifications:
<$100 (or $150 Quality German steel)
5/8"
Full hollow or half hollow
Black or wooden (not faux or plastic) scales
New (Preferably)
Shave ready

If you could list some reputable brands, it would be a good start in my search for a quality blade.
I know this is a bit of an ask, but with the mining industry big in Perth everything is much more than it needs to be in terms of cost - especially for a 19-year-old, living-from-home, minimum wage hospitality worker.

I was looking at Gold Dollar (for the cost), but again, this is something I'd like to keep forever and ever. Dovo seem just beyond my price range, however I suppose i'd be willing to fork out up to $150 if it was of upmost quality.

I'd appreciate any recommendations for straights or comments about the Spanish H&R razor I purchased/how I am going about beginning/how I should be going about beginning.

Attached is my not-so-descriptive picture of the Spanish H&R.

Ta,
Steve. :)
Attachment 134215

There are probably too many brands to list and frankly, given your desires, it might be unnecessarily limiting to go by brand names. Take a look in the classifieds here at SRP and you'll find a few that might fit your requirements. And if not today, check again tomorrow.

Avoid temptation to buy a Gold Dollar... your face will thank you.

to be honest i would see if you can get a refund for that razor before you use it

+1 on keep looking in classifieds here

Dude, right here in classifieds: Frederick Reynolds Straight Razor w/ Case - Straight Razor Place Classifieds
It has a bit of a smile and spine wear, however is vintage, has what looks like horn scales and fits within your budget.

FRs are a little hard to hone, but Sheffield folks know what they were doing - it's a good razor.

Welcome to SRP. We have a number of members in your neck of the woods who you might contact for tips on where to find a razor in Australia. Check out this forum and maybe post in introduction or PM a senior member ; Down under

The Hen & Rooster you linked to was made in Spain and from what I've read is a "Hen & Rooster" in name only. It is not a "good" razor and does not compare to the Solingen made version. Keep in mind I'm only going by what I've read and not from personal experience with the Spanish H&Rs. I have a couple of Solingens that are great. No help there but just saying.

Yes, another +1 on the classifieds here. It's like eBay but you get a trusted source, and it's usually shave ready. And some smoking prices...
And new a Dovo/Ralf Aust can be had for around $80, but that's plastic scales. You can always do scales yourself at a later date. Or I believe you can just buy replacement wood scales for pretty cheap. Good luck!

Myself, I'm looking at Revisor razors (Home). They start well within your budget, you would only have to get it honed, but there are plenty people in Australia willing to do that for you.

Good luck on your search!

Beyond used razors I would also try to find out what razors people are NOT selling. In other words the Keepers. For example, I will never sell my Dovo Best Quality razors. Now, if they would only become in stock once again. :aargh: They are very plain, cheap for what you get and will last 2 lifetimes. More importantly, if you were blindfolded and shaved by a barber with one that is properly honed and stropped but told this was a _________(fill in the blank with a fancy schmancy $800+ razor) - you would believe it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 1holegrouper

Beyond used razors I would also try to find out what razors people are NOT selling. In other words the Keepers. For example, I will never sell my Dovo Best Quality razors. Now, if they would only become in stock once again. :aargh: They are very plain, cheap for what you get and will last 2 lifetimes. More importantly, if you were blindfolded and shaved by a barber with one that is properly honed and stropped but told this was a _________(fill in the blank with a fancy schmancy $800+ razor) - you would believe it.

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Is that the best quality you've mentioned? Amazon.com: Dovo Best Quality, Full Hollow Carbon Steel, 5/8", Black Handle: Health & Personal Care

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Originally Posted by olbez

Is that the best quality you've mentioned? Amazon.com: Dovo Best Quality, Full Hollow Carbon Steel, 5/8", Black Handle: Health & Personal Care

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Yes. That's it. I prefer the 6/8 size though.

I just bought a Revisor and it was delivered yesterday. I still can't completely give it my endorsement because I have yet to use it. But others here would gladly do so. Here is a nice option for you and its right in your price range. Don't forget, you get 15% off (taxes). I would think that after shipping and everything, you would be right where you need to be.

5/8

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Originally Posted by 1holegrouper

Yes. That's it. I prefer the 6/8 size though.

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Options galore in under $150 range. :)

The last I heard Hen and Rooster was bought by Frost Cutlery and they don't exactly make quality stuff. I think the price tells you all you need to know about that razor.

SRD is sold out of everything!

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Originally Posted by MJB

SRD is sold out of everything!

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Yes they are. Supply and demand are not always equalized for reasonably priced quality new straight razors but this shortage will be over soon. This is a good opportunity to explore some good vintage stuff.

Look. Vintage razors provide the best shave, IMO. Ebay is an excellent source. Shave ready and not. Lots of junk as well. What YOU need is for someone to help you sort out the stuff. I am a mentor, I can help. So can any knowlegable members here. Post what you are thinking of buying. Leave the prices out of it. Quality will find you! Best advise I can give. ;)

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Originally Posted by stip16s

Hi all,

Since Perth, Australia does not offer such an elaborate choice of razors to choose from (those being available priced at over $200AUD) and the interwebs vastly cheaper and offering more options - I have turned to the eBay in search of my first straight.

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Welcome to the 'Place'.
You can buy online in Oz for less than $200. Mensbiz is one shop that comes to mind that has Dovos currently in stock.

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Originally Posted by MJB

SRD is sold out of everything!

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I just checked and they still have this in stock for $99: RALF AUST - RAZOR MANUFACTURE SOLINGEN 5/8" BLACK. I got mine today (ordered Saturday) and it is terrific! I'm still a newbie, but it is the first shave I've had where the razor just glided and cut my beard BBS.

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Originally Posted by Haroldg48

I just checked and they still have this in stock for $99: RALF AUST - RAZOR MANUFACTURE SOLINGEN 5/8" BLACK. I got mine today (ordered Saturday) and it is terrific! I'm still a newbie, but it is the first shave I've had where the razor just glided and cut my beard BBS.

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I saw that, was going to pull the trigger but went with a Dovo 6/8 Best at RoyalShave instead.

NOW you get to search out razor honers in AU! :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MJB

I saw that, was going to pull the trigger but went with a Dovo 6/8 Best at RoyalShave instead.

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Congrats on your purchase! I am sure it'll serve you well for many many years!

I am fairly new and also in WA, first razor I bought was from the bay, vintage and liked nice, however I knew nothing about razors, after a lengthy email exchange with onimaru decided not to use it and get something else, he gave me lots of assistance, and has honed 2 of my razors. I would suggest not getting too hung up on new or plastic scales, scales can be changed and a good blade lasts centuries in some case. My 2 razors that I use both came in a round about way via this site, were about $50 each and are perfectly good, though not fancy. Once more proficient I might trade up, or not - maybe just fancy up the ones I've got.
Bear in mind that a good vintage razor may already be honed dependant on the source, usually new ones aren't. This will save you a good $40 with postage both ways.
You are obviously going to need a brush, strop etc. i would advise some sort of pre-shave, glycerin is very cheap, works and you can use it in your soap to make good lather.

I've used my factory edge Dovo 6/8 twice now, and I have to say aside from being just a bit less "civilized" than a Dovo 5/8 I bought from SRD, this thing shaves nice. I've stropped it about 150 times, but this puppy is working out well. I may have to rethink this whole factory edge thing....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MJB

I've used my factory edge Dovo 6/8 twice now, and I have to say aside from being just a bit less "civilized" than a Dovo 5/8 I bought from SRD, this thing shaves nice. I've stropped it about 150 times, but this puppy is working out well. I may have to rethink this whole factory edge thing....

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Sometimes you get lucky and get a good one that received a bit of extra attention. Sometimes you don't, IME.

I just got a brand new Boker tree brand 5/8 full hollow with micarta scales for 99 bucks American including shipping and handling from Ebay so I think you'll fair ok.

So far, some of the best shaving razors I have are vintage engels and a nos sta-sharp. You can find the engels on ebay for less than 100.00. As to a new razor, the best low cost new razor I have is a Dovo inox in ebony scales (Lynn honed) that cost about 138.00. I did buy one of the new Hen & Rooster razors last year...to be "blunt" it's junk. One of my relatives has what I will call a "real" Hen & Rooster, and it is a very fine razor, not at all like what is being sold under the same name today. Return the Hen & Rooster if you can or use it as an interesting paperweight or for practice on a strop/hone

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Originally Posted by Paul38

So far, some of the best shaving razors I have are vintage engels and a nos sta-sharp. You can find the engels on ebay for less than 100.00. As to a new razor, the best low cost new razor I have is a Dovo inox in ebony scales (Lynn honed)at cost about .00. I did buy oopenerthe new Hen & Rooster razors last year...to be "blunt" it's junk. One of my relatives has what I will call a "real" Hen & Rooster, and it is a very fine razor, not at all like what is being sold under the same name today. Return the Hen & Rooster if you can or use it as an interesting paperweight or for practice on a strop/hone

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aww cmon, you could use it as a letter opener at least. :-)

When I first started to pursue my straight razor interest I got took a few times before I found srp. First was a bud k Krieger and then I found vintage straight razor .com and bought a GB Buckingham and when I verry first got it it looked like a genuine quality blade to my novice untrained eye so I went straight and got another that hadn't been honed for me to practice honing n stepping on. Then I bought a crappy cracked hard and warped strop from em. And then I found SRP and got a dovo, hones, a good strop. I was wondering why I had to strop the GB buck 6 times per shave and it was still uncomfortable. Man how I wish I would have found SRP first. I blew about 200 to 250 in hard earned cash before I knew any better. But I'm all good now.

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Originally Posted by Swerve

When I first started to pursue my straight razor interest I got took a few times before I found srp. First was a bud k Krieger and then I found vintage straight razor .com and bought a GB Buckingham and when I verry first got it it looked like a genuine quality blade to my novice untrained eye so I went straight and got another that hadn't been honed for me to practice honing n stepping on. Then I bought a crappy cracked hard and warped strop from em. And then I found SRP and got a dovo, hones, a good strop. I was wondering why I had to strop the GB buck 6 times per shave and it was still uncomfortable. Man how I wish I would have found SRP first. I blew about 200 to 250 in hard earned cash before I knew any better. But I'm all good now.

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Mistakes can help us onto the right path. :)

The answer to this is very simple. Purchase a "shave ready" vintage in the classifieds here as your first razor. You will get a great lifelong razor that will give you the best chance at a good shave especially when starting out.