Thread: Holy Grail of Razors

I am fairly new to the world of straight razors. I have seen many razors traded on eBay and on this site but I was curious as to wether or not there is some sort of concensus as to the holy grail of straight razors? Is there a razor that would be considered by many to be the razor to have? I would love to hear the feedback.

Thanks
Jim

Well for me( I don't own a custom razor, not because I don't want one).
1) Hen and Rooster
2) Ern Crown and Sword
3) Any TI
4 )Double Duck
For starters

Phil

Jim,

The only answer I can think of is ...no, there is no holy grail of razors. What is the bees knees to one person is just ho-hum to another.

Alot of guys like the one off customs from Mastro Livi, Robert Williams (Papabull), and Joe Chandler. All three make beautiful pieces. Some guys flip for Double Ducks in any form. Others go for the Friodurs....so basically the variety is endless.

My advice...shave with a bunch of different razors and you will find what your "Holy Grail" should be.

Ray

P.S. Mine turned out to be a Custom from Joe Chandler (6/8, single concave, stainless, spike point).

People seem to go crazy about Dubl Ducks, but I didn't have a great experience with mine. Another well-appreciated brand is Wade and Butcher. Mine stands out but I have had better. Gencos have a great reputation and mine is my #2 shaver, which is pretty damn good. The best shaver in my rotation is a Taylor's Eye Witness 6/8 round point.

Jimmy,

I'm still fairly new at this as well, and would have to agree with what has been stated. It really comes down to personal preference. I love my Filarmonica. Dovo Special, and NOS Dovo Super Bismarck. I have a Dubl Duck and haven't had a great experience with it, but I'm trying. Would love to try a TI due to their rep but that doesn't guarantee a good experience. Half the fun is trying out different blades and seeing what I like. You'll find your own holy grail, don't worry.

Yes, the one that has been honed to perfection.

As everyone has already mentioned it is a matter of personal opinion. Great ones to have though are razors that you, yourself, can easily keep shaving sharp. As your experiences in honing increase so will the realm of great shavers for you.

among my favorites are Marshes & Shepperd, H.M. Christiansen, Maestro Livi, Robert Williams and T. Hessen-Bruch razors

What do i buy whenever i can? Marshes and Shepperd (or any of their predecessors).. there is just something i like about their steel and designs.

I don't think there is any holy grail when it comes to razors. At least not to me. Some are better than others and some are alot better than others and some are custom and cost big bucks but I can't think of any one razor that if I had three of them I would sell every other razor I had. Would you?

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I don't think there is any holy grail when it comes to razors. At least not to me. Some are better than others and some are alot better than others and some are custom and cost big bucks but I can't think of any one razor that if I had three of them I would sell every other razor I had. Would you?

No i would not... even if i had 7, 9 or 14 identical razor i still would occassioanly want something different. It like with whiskey, normally i drink single malt or cognac, every now and then i need a bottle of tequilla. or women... "You need a wife, a mistress, a girlfriend and occasionally a prostitute" (i forget who said that but it was a french diplomat in the 1980s, pretty sure, could have been his mistress, though)

For me Robert Williams custom

But I have / had others cheaper and almost (not quite but still close) as nice.

Cheers
Ivo