Thread: A new buyers guide - Things to be aware of and to look out for.

Originally Posted by EdinLA44

As Gary mentioned, it's a difficult question to answer. You have to devote some time to learning about razors in general and with that comes the knowledge of what's good and what's not.

Ed

I'd like to thank everyone for the time and kind answers.

I would love to learn more about these razors, but it seems like much of the information concerning them are spread out or at least seems to be out of print. (This sounds like a fascinating read. If anyone has a copy, I'd love to pay to borrow it.)

Are there certain actions that can be done that would indicate certain features of these blades? (I am envisioning the try of scraping pearls against your teeth to check for imitation pearls being offered as real ones.)

To date, I have learned that certain celluoids have a "vinegary" odor. How can you easily differientiate between, say, cow bone and ivory? Or celluoid and plastic?


Some good comments that I have read here (and elsewhere) is to look for uneven blade wear.

This is confusing since I remember reading the Barber's manual that the foot of the blade (closest to the hinge pin) should be a little bowed out. Which is really the truth? A true straight edge all of the way or a slight bow near the foot?


Part of our general presumptions is that, "they just don't make quality things like they used to." As a general rule, I have found this to be true in our disposable, capitalistic American culture. Were there certain manufacturers (which are no longer around) that had a reputation and a legacy of having made very high quality steel in their razors? Where there certain shops whose quality and durability has proven the test of time?


Trust me, I have taken the advice to heart concerning contacting the Hone Masters concerning assistance. One of the reasons that I have been taking my time is that I enjoy learning about these items and that I have been budgeting for the necessary items that I will require in order to eventually be self sufficient.
(I am also currently a beginning DE shaver, so some of my budget is being set aside to pay for creams and such.)

I suppose that this is the greatest allure of SR shaving: the idea that I can still maintain a high quality shave while being free of the whims of the large manufacturers is very alluring.



Thank you, again, for taking a few moments to share your thoughts.

I, too, think that this would make an excellent "sticky" thread with the collective knowledge that we can all contribute. It might, indeed, become the defacto Straight Razor Buying Guide.

-joedy


ps (and a note to the Moderators) I just realized that I have accidentally posted this thread in both the General and the Newbies forum. Last evening I kept receiving error messages when I was trying to post to this forum. Somehow I ended up posting in both places. I apologize for the mistake.