favorite tools.

[citizenmouse]

hey.

i've desired to shave my legs (for starters) with a straight razor for a while now. after much research and not believing reviews i read online, i decided to talk to actual people.

what are you favorite razors?

i'm not looking to spend a fortune, but there's no way i'm buying a piece of garbage. please, give me some good companies, and also some to watch out for.

also, if anyone knows much about antique straight razors, i'd love to pick your brain a little.

thanks.

[thehekler]

Simple, look at the top of the screen, go to the classified section, buy any that appeal to you. The members here almost always sell for less then market value and only sell good quality straights. If your looking for new straight razor designs is top notch make sure you get a strop and that the blade is "shave ready."

I don't know where in new jersey you are but we are trying to organize a meet up in fort lee for the end of the month, looks like the 24th where you would be able to learn all you could ever want. There are many guys here that know an amazing amount about vintage straights most of us use them everyday.

[LarryAndro]

The three current straight razor manufacturers I know are Dovo, Thiers-Issard and Hart. You do fine with any razor from them.

I have purchased many vintage straight razors. And, truthfully, I don't recall any that I thought were not shave worthy. I am speaking about the quality of the razor when manufactured. Of course, vintage razors can be compromised after manufacture by rust and use.

With vintage razors, I don't think it too useful to give manufacturer names. If it is vintage, if it is structurally sound, it will shave well. Trying to find something specific, like Wostenholm or Boker or Wade and Butcher, might just cost you more.

With vintage, for your first purchase, buy on structural considerations like rust, scales, and pins. Get it honed. Get experience. After that, you can buy additional razors with some attention paid to manufacturer, collectibility and aesthetics.

[deighaingeal]

Welcome.
It looks like you got some great advice so far, you definitely came to the right place.

[Birnando]

Welcome to SRP.
Some fine advice in the above posts.
I would just like to say it one more time, regardless of what razor you do decide to buy, make sure it is professionally honed by someone with a reputation of doing it properly.
There are a few places that sell new razors without honing them before shipping.
Browse through the forums a bit, and you will soon see what vendors who does this properly

Good luck with it.
If I may, do browse through the Wiki, a couple of the many good articles in there can be found in my sig-line.

[sharptonn]

I would advise waiting until CarrieM gets on here! She is very helpful and Friendly. She can set you on the right (ladies') path !

[nanna]

I prefer the smaller straights for my under arms and delicate areas and for my legs I love the bigger heavier. I also use double edge when I don't have the time to take to really enjoy a straight shave. Brands don't really matter if you find one that you enjoy. I have a custom and I also have a little no name my husband found in an antique store they both shave amazing. As long as they are made of quality steel.

[cpcohen1945]

FWIW --

Spend some time reading the "Beginners Wiki" material. The world of straight razors is much more complicated than "What brand should I buy?".

Charles

[CarrieM]

Most ladies like to start out with a 4/8 or 5/8 size razor round point razor. Dovo has a couple of 5/8 size ones that you can get from Straight Razor Designs or you can take a look and see what may be on the classifieds. I prefer a 5/8 round point. My favorite razors are Vintage JR Torrey ones. I do use a double edge for under arms and other sensitive areas and when I don't have the time to use a straight. Check around at your local flea markets and garage sales and you should be able to find a vintage DE for $5 or less. Feel free to drop me a PM with any questions and welcome to the boards.