Thread: A razor to use for my first shot at honing...?

Not sure if this post should go in the honing section or razor but here goes.

I just sent out the Christmas list so hopefully I will soon be receiving a norton starter set 220, 1000, 4000/8000 and a yellow coticule. So I started searching the bay for a razor that I can cut my teeth on (pun intended ) when it comes to establishing a shave ready edge on a razor.

After browsing the razors to avoid list I cam across a few razors that were beyond my skill as far as repair and I found this: GOOL DOLLAR Razor Straight new - eBay (item 150378769669 end time Nov-06-09 19:51:48 PST)

This seems to good to be true. Should I avoid this Gold (Gool) razor and see what else the bay has in store for me?

The Gold Dollars are decent razors. From what I gather they are a bit like the Double Arrows but slightly better production quality. Should work for you. There is talk of a group buy of a box of 100 in the razors section, but no idea if that'll actually take off.

Originally Posted by jrlosh

This seems to good to be true. Should I avoid this Gold (Gool) razor and see what else the bay has in store for me?

Indeed it is too good to be true. IOW, it is probably pretty bad. In the SRP Wiki it has some that are to avoid and others that are recommended as good brands. Look for some of the recommended brands in full bladed condition with intact scales. Focus on vintage items "ending today" on ebay and look for something in decent condition that doesn't have a bid or has but a few.

If you shoot for a Filly, a puma or a dubl duck you'll probably pay more but there are many obscure Solingen full hollows that go for cheap. Don't look for rusted up or worn out when you can get a decent razor at a reasonable price to practice on. It doesn't have to be junk.

EDIT; Just read holli4pirating's post.... if he says it is good than it must be good .... I defer to his knowledge of the razor. I was not familiar with it but I stick with the rest of my post.

Here's a thread started by Seraphim, who works/worked with Double Arrow's and now I believe works with Gold Dollars (though I could be wrong)
http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...ar-razors.html

And here is a google site search of SRP for Gold Dollar's:
Google

Thanks for the heads up!

Gold Dollars are pretty solid razors. Best advice if you are looking for something to just try on though:

Go to buy it now on the bay, and pick up the cheapest possible vintage straight with a decent blade. I have a few I picked up for around the $10 mark shipped. That way you know it is a quality razor, and if you botch the thing you only blew $10.