Geoff from Holland

[GeoffVane]

Hello Razorists,

My name is Geoff and I'm looking for some info.


First I'd like to say I'm not interested in the collectors' value of a razor.
Functionality comes first.
Good looks and as easy maintainance as possible
(even though open razors need more care), are important too.


The razor should arrive ready to shave;
I don't want to have check lots of things or make adjustments.
I want a new open / straight razor by a brand still in business.
No used vintage stuff.
I won't buy any Asain razors, as I found the reviews varied a lot.


I've found a few brands, some were not getting consistent reviews or they were difficult to get in Europe, so I skipped them.


The most popular brands I found:


A. Dovo
B. Böker
C. Henckel-Zwilling- Friodur
D. Thiers-Issard


Less findable:

E. Muhle
F. Timor
G. Wacker


Maybe I can't go wrong with any of them brands but I'm trying to get as close to what I want as possible.


Questions:


1. Would golden accents rub off or is it durable? (I'd hate to see the looks fade)
2. If you want less hassle, is stainless steel better or is normal steel best?
(I would shave twice a week. If I can keep the razor in a damp bathroom, that would be handy)
3. Is stainless truly stainless? Since some people say it still can't be stored in a bathroom.
4. I've not selected Thiers-Issard, since some say they have problems with holding the gold details and mechanical stability of the shell. How flimsy are they?
5. Is silver steel something I should want?
6. A Thiers-Issard is said to be sharper than a Dovo. But then you'd seem to need an expensive TI whilst Dovo is always at the same level. What's the exact story?


Here I've posted some candidates. The Wacker seems nice but the details look less precise...
Feel free to comment on these models, please.

[Havachat45]

G'Day Geoff and welcome - glad to have another member here who spells their name the same as I do...

I can't really comment on most of your questions 'cause I have never bought a brand new razor (that was any good).

I've honed a few Dovos and G+F's and they were good shavers and I like the look of the Wackers.

All razors will (probably) need to be honed before you can use them as the factory edge is not what we would call shave ready.

IME the gold wash is a bit 'fragile'.

Hopefully someone else will chime in with more experience than I

Hope this helps a bit

[GeoffVane]

Says Geoff to Geoff. Cool!

So I need to hone a new blade.

Honing ain't the same as stropping? Do I need a 4000/8000 stone?

I've seen a movie where a guy was moving a blade over a stone, but he put it on sharp edge first, pushing it over the stone. I thought it would be better to rest the edge on the stone and carefully pull the blade in stead of pushing it...

[Wintchase]

IMO the Wacker is the best choice. Ihave one and love it...on honing you can look on you tube and here and get all the info you will need.

[GeoffVane]

Which movie is correct? There are many wrong examples too I guess.

I'm still not sure if stainless is a big advantage or not...

[kalerolf]

Hi Geoff
Welcome to this great forum.
If you want to buy a new rezor take a look on both of the links. The have great razors and are great vendors
have fun and let us now what kind of razor you purchased.
wacker

and

Revisor

[Havachat45]

Says Geoff to Geoff. Cool!

So I need to hone a new blade.

Honing ain't the same as stropping? Do I need a 4000/8000 stone?

I've seen a movie where a guy was moving a blade over a stone, but he put it on sharp edge first, pushing it over the stone. I thought it would be better to rest the edge on the stone and carefully pull the blade in stead of pushing it...

I would suggest that you don't try to hone until you have the experience of knowing what a shave ready blade feels like on your face.

In the early stages of this journey it can be a bit confusing with learning how to strop, trying different angles, pressure, face prep etc to see what is your optimum method.

When you add into that learning how to hone as well, it can be a really steep learning curve, although not insurmountable.

If you really want to learn to hone, I would recommend searching YouTube for gssixgun's honing videos, as he explains what he is doing and why he is doing it. That's where I learned. FWIW I like the Naniwa 3/8 stone, but I didn't know that until I'd learned to hone properly....

Also, getting you razor from one of the vendors here will almost guarantee that you get a shave ready edge from the start - always a big +

I hope this helps

[randydance062449]

Welcome to SRP

The gold wash is fragile. Stay away from it.

Stainless is not rustproof but does not rust as easily as plain carbon steel. However, the best way to prevent rust is to be sure all shaving soap is removed followed by gently drying the blade. Do not put it away damp and not in the bathroom.

Purchase a size of either 5/8 or 6/8. The dimensions refer to the width of the blade.

Honing, have the razor honed by a pro. It is a mistake to try to learn to hone on your first razor.
Most of the reputable vendors will offer a separate honing service.

Your located in Holland/Netherlands?

Here is a list of SRP members with a Location of "Holland in their profile....
http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...sername&order=

and a location of "Netherland"

http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...sername&order=

and have a look at the following Forum.....

BeNeLux Area

Hope this helps,

[GeoffVane]

I still haven't decided yet. Meanwhile, have any of you heard of NTS? They say those are improved Parkers. I don't heard about Parker either.

razors - By on good terms online from NTS-Solingen!

The price seems good.