Time to play "Kick the Newbie Around"

Greetings,

I just became a member! I have never used a straight razor or been shaved by a barber with one, but I have decided to jump in head-first!

I went to an antique shop yesterday and found a leather case from the back of a display. I opened the case and inside was an H. Boker & Co. razor with "King Cutter" on the blade. It did not look much used, only that the steel looked dull. I bought it for $25 and gave it a swipe with jewelers rouge and it shined beautifully. I think that it was good deal.

However, I digress, there was another razor there that was seemed well constructed and in perfect condition. It has the name "Kavall" on it. It was only $38 but I have never heard of the brand (I had heard of Boker). Is that a good brand? It was not on the "good razor" list on the website.

Thanks for the help!

Nice score on the Boker! I don't have any experience with the other one. Dive in, the water is fine. Be sure to spend plenty of time reading the wiki for information on techniques.

PM coming...

Welcome to SRP. I don't know that maker but if it is a Solingen made razor (sounds like it to me from the name) it is probably a good one. If you have a cell phone camera and posted a photo more would probably be revealed. Needless to say you should have that razor honed by a pro before you start to shave with it. :gl:

We don't kick n00bs here, we just laugh when the cut themselves. :D

X

Quote:

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Originally Posted by xman

We don't kick n00bs here, we just laugh when the cut themselves. :D

X

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The deeper the cut, the louder the laugh :roflmao

Welcome on board!
We have all been new at one time or another.

Read Lynn's post:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...ead-first.html

and the Wiki.

Take it slow. Go for comfort and don't expect BBS for a while yet.

Good luck.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by xman

We don't kick n00bs here, we just laugh when the cut themselves. :D

X

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http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/p...ul/newbies.jpg

Welcome to SRP!

Grats on the Boker, and welcome.

welcome to SRP! You did fine with the Boker, I haven't heard of the other brand, but that doesn't mean it isn't a good one.

With regard to the Kavall, here is one from the forum. The name blade is the same, except it is standard steel (just in case, it might help).

It is pictured in the post #11

http://straightrazorpalace.com/shavi...s-steel-2.html

welcome to srp

well, how much do you want to gamble? you wouldn't know how good the razor is until it's honed up and tried, so you have to decide for yourself whether the $40 plus whatever it takes to get it cleaned up and honed is worth to you the test. chances are that it will be good, but there's not enough information on the brand and their consistency (like their is with boker or dubl duck) to say anything more.

Hello, Etypejag:

Welcome to SRP and the world of gentlemanly shaving.

Gugi is right: you never know what you have until you send the razor to a professional for cleanup and honing. I, too, recommend that.

In your case, we all hope the Boker turns out to be a charmer.

Regards,

Obie