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.
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/24373658/Ra...r%20140521.jpghttps://dl.dropbox.com/u/24373658/Ra...o%204580_1.jpghttps://dl.dropbox.com/u/24373658/Razor/Friodur.jpghttps://dl.dropbox.com/u/24373658/Razor/M%C3%BChle.jpghttps://dl.dropbox.com/u/24373658/Ra...r%20Deluxe.jpghttps://dl.dropbox.com/u/24373658/Razor/Wacker.jpghttps://dl.dropbox.com/u/24373658/Ra...ker%20inox.jpg