Hello Gentlemen.

A good day to all of you gentlemen here. Im new to the concept of straight razor shaving, although i have been using the disposable kind since quite a few years but i just turned 21 a few days back and thought i would take things up a notch. The main problem i have been encountering since the past few months is finding a good straight razor. Here in the UAE there is no concept of such razors so i can not find any here. Ive been looking at ebay for some good razors but the recommended ones (dovo, boker) are quite expensive and i can't just seem to throw a winning bid on vintage blade auctions. Is it possible to find a good/acceptable shave ready razor for about $50 (give or take $10)? I am also not sure which razors actually are shave ready when they are sold which is a matter i would like to clear since i dont have the means to purchase a hone atm (although i do have my eyes on the norton 4k/8k since it has been recommended by many). So here i am at straight razor place since i have read how helpful and experienced you gentlemen are and so i dont think i can get better advice from anywhere else.

My most sincerest apologies if i have been too demanding.

Regards,
Hal.

PS: I had been researching since a few months but it is just recently that i decided that i really want to go for it.

apologies if it was misunderstood.

Welcome to the learning curves.

With that budget, you have a few trusted options, whippeddog or SRP's Classifieds. The whipped dog sight unseen with cosmetic non shaving flaws is usually the cheapest way to go.

Jonathan

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Datsots

Welcome to the learning curves.

With that budget, you have a few trusted options, whippeddog or SRP's Classifieds. The whipped dog sight unseen with cosmetic non shaving flaws is usually the cheapest way to go.

Jonathan

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Thank you Jonathan

I agree with Johnathan. Whipped Dog razors may not be pretty but they are sound and sharp. The SRP classifieds are also a good choice but you have to check them frequently (daily) because they don't last long. Both will sell you a shave ready razor.
Welcome to the party.

Aloha welcome to SRP happy hunting.

thankyou all very much.
i want to know if this particular razor actually is a boker, even if it isn't it comes with the box which in its own way is sort of a collectible. is it a fine purchase? or an incredibly unsatisfying one.
Vintage H. Boker 1/2 Inch Blade Curved Shank Straight Razor Etched Tree Tang Box | eBay

Here's a crash course on ebay purchases.

1. Toe heavy hone ware. Indicates honing will require slightly advanced technique. The fibers hanging off the razors toe could be indications of all sorts of issues, from magnetism to a burr edge. Look for straight lines, even smiles and smooth lines.

2. High shoulder. In this case it looks to be caused by poor honing technique, but will require careful correction. This correction will also take care of the slight frown/hook that developed. Look for even wear on the spine near the shoulder. If the wear forms a smooth continuous reflection is likely fine.

3. No visible makers mark. Indicates that it may not be worth what other Bokers would go for. The seller may have been intentionally misleading as there is no close up of either side of the tang where a makers mark is usually found. However even unmarked vintage razors are usually made of decent steel, a pro honer would be able to fix the geometry problems and asses the edge holding ability. Where as a first timer would likely have a lot of frustration.

4. Patina is appropriate to find on an old razor that has seen some careless treatment. No obvious pitting near the edge, a good sign. Variation in the patina is worry some if you want a mirror shine on the blade, it may indicate deep pitting

Attachment 112857

I would not have payed the price that this one went for, after all I am a cheap skate. With patients and snipping razors of this quality can be had for much less. This razor can most likely be brought back.

Now for your homework :) Do a search for ebay 101 and read the threads that produces, but start with this Ebay 101 thread.

Jonathan

ah that is some detailed information.
wilco
thank you!

Looking back over this thread I see I forgot to say that issue 2 in post 8 could be a non issue if the tang begins to tapper near the first stabilizer. Without a photo looking down on the top of the razor it is hard to tell.

Jonathan