Thread: Help me choose?

Gentlemen,

After starting a month ago shaving with a timor blue steel which I really like, I have decided to get a new razor so that I have two good ones until I learn how to hone the ebay specials that I have. Now that I am comfortable that I like the straights I also feel like I can spend a bit more for a more "refined" razor.
I have a few choices that I have narrowed it down to and would like some input from some of the more experienced shavers on here.

My first possibility is a 5/8 wacker from John Crowleys shop. I like the look of it but dont know anything about wackers ( the brand anyway ). I like my timor 5/8 a lot and think that this one would be comparable but a little nicer.
it is here:
http://www.shavingshop.com/index.php...1%26sale%3Dyes

Second is a henckles here:
http://www.cutleryandmore.com/details.asp?SKU=10471
I am only looking at this one because of the good things I have read about them....

I have read also about how much people like the larger blades here. Another possibility I am looking at is this 8/8 henckles:
http://www.shavingshop.com/index.php...1%26sale%3Dyes
I have never shaved with a blade this size, the biggest I have tried is a 6/8 genco that I got off of ebay. I don't like it much, but it may have something to do with poor honing. It was listed as shave ready by a guy who says he shaves with them before selling them.

I do have a pretty thick beard and sensitive skin, so from what I have read the larger blade might be good for me, but my best shaves to date have come from a 5/8 that I am sure is shaving sharp.

any ideas/opinions?

Word is that Wakers are tremendous razors. If you've been playing with a 5/8 though you might want someting a little different.

Henckels are also top shelf and that 5/8 is SS so that's a little different.

Of course 8/8 sure is different. The square tip is different from round. I found 8/8 to be a little too big for my liking. 6/8 are fine and I have even enjoyed 7/8.

The nice thing about any of those razors is that you should be able to sell them for about as much as you paid for them if you decide to change again. They're all great choices, so ... uhm ... ONE OF EACH!

X

Don't know much about Wackers, but that one sure looks the goods. I bought an 8/8 Friodur from John Crowley last year - superb razor, one of the best shavers I have, excellent service from John too.

I like the extra weight in the bigger razor, and my beard is reasonably heavy too. Only downside is that the Friodur steel is a bit harder than carbon steel, so getting it sharp is a bit more effort. On the plus side, it stays sharp longer once it's there.

Tough choice - I'm tempted to agree with X - get all of them! Good luck with whatever you decide - I'm pretty sure you can't go wrong with any of them, really.

James.

That 6/8 Genco needs honing - they are tremendous razors; I've got one myself and love it. You may want to send it to Lynn for a good honing.

BTW, where are you located? Are you still in college station?

Edit 2: I've got the 6/8 version of that friodur from cutleryandmore and like it.

nope, I am in the lions den......Austin

I don't understand - what Genco? The three straights that were linked were Henckels and an ESPE?

I actually have that ESPE, and believe it or not, I just got it back from Lynn to whom I sent it for sharpening - I have not used it yet, but yes, it is pretty - the scales are a little out of wack and there is no idenitfying marks on the razor indicating that it is a "Wacker" - but it is certainly pretty - I just don't know if it is going to have the indicated resale value.

I got a Revisor from John too, and it really is a special blade - look for them on Ebay as John no longer has them. I enjoyed working with John too, as he is local to me, and dealt with me and my stupid questions.

I think 6/8 is about as wide a blade as will ever really be inteested in, the 5/8 is easy to maneuver, but the 6/8 is still decent, I think any bigger and it would be more difficult in my opinion. If you are newer, I would stick to a 5/8 until you are more comfortable, and move up from there...

If you want a report on the ESPE, send me a PM and I will let you know how it goes tomorrow.

K

I already have the genco 6/8........got it on ebay. It seems like it could be a decent shaver, but I cant get a good edge on it as I just started honing. From looking at the site, it seems that waker dosent put any identifying marks on the blades since they are already done. It looks like he just does the grinding and finishing work on them.

What kind of shape is the Genco in? If it's in decent condition it can be made to shave as well or better than any of the razors you're looking at. Lynn or one of the honemeisters can put a spectacular edge on it for about $20 which is a lot cheaper than a new razor. Unless you've just got the itch for a new razor, which I certainly understand. But any new razor will need honing by somebody that really knows how - wackers and friodurs are tricky to hone unless you've got some experience with them.

yes, my plan is to send whichever I get out to lynn so that I can have 2 correctly honed razors to shave with while I get the genco in shape. And I would like a razor that is nice looking. The others I have are pretty plain..... Yes, I'm just making excuses

I have a Henckels 7/8 from John Crowley and it's one of the nicest shavers I own, I'm considering buying another for travelling one day as mine has special scales.