Buy in Spain

I currently live in Spain and would like to get in to shaving with a straight razor. I am on the hunt for a razor. I am on a very strict budget due to my three kids and one on the way. I am looking at vintage blades that I can find around here. So my budget is a max of around $30. I do not mind learning how to get it to Shave ready. I tend to be pretty handy, it would be a good skill to master. Here is a few that I have found within my price point. What would you choose? Sorry for all the different Fonts. All of these razors have a little rust but the edge of the blades seem like they have no nicks. (from the pictures anyway) Any insight would be great. Thanks.


80 Razor Dovo Solingen stamp in the "Kacharbeit Solingen" leaf blade width 14 mm. It is a 9/16, has some cracks in the handle up to the top pin, $30

Filharmonics Shaving Double Tempo Jose Monserrat $24

20 Gotta Razor Solingen, stamped on the blade, no nicks or cracks $30

Razor Morley & Sons Germany, blade width 17 mm. 5.8 is a stamp "Extra Hollow Ground Fully Warranted" no nicks or cracks $30

N. Gesse of some sort, I asked for more info: $27

Guillermo Hoppe 14 for $18

C. Fredrico Ern Wald- solingen $38

We don't do valuations here so we can't give any judgments about the price and since there are no pictures we can't judge the condition of the razors.
All of the brands should be good(never heard about N. Gesse or Guillermo Hoppe).

Filharmonica is a panish brand that has a very good reputation and are very collectible, since you live in Spain I think you probably should be able to get one for a better price than the rest of us if you go to antique stores or local auction sites(similarly to how us Swedes have it easier to find Heljestrands and other Swedish razors at better prices than on Ebay. )

Another thing, It's rare around these parts that people save money on straight shaving, It's possible to get by with one or two razors, a strop, a brush, a soap, aftershave and a finishing hone for touch ups(this is the bare minimum that you'll need and the initial cost for all of this is quite a bit) but most members get one or several of the so called acquisition disorders and end up spending large sums on straight shaving.

Welcome to SRP, without seeing any pictures and assuming your description is accurate, Filarmonica's are high quality razors, Morley & Sons are fantastic shavers. Its all about the condition of the razor.

Hoppe 14 may be a winner,need pics tho

Thanks, this was the kind of feedback was looking for. General quality of the brands. Thanks Guys. I will post some photos if there is a general honesty among gentlemen with not buying things out from under people when in this choosing/hunting process. =) From the feel of things though I thing most people here seem like good people. Thanks again.

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80 Razor Dovo Solingen stamp in the "Kacharbeit Solingen"

Attachment 181877Attachment 181865 Filarmonica

Test for picture to see if will upload.

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20 Gotta Razor Solingen, stamped on the blade, no nicks or cracks $30

Razor Morley & Sons Germany, blade width 17 mm. 5.8 is a stamp "Extra Hollow Ground Fully Warranted" no nicks or cracks $30Attachment 181868

N. Gesse of some sort, I asked for more info: $27
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Guillermo Hoppe 14 for $18

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SOLINGEN GERMANY CARL RADER1920 FERICO ERN WALD

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I drift towards the Filarmonica, Morley and Gotta.

Here is a mystery, No markings of any kinds. ?????

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I would pass on the first razor posted. It is hard to tell from the picture but the rust spots
do not look good at the edge.
Looking at razor 2 I cannot see the edge clearly enough to make a judgement call.
Razor's 3 and4 looking like they would take a nice shaving edge.
I can not see enough of the blade on razor 5 to make a judgement call.
Razor 6 looks like it could take a nice edge.
Razor 7 looks like it could take a nice edge as well.
I would pass on razor 8 unless you know a serious honer as
that blade needs some help.

Good luck and welcome to SRP you live in one of my favorite cities. : )

I posted one more picture of number 2 the Filarmonica. Thanks for lending me a trained eye.

I would pass on them all.JMO,Spain is a country of some of the greatest Razors ever made.
I have a friend in Barcelona that haunts flea markets,he comes up with some of the greatest razors I have ever seen.
Keep looking,the blades above are just generic Razors,IMO.Most are pretty well burned out.

What Should I "keep my Eye on" We are going to antique shops tomorrow if it does not rain.

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Originally Posted by Ravencry

What Should I "keep my Eye on" We are going to antique shops tomorrow if it does not rain.

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First off, do not go nuts buying razors on a whim,look at Honeware,look for blade cracks,inspect the edge with a loop.
Do not buy rust buckets.
Great razors are precision instruments,look at them from that aspect.

If looking to save money good luck ,, hones will far exceed your $30 budget , but some of them are good brands just look them over real good Tc

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ravencry

What Should I "keep my Eye on" We are going to antique shops tomorrow if it does not rain.

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You should spend some time in the http://straightrazorpalace.com/aucti...bay-101-a.html thread as well as other threads in the ebay section. As you can see from the razors you were considering you have no experience to tell a razor in good condition from a razor in bad condition and that is the most important. So the risk of just wasting your money is quite high and you should work on reducing it by learning more.

The type of razors you are after with your budget tend to require significant honing all the way from repairing the edge to finishing it. That's a significant barrier and requires honing equipment and skills. Have you considered this part? What hones do you plan to use to make your razor ready to shave?

Well which ever razor you decide to take a chance on, best of luck. I am a little further on the straight shaving road then you are Ravencry, but I would still consider myself to be a beginner and even though I now own almost 30 razors, there is still a LOT I have to learn. Take it as it comes and enjoy.
By the way, that Guillermo hoppe razor for 18 dollars,, did anybody notice the marking on the tang? Solingen, and what looks very much like the Henkels twin works logo? If that razor was made by Henkels and sold under this fella' Guillermo Hoppe's name...... $18.. surely worth a punt at that price?
Anyway good luck in your search, all the best

Thanks guys for all your help. I went razor hunting today and came up empty. Saw a few hoppes and a few Filarmonicas but they were not in good shape. I met a guy who has a few that should be in better shape that I am going to try and see this weekend. We will see. Thanks again.

Take your time,do not buy junk.

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Originally Posted by Ravencry

I drift towards the Filarmonica, Morley and Gotta.

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Dead on target

My Dear I'm spanish too and most of brands are good. I have G Hoppe( bougth by the twins) at that time great reputation,my personal experiece is great. Filarmonica JMP IS our national Pride. I have some and all good. For shaving Not so easy the especial para pelo. It's from time when hair cut with SR Was in fashion and actually cheaper but far smoller in size and performance in shaving
The models originally 7/8 or more even More than that Some of them very worn (deferent conditions) still performing very well. But much more expensives than your budget
I'm far to be an expert. Just learning but if you want Private message me do Not esitate
Happy to be in this Forum

My choice of the razors you have posted would be either the Morley or the Ern Wald
I have shaved with a pro honed WM Morley and find them a very good blade
Best of luck in your search and welcome to SRP

This is what I ended up with. Joseph Feist Omega Solingen. Shave ready, was treetopping my arm hair without any work done to it.

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Buy a new professionally honed shave ready razor instead. Buying a vintage for 30$ is cheap but you'll end up spending hundreds to restore them hones etc. It'll be cheaper if you buy a professionaly honed new razor instead then you won't need to worry about honing for at least 6 months. Or if you are really on a tight budget go with a shavette the dovo shavette is cheap and a very good razor for its price.

I think all that i will need to shave is some stropping. It has a very nice straight edge with very little wear at the point and heel. I think it will take very little work even for a novice like me to get it going. I hope at least =)

You definitely need those types of razors honed. Stropping will not sharpen your blade. That's not what Stropping is for

I just had my first Straight razor shave. No blood and a clean smooth face. A slight bit of tugging but only in the thickest places. All in all a very nice experience.

Good to hear that you waited untill a shave ready blade came along ;) especially good for your butget!

I started with a second hand blade in a so so condition and a coticule in order to keep the price down,... now I have 8 finishing hones and ~20 straight razors, luckely the RAD and HAD are cooling down a bit :)

Hahaha, I here that it can from an addiction, but at least it its better than some. Advice on a cheap way to get your honing done?

Maybe to rephrase the question. If I happen to come across a vintage whetstone at an antique store, what are some things I should look for for a good stone??