Thread: Looking for a suitable first blade!

Hi there,

Totally new to this, so I'd love to be helped by those who are more knowledgeable and experienced in defining the quality of a razor.

If I may, I want to put a few posts in this thread about some razors that I found on the internet. I'll include things like name, manufacturer, price, size and a picture. Is there any other information I should post with it?

Cheers

I'm new here as well, but one thing I understand is we are not to discuss price.
all the other things you want to ask are good topics.

You can take that path if you want, in fact if you are wanting to check your research it's not a bad plan at all, and as mentioned prices are not discussed. There are a few member here from the Netherlands, and hopefully they show up on this thread as they probably have more valid input than many others, simply by knowing what it costs to ship and import fees etc.

Ralf Aust extremely well thought of. Not only high quality but well honed. If bought direct from his site can only chooswith or without jimps and engraving.

Thanks again Rezdog!

Good to know that prices aren't discussed here. Is it okay though to generally name something too expensive? Ralf Aust blades look freaking awesome, but it's a little over my budget... Unfortunately!

Anyway, one of the razors I'm currently looking at is this one. A Swedish steel Heljestrand MK31 from the fourties:



Original scales and everything. Full hollow grind, 5/8. Looks quite nice imo!

Another is the Schulze Weyer 945 blade with tortoise scales. Carbon steel 5/8 with full hollow grind:



Both razors are shave ready and are auctioned at the moment. Worth trying?

It is always difficult to judge from single photos, so please remember this is a general comment and not necessarily accurate for those particular razors...

However, that caveat notwithstanding, I would never hesitate over a Heljestrand in good condition. Those are great razors.

Another consideration is style. Do you prefer the look of a square point or a round point? Many advise against a square point when starting out as they can catch (and cut) you by surprise if you aren't paying attention. *But* if that's the style you like and want, then go for it.

That's good to remember but naming the brand and type of razor should be enough for most people to tell if it is a quality razor? Or at least a little bit in the right direction?

Personally, I'd love some olive oil scales with an engraved French point razor!

Cheers about the Heljestrand. I'll see if the auction ends up in my price range. Style-wise, it doesn't completely fit my needs, but it will surely do as a first

would highly recommend the classifieds on this site. On auction sites etc shave ready is often not true. However would trust site members when they say this.

Shave ready is the most important as your just starting and on auction sites that is not A garauntee. Buyer beware. But stay simple and have enough patience to learn whatever you pick out. Tc

Having started out in January, I jumped in and bought two SRs from a member here. I'd recommend this approach, as you'll be told exactly what you're getting and the condition it's in, and if they say it's shave ready it will be. Whatever you decide to go for, you will be given all the advice and help you could possibly need!