Thread: The Holy Grail of Straight razors....

Sahara Gold Trade Mark High Class.

Originally Posted by albertaman

Ok guys...a question here....is there a rare or perhaps old razor considered to be the holy grail of straights? A make or model ?

I have spent days and days reading the forums and realize different strokes for different folks but wondered if there was a concensus of the rare and wonderful.

Well, for me it's definitely the ones that I inherited. But that's purely because of personal/emotional reasons.
The make of them are the 'Mandarin' model by Goedecke & Co. in Solingen made around 1898.

It's all just shaving in the end, it's all steel.
Anything quality wise is good, really, and there are plenty for everyone!

I like 'em sober, no fancy things, just good shavers; not sure why, I just do.

Chronik, maybe?

Originally Posted by JTmke

User by user I think... ...7 day set in ivory maybe?

You got me grailing, now.

It took a long time to get a routinely bloodless shave with a square point razor. Today another perfect one using a large, cheap-but-quality long-ago ebay find; a touristy-looking Schaefer Rapid Shaver (a large "Solingen" inlaid on one scale, "Souvenir of Berlin" and a bear etched on the blade and "Sunday" engraved in the spine). I now believe I'd like Monday-Saturday now, thanks very much.

As others have said, the holy grail is the one that fits your mug, grip, skin, hair type, wallet etc.
And is made by Wade and Butcher, err Greaves, I mean Rodgers and sons, or was it Boker,,,,

But if my wife and I do decide to go to Italy next year, like Phoenix said it'll be a Maestro Livi if only for the pure pleasure of watching it being born..I will enjoy holding it while I wait for a stand by flight home since I will be selling one of my tickets to pay for the razor.

I have or have had most of the razors on my must have list. I think there is little left for me in terms of must have acquisitions until I see one. I would hunt for the W&B Ottoman, but I have never seen one for sale. I think maybe a custom in similar style would be easier to obtain. For me at this point I am more interested in traveling around and getting to some of the meets, or spending one on one time with some of the skilled craftsman here to learn and make stuff. I think it would be incredible to have some participation on a razor build with Charlie, or a brush build. See other peoples work shops and do some stuff. The thread on the meet at Charlies place made me think "I want to go places and get my hands dirty!".

A seven day set of MK32's, in Ivory of course!

My current Grail quest is a 7 day set of Mappin Webbs as my name is Webb. If any one has a lead PM me!

I have been fortunate to have stumbled across a few razors that had I known to search for them they would have been grail razors.

I have two W&B Barbers only, and a Henckels Barbers Use, NOS Boker Finest India Steel, a Puma / Dubl Duck. These are pretty hard to come by. Two that have come to find are such great shavers they would be Grail worthy are my King Razor "Double Temper" and A. Feist Luna "Panter" - Kayser Ellison Highest Class Sheffield Steel. They hold a wicked edge for a long time and give fantastic shaves.

Good luck finding yours.

Originally Posted by FranfC

A seven day set of MK32's, in Ivory of course!

31's good enough for you?
C V Heljestrand MK No 31 Straight Razor 7 Day Set Never Used Very RARE | eBay

Minty/NOS Lecoultre frame back with all of the blades, screwdriver and box anyone? Just for the cool factor alone.