Thread: First straight razor, Ralf Aust or Revisor

I am about to purchase my first straight razor. I have done my research. Since it is my first one, it has to be new and I will have it professionally honed. Out of many razors I have narrowed it down to two, but I am having a hard time to decide which one to get.
It is either going to be Revisor 6-0035 or Ralf Aust Snakewood French Point Worked Spine. I like the look of both and don't mind the higher price of Ralf Aust. So it is down to quality. Which one would you get?
For the strop, most likely I'll get Premium IV English Bridle strop from Straight Razor Designs; or 30 Degree Black Latigo Leather strop. I don't believe in getting a crappy strop because I am a beginner and might ruin it. Is there a better one out there for less than $100?
Last but not least, for honing I prefer natural stone. What kind should I get? I am leaning towards Belgian yellow Coticule. Though the new Escher sold by Timber Tools looks like a good stone too. Thanks.

Welcome to the forum. I do not own both razors you are interested in but I have a Revisor. The Revisor I like very much and dealing with Revisor was a pleasant experience. Both he razors you are interested in have a rep for being quality, which through research you already likely know, so i'd say pick the one that you like the looks of best.

My first strop was a 3 inch bridle leather one and worked fine. I don't know if you will ruin it learning how to strop but my money is on you learning how to repair small nicks and cuts. I did from the advice on here and the strop is still serviceable although I now use a different strop.

I do not know if you have any experience honing straight razors but if you do not then it might be better to learn to strop and shave properly first before attempting to learn how to hone a straight razor. If you have experience honing straight razors I can't advise you on naturals as I use synthetic Naniwas mostly.

Bob

A couple of points. I have both a revisor and a ralf aust. They are both very nice looking razors, they both shave well. Here is a big one for you, only my Ralf Aust came truly shave ready. My Revisor was said to be shave ready, but clearly was not. Another bonus for new people to shaving is that SRD includes a free re-hone. New people tend to not get much time on a fresh edge before it needs help.
The strop you are looking at is a fine choice.
As far as a natural hone goes I think it is too soon for a hone. When the time comes, be sure to read the reviews and you will see that there is a lot of people that do not believe that the MST Mueller hone is a finish hone. There are a ton of threads about every natural going and your choices are much broader than those two.
I hope your shave journey is full of satisfaction in a job well done and a ton of incredible close, comfortable, and smooth shaves.

Thanks. I will most likely get the Ralf Aust. And I am not going to worry about the hone for now. As you said it is too early. But since you have both, which one keeps its edge sharp longer? And which one is easier to hone? As for the strop I initially wanted to get the English Bridle from STD but now I am thinking of getting the ROO one instead. Do you have any experience with the ROO?

Roo strops tend to be very thin. As a beginner one false move on a thin stop might prove fatal.

I have no idea on the roo strop. There is no grand difference between the two razors. They are both good quality brands. My recommendation was based solely on the reputation and my experience with the vendors. The razors are equal.

If it's your first, don't go with the 7-0001 by Revisor. I have that one and I can tell you that the spike in it is deadly. Other than that note of precaution, I can recommend Revisor. I have three and they are all outstanding razors. Honing them is where you can see their quality. They all take exceptionally polished and smooth shaving edges. But I can't compare the two brands as I don't have an RA. Someday I'll have to get one to compare them.

Boy did this post have ymmv and ADs kicking into my head...

Originally Posted by OCDshaver

If it's your first, don't go with the 7-0001 by Revisor. I have that one and I can tell you that the spike in it is deadly. Other than that note of precaution, I can recommend Revisor. I have three and they are all outstanding razors. Honing them is where you can see their quality. They all take exceptionally polished and smooth shaving edges. But I can't compare the two brands as I don't have an RA. Someday I'll have to get one to compare them.

Coming from the RA side of the discussion Love mine .. well balanced and the round point is Verrrry forgiving to a newby. Revisor is next on my list of intended to by razors so when I get that we can compare notes

For your first strop I'd go Black Latigo. Heavy draw and much cheaper. You're going to put some nicks in it for sure. Hold off on the nicer quality strops until after you get some practice. It's when you start getting comfortable with your stropping that you get the most nicks when you try speeding up your motion.