Thread: Vintage Straight Rozor versus Gold Dollar Shave ready

I don't have a Gold Dollar but do have an older Double Arrow, it can be made to shave well and I use it once in awhile but the edge doesn't seem to hold up like a vintage razor. When you get your shaving up to speed as well as your stropping you won't be sorry if you buy a nice vintage razor from here (classifieds) or a reputable dealer

You are getting good advice. If you are new, you can get a shave ready vintage razor in the classifieds. Also, Whipped Dog has inexpensive vintage shave ready straight razors. Not beautiful, but they shave. I've had good experiences both with razors from the classifieds and Whipped Dog.

Gold Dollars can be made to shave OK but I'd take a nice vintage straight over one every time.

Any one can learn from their mistakes. You are steps ahead if you can learn from other peoples mistakes.
My mistakes? A couple straights I could do without because they really aren't worth restoring.
I haven't purchased a new modern straight razor, kind of out of my price range. I have spent near two hundred bucks over several months buying vintage razors. Now that I've calmed down and look at the unit before I rashly purchase I've got some nice ones. Just got a Clauss for $10. Paid twenty for a Morley, my aunt gave me a Wade & Butcher. Couple D.E. razors for dirt cheap - a 1959 Gillette FatBoy.
My point is that if you get a razor that IS shave ready your foot's in the door. Next thing you know you need storage space for soaps, cremes, aftershaves, brushes. And multiple razors. If you are enjoying your straight, start reading up about how to use your strop. And open your mind to honing. At some point you'll have a Not Shave Ready that you will want to attempt sharpening.
My first shave ready was a WhippedDog. It's not pretty, but for a hundred year old tool it still works well.

Thanks everyone for the comments. I have the Gold dollar already and through ignorance, I am sure, it has lost its razor sharp edge. My plan, if its worth it, is to go ahead and get the Ralf Aust Solingen 5/8ths black for just over $100 and send in the gold dollar for re-honing to put up for spare. The Gold Dollar came in a kit, which included a blunt, dull practice razor along with the cheap, worthless synthetic strop. I have ordered a new 3" leather strop from here and when I receive it I will practice my technique of stropping with the dull gold dollar.

Will it be worth the cost and time to send in the Gold dollar for re-honing or should I scrap it and look at getting a second good razor from here to keep as spare?

Thanks again!

Much of the chatter in forums is comparing razors, or other gear. If you own two straights, and both are really shave ready, you can have an informed opinion. I've heard GD's vary in quality, but can be honed into shape, mostly. The gear sold by members has a better chance of being acceptable quality, because of Peer Review.
Good luck with your new to you razor!

Use whatever makes you happy and what you can afford.

Truth is that properly honed a GD or a vintage is capable of giving you a great shaving edge. I have both as well as expensive modern and pristine restored 170 YO razors and each gives me satisfaction to use.