Thread: Vintage vs. modern vs. custom

Which razor do you enjoy shaving with more, a vintage, modern, or custom, and why?

I don't own a custom and only one modern SR. The other 30+ are vintage so I will say I enjoy using a vintage SR more at this time. I like to put old things with a bit of history to them back into service. Other than that I imagine they all will shave just as well if the edges are equally sharp.

Bob

1. vintage: good quality steel , most have good grind gobs. Massive variety of grinds, sizes embellishments.
2. Custom: I have tried a few customs, some were pretty decent some were not good at all. Depends on the maker you can get some really good pieces.
3. Current production: IMO due to demand requiring high volume production and possibly not highly qualified personnel there are QC issues. Of the new production brands, I like Ralf Aust the best, consistent grind and ease of honing.

Originally Posted by BobH

I don't own a custom and only one modern SR. The other 30+ are vintage so I will say I enjoy using a vintage SR more at this time. I like to put old things with a bit of history to them back into service. Other than that I imagine they all will shave just as well if the edges are equally sharp.

Same here.
Modern SRs are nice but I for some reason seem to prefer vintage

Currently I have many vintage razors, 2 new production TI dreadnought razors, and a custom bruno razor. I wouldn't say that I like any more than the other. Once a certain level of quality is met, they all do what they were designed to do. I will say my custom takes a very, very nice edge and it has had the most use recently. I do have an iwasaki western tamahagane on the way, and that might change things up a lot!

I like Vintage as well, but i recently went with a Custom Mastro Livi. I am not trying to impress anyone,or brag, but this is a great piece of workmanship and gives a super shave.

I have used a number of vintage razors and suffice to say that they were all good shavers. I have used 2 customs and liked one far more than the other.
I think vintage (assuming it isn't a dog) will be a safe bet whereas customs are going to be as good as the maker.
My current stable contains 2 vintage and one custom. If I had to pick one as a daily shaver I would lean to the vintage razors as the custom is not as easy to use.
From an enjoyment point of view I would probably pick my custom due to the fact that it fulfills my aesthetic needs.

I love the vintage. From 100 the 200 years old.

I like vintage, if in very fine condition. They are not always very old. Most of my Friodurs date from the mid 20th century. There are lots of them around, just be patient and selective. The cost of restoration of a well worn razor may equal or exceed the added cost of a little used razor.

I have never tried custom.

I have sold all my moderns, so cant include those...

But I have a couple of customs and lots of vintage.

I get into moods, though, where I like shaving with my customs... then I will flip back to vintage for a while (usually longer then the customs)... then back to the customs again. Especially my Nate Zowada.

But right now, I am in a vintage phase... I am bouncing between a pre 1880 W&B shorty and a Filarmonica #14 shorty.

Why? Who knows. I'm an Aquarian... That is my story, and I am stickin' too it.