Thread: Best Straight Razor in the $250 price bracket?

Originally Posted by barberann

My cousin has a Thiers-Issard 5/8″ straight for home but he said it cost him a fair bit. Its going to last but there's cheaper ones I could buy. He said a Dovo is good for beginners and gives a nice close shave, won't cost an arm and a leg either for the classic one but they do pricier ones for more advanced users. He can get razors honed professionally for me so that solves that issue.

One thing you must remember for the most part...............a company like Dovo; Boker; Ralf Aust; Thiers; and others their steel used on a cheaper priced razor is no different than a several hundred dollar razor. What you end up paying for is exotic scale material; engravings; sculpted spines; gold wash; and other such things. I think this to be the biggest misconception of any new person to a str8 that really needs to be addressed.

That is why I pointed you to a Ralf Aust basic scale $103 razor. You will be hard pressed to find another better in that price point. I saw you decided on a Brown custom......I hear he makes nice razors and you should be fine. But if you dislike str8 shaving you may be out some money because all his razors are $200+. Twice that of a RA. Just food for thought they say. Good Luck.

For me the deciding factor found among razor models, either puts them into the decent shaver category or razor kissed by the gods, is the care taken in the grinding, accuracy free of warping and other geometric flaws. Steel being equal a razor in a perfect geometric state will be a joy to shave or hone and not be a pain in the you know what. That's what we pay for the rest is just decor.

I would mirror Stefan's call If I had that budget I would go for a NOS Japanese razor.

I have to mirror both Stefan's and Jamie's recommendations on an NOS Japanese straight. They are outstanding shavers.

I have 2 Ralf Aust razors; both are quite nice, shave well and are properly crafted.

I now own a Brian Brown razor, it cost about $100 more than either of my Austs, just got it.

Put all three alongside each other....




Not unlike a BMW 7 Series parked in between a couple VW Jettas.

Get bored with the program or decide the str8 world is not for you? I doubt you will have a hard time selling a Brown razor significantly quicker than you would an Aust.

And...there is that abstract warm and fuzzy feeling knowing YOU worked with the maker and had a real deal role in creating your new razor. Can't put a price on that....

OK, i'll take the advice, got a bit carried away for a second. I'll check out the couple of suggestions on NOS Japanese & Ralf Aust.

Originally Posted by barberann

I'm looking for a straight razor now I'm well and truly rid of the forest I use to carry around with me on my chin. I'm bored of my Gillette fusion pro-glide and am after something a little more manly. I've spent plenty of money on beard trimmers in the past so figured I'd splash a bit on a straight razor now I'm entering a different stage of my life. Any sign of a beard forming now and I'm disgusted by its scruffiness, can't believe I used to let myself get so feral. I must be getting old man, I'm saying the same things about beards that my dad and granddad have been saying to me for years "Is that a dead rat on your face?". So anyway, I'm after some suggestions on a straight blade that's in and around the $250 mark. I've heard of Hart Steel blades and they have a strong reputation but was wondering what else is on the market? Thanks

You can find a good Thiers-Issard for that much over at The Invisble Edge UK for $150 and a quarter grind. You can also buy a could paddle strop form them as well for $50 to $75.

Less than 200, Portland razor co. Fine hand crafted blades. Many to choose from. I like the srd stops
One can order replacement leather, for when you nick your strop. It's going to happen.