Shopping for Vintage SRs

I'm a new member looking to learn the art of SR shaving on a budget. To this end, while I have been keeping an eye on the classifieds and doing a little research on new straight razors, I've begun looking at the local antique stores for vintage straight razors. Due to the education I've been gaining around here I think I have a decent idea of what problems to avoid but I still feel some apprehension at purchasing a vintage razor when I haven't even attempted an SR shave as of yet.

One trend I've seen among many members here is a price limit in the $30 dollar range for vintage SRs and I am assuming that this is likely for razors that cannot be considered shave ready (a claim I probably wouldn't trust anyway without knowing that the seller knows quite a bit about SRs) but do not require any real restoration work outside a visit to a honemeister. To this point the only SRs I've seen in my area have been in the $60-$80 range and do not include any manufacturers that a majority of members would consider collectable.

Are there any tips any of the membership would care to pass along? I am fairly confident of avoiding blades with severe defects like a chipping, pitting, cell rot, etc. but am more concerned with paying too much for a relatively inferior razor that is going to be a poor choice to learn with. At $80+ I am, at this point in my education, hesitant to spend the money on a vintage blade simply because once I pay for a honing I can pay a bit more at SRD and purchase a Dovo or Aust blade which is of known quality.

Here are two excellent guides to get you started:

Straight Razor Magazine: Buying shaving equipment

Straight Razor Magazine: The Straight Razor Magazine's eBay Purchasing Primer


If your maximum budget is around 100$ and you prefer a new razor, then a 5/8 Ralf Aust from SRD is your best bet in the United States. I would avoid an entry-level dovo.

Most razors I have seen in antique shops are often overpriced junk. Unless you have a keen eye for quality pieces, I would avoid buying your first razor from such shops.

If you fancy a vintage razor that is shave-ready at a budget price, keep your eyes on the classified section, anything below 80$ usually disappears quickly.

Good luck

Welcome to the forum GreenRipper. I would try something from our classifieds that is shave ready. I think that may be your best opportunity at this point in your wet shaving venture. As you have learned you are not likely to find anything in the $30 range. Or, if you can swing it, an Aust from SRD will not only come shave ready it will have a coupon for another honing free.

You could always try making an offer on the blades you already found, you never know they may just take the offer. Also if you're already planning on sending the razor out to a honemeister than very small chips will be ok they can fix those in the process of honing.

You can always put in the amount you'd like to spend an find a decent one on eBay an then send it out as there are good deals to be had there (at times). There's currently a pair of bokers on there that I know of that need little work an are decently priced I mention these because one thing you're gonna want is a second razor in case you mess up the first.

If your worried about not knowing if you'll like shaving with one you could always get a shavette an try that out while trying to find a decent blade then if you don't like it you haven't spent much.

There are several W.H. Morley & Son razors that are up there for around $35.00 or less, I have a eye on a couple of them myself. There is also a nice WM. Elliot & Co. #135 for a Buy it Now for $50.00. A PM has been sent.

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Originally Posted by Badgister

Here are two excellent guides to get you started:

Straight Razor Magazine: Buying shaving equipment

Straight Razor Magazine: The Straight Razor Magazine's eBay Purchasing Primer


If your maximum budget is around 100$ and you prefer a new razor, then a 5/8 Ralf Aust from SRD is your best bet in the United States. I would avoid an entry-level dovo.

Most razors I have seen in antique shops are often overpriced junk. Unless you have a keen eye for quality pieces, I would avoid buying your first razor from such shops.

If you fancy a vintage razor that is shave-ready at a budget price, keep your eyes on the classified section, anything below 80$ usually disappears quickly.

Good luck

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I have read those two articles already but I'm always happy to see a good link in a response and thus I tip my hat to you and offer a hearty "Thanks!"

The prices and my own lack of knowledge have kept me from pulling the trigger on any of my antique store finds and the searching has been opportunistic at best so I don't feel any real loss for my very low effort. I have been researching new SRs and the complaints regarding Dovo have been noted. At this point if I go the new SR route I will probably wait a bit, save a bit and spend a little more on an Aust that is a little higher up the price scale than basement model offered by SRD.

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Originally Posted by lz6

Welcome to the forum GreenRipper. I would try something from our classifieds that is shave ready. I think that may be your best opportunity at this point in your wet shaving venture. As you have learned you are not likely to find anything in the $30 range. Or, if you can swing it, an Aust from SRD will not only come shave ready it will have a coupon for another honing free.

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I have been keeping an eye on the classifieds for a few weeks now and in that short time noticed how quickly lower priced razors tend to move. The $30 mark was merely a limit I had noticed some of the more experienced members of SRP tend to use and doesn't really reflect a hard ceiling on my own search. My primary issue is trying to figure out what I should expect to pay for a decent quality, vintage straight. As the prices climb the opportunity cost of the vintage razors simply become too high once you factor in the need for a professional honing compared to the truly shave ready new razor from SRD and the certificate for a refresh of the blade as I learn to shave with it.

In the end I have a real interest in learning about vintage blades as I would eventually like to try my hand at a restoration. I have done some work on knives and while I like the work I simply don't need dozens of sheath knives lying around as I gave up hunting years ago (I prefer calling for clay birds to chasing real ones) and tend to carry a rather utilitarian Buck for daily tasks. SRs on the other hand are tools that I am interested in using and even without having purchased a single straight I suspect I'm a future sufferer of RAD.

Keep in mind GreenRipper, we have a trade section also in the classified section. If you have an item of value that you would part with for a good razor, then list it in the trade section.

****BTW***** Just don't list any firearms in the classified section for trade,, knives are O.K. though. ******

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Originally Posted by Hirlau

Keep in mind GreenRipper, we have a trade section also in the classified section. If you have an item of value that you would part with for a good razor, then list it in the trade section.

****BTW***** Just don't list any firearms in the classified section for trade,, knives are O.K. though. ******

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That is very tempting.

Sure,,, we have other likes here, not just razors.

I got a lot of razors and looking for something 5'9" around 145 pounds. That would fit on a magazine cover :<0)

Keep hunting and saving. You may run across something that you know will work for you with a pro hone. Always add 30 bucks for a pro hone with shipping. So if you start @ 30 your already looking at 60. Now the next thing is condition. If your willing to do the restoring yourself you save bucks but pay in cuts supplies and time. If your headed that way might as will get started.
Buying in antique stores is hit and miss. You might run across the deal of the century or you may look for ever. Always offer less at stores and mention the honing cost and restoring time and money. Some price by what they see on e-Bay with little knowledge of actual worth. Knowing what to look for is the key and you have the advantage of holding it in your hand rather than looking at pic on the Bay. Which is an art all it's own, as competitive as it has become there. There are deals out there you just have to be in the right place at the right time. The simple way is as mentioned above. Buy without the hassles from reputable person. If you find you don't like it , you won't be out that much reselling. I think there was 1 guy that sold out and didn't like it :<0)

I have been keeping an eye on the classified section here and got a nice boker for $65. Most of the razors there are shave ready. The one I got was truly shave ready too. If you are weary of a sellers honing skills check the section for services. A lot of the sellers also offer honing services here and would trust that they know what they are doing. If you want new I would save and get something from srd as they include free honing. Or even place an ad in the wanted section and list your budget. Also check the sellers feedback. Pretty much all of them have excellent feedback and you can also click on detailed feedback to see that they are really shave ready

The classified on here is excellent & you can also get an excellent deal on a Ralf Aust at SRD. Lynn hones each one before it goes to it's new owner so you can't lose plus you get a certificate for a free honing. I would like to get a Ralf Aust one of these days. They are beautiful razors & from what I hear they are of excellent quality.