Thread: Best of the Best, Vintage and New

If you're new at this I suggest that you get your technique down first with a 5/8 then branch out as to different brands and sizes. That technique is not only shaving but stropping. Once you are confident with that then experiment with size and brand. I have a hodge podge of razors in all sizes......new, vintage, heirloom, NOS, custom, restored. So my current favorites are---->
New--Boker 6/8.
Vintage--Geo. Wostenholm IXL Celebrated 7/8.
Heirloom--My Grandfather's Lakeside cutlery 6/8.
NOS--Jacob Wiss 5/8.
Custom--Koraat 8/8.
Restored--Isaac Diller 13/16 restored by Outback Mike.
I'm sure this list will change when the next razor comes my way.

If I do my part with stropping and shaving I get a comfortable, long lasting, 4 pass bbs that keeps the old widow women and divorcees happy. Welcome to the rabbit hole. It's deep and there is no light at the end of the tunnel. Look sharp and smell nice for the ladies.

Really great advice so far.
I would just add that you can buy a nice vintage razor for a fraction of what they costed three years ago so you should definitely give one a try. Another member recently posted a W&B he bought on eBay for $20 that was in excellent condition.

Originally Posted by Benz

Welcome to the rabbit hole. It's deep and there is no light at the end of the tunnel.

If you see a light, you were probably shaving the wrong direction.

Any razor of quality steel. If honed right will shave as good as the next. It boils down to beard/ skin prep, and your shaving techniques.

For grind and size, that becomes a personal thing.
I myself don't care for wedges, the extra width of the bevel, causes them to stick to my face. Not that I don't get a comfortable shave from them, I just don't care to use a lot of force to move a razor across my face.
Like Benz, and many others here, I have a large collection of different makes and grinds, new to vintage. So far vintage is my favorite, over new production. They can be obtained on the cheap, if you can restore and hone, yourself.

I personally like the smiling blades more than the straight ones, but will shave with any of them just the same.
30+ years with straights makes a big difference, too.

When I was fairly new, I went on a buying spree that lasted for over a year. During that time I shaved with many many razors. There are a lot of good razors out there. If you can figure out your favourite size and grind, that helps. The barber supply brands are often top shelf and sell for very little money. However they are almost all 5/8 or 6/8 full hollow. If you seek large or heavy ground razorsthey will usually come at a premium.

Thanks to all for the replies. I have a 6/8 Dovo (Col. Conk) that seams to work nicely, but seeing as I'm new, I really have no idea what I'm doing. Learning to shave with, and care for a straight razor is a little different than most things. Its a lost art, for the most part, and regardless of how much you read or watch, it seems to be trial and error. You're on your own unless you know someone. It would be a little different if someone I knew shaved with one and lived close by. Its much easier with someone there in person walking you through it, and pointing things out. However, growing up poor and lazy, trial and error is my cup of tea.

The guys have given good information here, but in my opinion only skirted your original question. As one said, there aren't many modern, current producers. Here's my list of new producers: Dovo, Boker, Thiers Issard, Wacker, Revisor. I likely missed some. Among the modern producers are the artisans like Mastro Livi, Korrat, Riga Razors. Others I don't their names. Not mass produced, but by order, by the piece. Don't forget the New-Old-Stock (NOS) razors. These are vintage razors made years ago, but are still new, never been used, still in the box. They are numerous. Next are the used vintage razors. Some are beautifully restored, some not so much. Numerous brands, steels, countries of origin. Many members here focus extensively on vintage razors. Most of mine are new or NOS, but I'm starting to branch out into the vintage realm.

As to size, point style, etc. There is no right or wrong, better or best. Everything is personal preference. Though some might argue other wise. Whatever direction you head, give much diligence to learning, learn to use your tools properly.

BTW, put your city, st in your profile. That will help us help you. As a truck driver I'm through Little Rock often I've stopped before to coach others. Join my list.

Edit: I knew I'd forget some. Ralf Aust, Portland Razor Company. I don't know if PRC is mass producing or order by the piece. Hart Razors.

Originally Posted by Longhaultanker

As a truck driver I'm through Little Rock often I've stopped before to coach others. Join my list.

Thank you for the info. Its a bit off topic, but I've always wanted to ask a trucker this. How does I-30 stack up with interstates around the country as far as amount of you truckers? By that I mean, the amount on the road at any given time. I've used I-30 far more than any other interstate, and it has always seemed to have a hell of a lot of trucks on it at all times. I've always been curious if we just have a heavy amount of truck traffic, or if it was normal, or actually light.

Interstate 30 from Little Rock to Texarkana is the only major route serving routes west/east, or north / south from Houston. Saint Louis to Dallas, right through I-30. Its a major truck route. Lots of trucks. Only I-40 east of Little Rock worse.

I know where Prescott, AR is. Loves truck stop. Easy access. I'd be happy to stop. Currently awaiting deliver Wednesday in Toronto, but should be through Prescott Friday/ Saturday later this week.

I should have added: Memphis is a major freight hub. I-55, I-40 intersect there. From there all points n, s, e, w.

Originally Posted by Dieseld

There are few if any really good new razors out there by mass producers.

Not sure if Ralf Aust or Wacker would be regarded as "mass producers", but have only heard good things about them.

Amongst my new production razors I have 3 Thiers Issard, 3 Wacker, 2 Dovo, 1 Ralf Aust. They all hone and shave just fine.