In the market for spending $800~ on an 11/8 custom. Who makes the best custom straights?
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In the market for spending $800~ on an 11/8 custom. Who makes the best custom straights?
that's like asking whos wife is prettier, you just have to look at their products and decide for yourself. most of the reputable ones will make you a class razor. just beware of all the new guys out there who haven't been doing it that long, they haven't made their bones yet to recommend. you may have to save a little more to get one of the top guys doing a full blown custom, or you may get what you want with something less Tc
Max Sprecher would be my recommendation.
His customs are stunning and he is a genuine person .
:)
Difficult question as everyone has their own opinions.
I have a few but there is many makers I admire and will eventually acquire.
Here at SRP we have Brunos Snail Forge, Silverloaf Customs, Max Sprecher and Viktors Bluesman Blades.
Uriks Kroaat Razors are absolutely beautiful, hes been showcasing them here for a while. Then we have Alis Blade, his razors are stunning and are next on my hit list.
Mastro Livi is a prominent maker, some of his can go way past the $1000 mark though. I really like my Riga Razor, simple but expertly made and great value too. I really admire Joe Edson too.
To be honest I think you'd be happy with any of the ones I mentioned. At the end of the day they wont shave any better than a cheap vintage but thats not the point.
I agree with Mark. Any he mentions will do a good job.
To add to what Mark listed, I'd also add HERR & Razors.
I own two of theirs and they are great shavers.
I read this post earlier this morning,but decided to keep my two cents out of it. Then, it was time for my morning shave and my Snail Forge razor came up for its turn to shave. Several months ago, Bruno had an 8/8 wootz blade for sale. I purchased it and had Bruno put mammoth ivory scales on it. It’s a beautiful razor. But even more remarkable is the shave it gives. In my unbiased opinion, it gives the best one pass shave of any razor I own. It’s not a 10/8 but the weight of the 8/8 and it’s balance gives me no reason to believe that that the 10/8 will not act likewise. I don’t know about his other metals, but wootz is top notch. The wootz may have issues in humid areas, but here in Tennessee, there is no problem.
As to Max Sprecher, I own several of them and always look for a Sprecher that is for sale. Like stated above, they are great razors. The ones I own are 8/8 and are beautifully made and shave extremely well.
The only 10/8 I own is a Riga Razor made in Lancet blade style with rams horn. It’s gorgeous and a great shaver. I’m partial to the Lancet style blades and the workmanship is excellent.
I have a Koraat, and a Brown razor. Both are under 8/8, so I don’t know about their larger razors. I can tell you that the ones I have are excellent.
The Livi’s Are beautiful razors as well, and I wouldn’t let some negative post about Maestro dissuade you from buying one if that is your leaning. Mine give top notch shaves.
I started with a Silverloaf cleaned and scaled Greaves razor. I still love to shave with it, but have never had a custom made by him. His work looks great!
Hope this helps a little. In the end, it will come down to your personal preference.
11/8 is a mighty big razor. I don't think I would like to handle one that large. It would look pretty at that size though.
Mike
I'd say go for someone experienced.
Check out the various clubs around the boards, and read up on seasoned users experience with the makers out there.
I have about 45 of them left, and I'd say that 30 of them shaves beautifully, 15 not so much.
I second Daves recommendation for Herr and razors. You could get a couple razors for the money you are talking.
Simply based on photos of the other makers mentioned I don't think you would go wrong there either. I have not used their blades but enjoy the pics of their work.
I personally don't have any of Herr's, but right now there are a couple of them on eBay - 32mm, slightly less than 11/8 - and it looks like you can save almost $500 off of your budget. They do look nice.
One member has an 8/8+ wootz steel razor from Snail Forge in the buy/sell/trade section.
For quality, craftsmanship and most important the shave I would put Snail Forge's wootz on top, second would be my Mastro Livi Damascus steel. If money is a issue, then I would say Snail Forge would be the top. Can't beat the price for a custom wootz razor.
Attachment 280617
This is my 26mm Herr razor. Killer edge from him. Fun to shave with.
Dude.......You have holes in your razor, man! :dropjaw:Quote:
Originally Posted by ejmolitor37
:D
Yup, that's me. What's just as, if not more, important than the maker is the steel and the heat treatment. Many regard iwasaki tamahagane to be the best of the best. Bruno wootz, in my opinion, is better than iwasaki tamahagane. Considering the going rate of Bruno wootz, mine in the bst is a bargain. I say this as a fellow member simply trying to point you in the right direction not as someone trying to sell you a razor. I could care less if it sells, because it is my all time favorite razor and if I could keep it for the rest of my life I would. I just haven't been active in the hobby for a while and life is requiring money and I am running low haha!Quote:
Originally Posted by JP5
And a couple nasty points to watch out for:)
My advise...They pay-up for them and realize this may not be for them.
After a bit, it wears-off. Good deals on customs all the time in the BST.
Do some research if you want to spend that much.
I have had more than a few through my hands...A few are going nowhere.
If we get a good one, it stays. Make sense?
Good ones are hard to come by.
Attachment 280630
I don't own a custom razor and likely never will. That said, I think you really have to know what you want as far as features go if you want one to shave with. OTH if it is just for display then that really does not matter.Quote:
Originally Posted by sharptonn
Bob
I have 3 Robert Williams customs, and they are nice.
Have you shaved with an 11/8? In my opinion, they are ridiculous. They aren't meant to shave with, but just to show everyone "hey, look at what I have". I made a 10/8 and shaved with it a while & ended up taking it down to a 8/8. That's the sweet spot, you can move them around and enjoy the ride...like a Mercedes or Cadillac.Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnnyK1988
Like mentioned above, do your research on razorsmiths. Big razors like that, there are really only a few who do quality razors of that size.
Is this just a fishing experiment?
I've actually steered people away from my razors a couple of times, when they were new to this hobby and hadn't even shaved yet. The chances of them accidentally ruining a lot of money is too big, and they might not even like shaving with a straight, in the end.Quote:
Originally Posted by sharptonn
No, it is not a fishing experiment... I want an obnoxiously large razor. Shoot me? I didn't start on a 5/8 like recommended I started on a 15/16. In doing so I find going down to smaller sizes only makes for more whittling work. Even if I don't shave with it In the long run, my choice of spending 800 or upwards of it for a conversation/center piece is just that. My choice. Simply asking for opinions on who is capable of creating one perhaps better than others within such a budget
Thanks.
I use and shave with a few custom razors from 7/8 8/8 and a 9/8+, I would say 8/8 to be a nice size blade once you are proficient in the use of a straight razor, and as far as custom makers go well there a quite a few out there, more than enough variety and choice to please even the most demanding individual.
Try Gransfors Bruks...
Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnnyK1988
That explains all well. I was a bit concerned that you may not have been going into this quest with your eyes wide open. That does happen at times but not in this case. Hope you find what you are looking for.
Bob
Great Scott,Quote:
Originally Posted by ScottGoodman
Just add another temptation for me.... All this talk of custom razors and now you wanna bring this in.... :rock:
I did it with mine just to challenge myself. Did it wtg on 3 different axes: Granfors Bruks, Wetterlings, and Husqvarna. All good hand made axesQuote:
Originally Posted by coachschaller
I think you took this the wrong way. People are asking to be helpful. If you just want a big razor as a show piece, there are loads of smiths out there capable of doing that work in your budget that will look cool and open and close fine for you.Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnnyK1988
However, if you're trying to find someone to do this work to create something that will give a great shave... that's entirely different. As noted before, there's really only a handful of people who can make a razor that large that would be a pleasure to shave with. At least one of which has already given his two cents here...
This may come as a surprise, but if you want something that large that's actually a great shaver, your budget may actually be a little short. But if you shop around and use the advice here you may get one or two good options. Good luck with the search and please do let us know if you decide to have one made! Regardless of who you choose, it will be an interesting and unique blade
It's like learning to drive. You don't start off with a high priced luxury car, a ford is good enough. Once you decide you like shaving with a straight, it really opens the flood gates. I thought I had experienced the best custom razor makers until I got Bruno's Wootz steel razor. I am in a position I can afford to buy these works of art. If I wasn't, I good get by very nicely with a Aust. The old saying "walk before you run" really applies here.
I shaved with a fiskars log splitter. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by ScottGoodman
Hone to 8K like a gigantic wedge. Just because.
All above are fantastic. Unless I missed it, no one has mentioned Brian Brown. I’ve owned a couple of his custom razors over the years and they are as good as anything I’ve seen.
I have two big blades that shave great and look great:Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnnyK1988
Silverloaf, he restores and also makes his own, look for one than he made. Most of the blades he makes are 8/8 or larger.
M. Martinez (Martinez Blades), makes fine 8/8 and larger razors. Mine is 17/16 and is a joy to shave with, go BIG.
I have a 17/16 Wade butcher I'm currently using and love it! Silverloaf touched base with me a day or so ago and said he has a few 11/8ths I think I'll try one of his ;) Stoked being that he specializes in sheffield wedge types, exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks!
I think you'll be happy with a Silverloaf, I have 2 of them and they are both great shavers
I own about 25 custom razors. My suggestion is to walk before you run. Start with a Ralf Aust which is an excellent, affordable razor when bought from a experience honer.
Whatever you decide to get, we want to see it!
Really like my Koraat razors. Great workmanship and pricing.
