Thread: How has your collection grown?

I currently have 4 straight razors and 2 shavettes. I started with a Parker shavette thinking it would be a cheap, simple way to try out straight razor shaving (pro tip--it's not). There's no weight, the corners of the DE blade are exposed, and overall it wasn't pleasant. However, it was enough to convince me to try a real straight. My first real straight razor is a TI Art of Shaving 5/8 model with rams horn scales I got for a steal at only $100 from a friend of mine who owns a knife store and took it in on trade. However, it's never been really comfortable--even after getting a professional honing (which I've done twice) it still feels tuggy, especially on my neck. I blamed my technique, my stropping, etc. because I know TI makes good razors--but after a few years, I still struggle with that one.

Thinking stropping must be my problem and that I was never going to learn it, I decided to get a Feather Artist as a nicer shavette. It's amazing--the blades are so stinking sharp that I can't even tell I'm cutting hairs. It even goes ATG without any issues. The Feather is truly enjoyable (second pro-tip; if you just want a shavette, get the Feather for $70 because it's 1000% better than the $15 Parker). The Feather does require constant vigilance--a couple of weeks ago I was using it before work and I think I gave myself a permanent scar on my cheek as I was rushing. Scary thing is, I thought I'd avoided a cut but it finally started bleeding about 5 minutes later and that's when I realized it was a doozie.

Next I wanted a brand new straight (my TI does have uneven bevels, so I thought maybe that's my problem with it?). I looked around and decided I wanted an American hand made razor. I wanted a Brian Brown, but he had closed his waiting list at the time because he had too many back orders, so I went with a Portland Razor Company 6/8 razor with a Spanish tip. I also bought one of their 3" strops and am so happy I did. The PRC is by far my favorite straight--it glides almost as effortlessly as the Feather, but is so much more forgiving. I don't use it every day because I like to go to the gym before work and don't always have time for a proper straight shave. But I've had that razor for four years, have only ever used the strop, and it's still holds a fantastic edge. I also have a balsa strop I haven't needed to use, yet, and a 12k stone for when the edge is ready to be refreshed. I've heard some mixed reviews on PRC, so maybe the quality isn't always consistent (and the price has almost doubled since I bought mine)--but it's an awesome razor that I highly recommend.

After that I got a no-name vintage 4/8 on the BST here--it shaves fine but I don't love the size. Last Christmas I got a 4/8 Le Grelot my FIL found at an antique store. I had it honed and it's a really good shaver, but again the size isn't my favorite.

So what's next? I'd kind of like a Ralf Aust--I hear so much good about those. I also see some of the custom razors and drool over how amazing they look but the price points tend to be higher than I can go. Maybe someday... Any recommendations from all of you?

Personally I like the vintage heavy near wedges and wedges. Wade & Butcher, George Wostenholm, Gilchrist, Manhattan Cutlery.

Well... My humble opinion here, but TI is TI.

I've restored and honed quite a few razors, I have sold maybe half a dozen TI blades and the recipient were always extremely happy with the result. And I am never with these blades.
With my skin and hair, they feel like shaving with cardboard.
So, well, maybe if you ever have another TI going your way for cheap, try again, but my advice would be, if it does not work for you, leave it for others, as I do.

I've been using a DE razor for years before I started using a SR. Feather were indubitably my favorite blades, yet, as you say, they were quite unforgiving.
Taking into account you loved them, maybe try a Japanese frameback razor ? In my experience it's the closest sensation I've ever had.

I've started as an old and peculiar things lover.
My first blade was sold to me by one Thaeris in his early days. An old Mericant, Paris, razor.
Then I quickly added a double bladed papillon razor that I found on an antiques market.

I tried then a Fontanile Hollow Ground, again from Thaeris. And quickly went back to my oldies.

The first pair of razors I bought on a hunch before leaving Paris (just as I was giving back the keys of the flat) has been a hell of a hunch and is still today among the greatest razors I've ever tried : a pair of Haute Marne 7/8 late 19th century razors sold by luxury silversmith and accessories maker Gustave Keller.
From then on, I've been adding very peculiar razors to my collection, both vintage and new.

Good luck on your way to find what suits you best.
Don't hesitate to try a lot of cheaper blades sold by the gentlemen of the forum before having your final opinion, because with USA, France, England, Germany, Sweden, Japan etc, the world of razor blades is vast and full of variety

Estate or New is your choice.

As for new, Aust and Wacker both make great blades. I have two of each.

Custom is another option but you are talking more expense.

Keep an eye on BST for estate blades

I've got 2 new razors, and like 198 vintage, tried a few customs, and prefer the vintage. Good with all widths, but prefer 7/8, and from the late 1700s - mid 1800s.

There are a few hidden brands that not that many people know about. They are the barber supply company razors, like C-Mon and S.R. Droescher(SRD). The were resellers with blades marked for them. I collected them for a while, and if you are looking for inexpensive full hollow razors that shave extremely well, you can chase those ones. It is no secret that I love the old Henckels razors and have a fair stash of them.

For that matter, better have a taste of Sweden with a Hellberg rather than Heljestrand (CVH), same forge, same quality

I don't have any super special razors.

My first razor and my introduction to straight shaving was brand new and it was a Dovo Astrale, 5/8 full hollow round point. I managed to cut myself quite nicely with it when I first started.

Outback sent me 3 razors out of the goodness of his heart. Two smilers and a square point that he muted for me.

That gave me four razors which should have kept me going but no, it just jump started my RAD.

I bought 2 from Bouschie, a Square point Griffon and a tiny little square point that I don't use cause it's just too small.

I bought a Barbers delight from Magpie.

I bought a Croghan Cutlery square point from a guy I trust on eBay (have a look - mslater777).

DZEC kindly sent me a barbers hone for no charge which is very generous if him.

I decided to get a 12k Naniwana and 1k 4k/8k Nortons.

PaulFLUS was very generous and sent 4 razors that he had set the bevel on and left me to finish off.

So basically in about a month of shaving I have 12 razors, a barbers hone, a 12k Naniwa and a Norton progression.

I think I have a problem, but at least my mental problems (Rad) will stay sharp for free now.

Steve

Started with a poorly sharpened Torrey, it was sharpened by the local knife sharpener. I didnt know that he knew nothing until he told me that he finished the blade on an 800 grit stone.
Then my wife bought me a TI that shaved nicely, and I still use it.
Fast forward to today, where I have about 70 blades, and my favorites are wedges or near wedges from Sheffield. I still dont hone my own blades, but one of the members on this site does a heck of a great job with that.
About 20 German blades, and 20 American blades are unused and unhoned, as my rotation in 5 Sheffield and one TI.

Had to learn to hone by myself so kept buying vintage straight razors that needed bevel sets on up to the finisher. Eventually got the hang of it and a large collection of straights as a result of that.

I'd say get that problem TI honed properly as there is no reason it should not shave well. TI has had a reputation for hit and miss factory edges. I have one bought new TI and the first thing I did after looking at the edge with a loupe was hone it. Now it shaves as well as anything else I have.

Other than that pick a grind and size that interests you for your next razor. As far as where it is made is concerned, I have had excellent shaves from Swedish, German, English, French, Spanish, Russian, American and Japanese produced razors that have been properly honed.

Have fun deciding

Bob