Thread: Advice on next straight razor

Question, peeps.

Wifey OK'd me for another straight razor.

I currently have a nice Austrian one (Koraat), a nice UK one (Wade & Butcher), nice German ones (Ralf Aust, and a WH Morley), and a few American-made ones.

I'm considering a THIERS ISSARD razor (French), or more likely, a REVISOR. (Another German razor).

From all the "hit or miss" reviews I've read on the newer TI's, I'm leaning more towards the Revisor.

By the way, its gotta be 7/8" inch or wider, and a square point with black scales.

I'd even consider a Wacker.

$300-$320 would be my limit.

Any links would be awesome!!

Thanks.

Originally Posted by RaymondMillbrae

Question, peeps.

Wifey OK'd me for another straight razor.

I currently have a nice Austrian one (Koraat), a nice UK one (Wade & Butcher), nice German ones (Ralf Aust, and a WH Morley), and a few American-made ones.

I'm considering a THIERS ISSARD razor (French), or more likely, a REVISOR. (Another German razor).

From all the "hit or miss" reviews I've read on the newer TI's, I'm leaning more towards the Revisor.

By the way, its gotta be 7/8" inch or wider, and a square point with black scales.

I'd even consider a Wacker.

$300-$320 would be my limit.

Any links would be awesome!!

Thanks.

My instincts would tell me Aust (the largest family in my stable), but as you have one already you may want something different.
I am neither attracted to Revisor nor current Thiers-Issard products.
One has shoddy customer service while the other seems to be lacking in (current production) quality control.

My second largest family are J.A. Henckels Friodur razors. These are, like old production Thiers-Issard and Le Grelot, excellent razors, but Friodur razors sadly have been out of production for years, so you would have to go the pre-owned path.


Size is a bit of a problem too, as you specify ⅞ or larger.
After years of straight shaving, I have re-discovered my own sweet spot in the ⅝ to 6/8 range just like many other long-time straight shavers.

For a German razor, I would take a look at Wacker or Böker, they make very nice razors that are held in great esteem by seasoned straight shavers.

I have a Wacker “Old Sheffield” which is a ⅞ and a fantastic razor that I like very much.

https://wacker-rasiermesser.de/produ...rtno-1081.html

for Wacker in general: https://wacker-rasiermesser.de/produ...ors/index.html

for Böker: https://www.boker.de/en/straight-razors?p=1

In case of Wacker, you may have to use a translation software like Google Translate or similar.


Good luck with your search.



B

Might want to look at a Riga razor.
High carbon or Tungsten

sounds like you need a Swedish hollow ground in the collection!

I would buy a vintage NOS Solingen razor.

Something like this;

NOS Paul Drees Sistrum

At that price point either NOS vintage or a Riga. The suggestion of a Swedish razor is a good one too, not a lot of choices on 7/8+ razors and one in really good shape might be a bit above your budget.

What attributes are you looking for beyond 7/8, square point and black scales? Lots of #14’s land in that category and within budget.

Henckels 17’s and 14’s are nice razors and are available. 17 is a little smaller than the 14, and 1/2 hollow as opposed to full hollow. I have several and they are great. Henckels with black scales are carbon steel and the white-ish ones are Friodur blades aka stainless. They pricing is good on these and so is the availability.

To round out your collection, another option would be a Japanese razor. Most are in the 13/16 range, but occasionally you’ll find larger ones. The asymmetrical grinds are interesting, but there are also excellent symmetrical (western) grinds, mostly hollow. They tend to be good quality and pretty cheap (it’s all relative, I suppose).

I should only have such a problem!

As much as I've enjoyed and agree with previous posters -- in particular, Christian1 -- I have a different proposal:

Take your time to find and purchase a used ≧7/8 blade, with or without scales, and send it to one of the "razor whisperers" whose testimonials are legion on SRP (and/or elsewhere) for "rehab".

My 2-cents (which cost me a lot more). Thankfully, your budget is greater.

If your requirements are not set in stone, i say go for something really old like a Stub-tail, Old English, Cast Steel etc.. Good luck.