Thread: Old Razors vs. New Razors

I've been at this since early January. I still have not really decided with the 40+ str8's I've collected with the RAD. This included old, new, shavette's, and Japanese. It seems that the size and configuration is makes the difference. The two different WAPI's are new/old and shave gr8. The Jos Herder 15/16 is a massive and beautiful shaver. The 2 Boker's are just OK. The Henkels SS can touch the whiskers off. The W&B and Wostenholm (Pipes and IXL) are warm and seem to melt the beard off. The other Sheffields are also very nice. The multiple American made and German are all great. The Chinese Double Arrow do a comfortable job.
I am still looking and deciding what to keep. You know, the shavette's do a great job with a very light touch-however they aren't really true str8's.
I am not really sure what the fuss is about the Japanese, the Tosuke is scary sharp but it is a PITA to use(even though it is exotic). I have Iwasaki on order and it should get here in a few weeks. I am #9 and they are expecting 12 in from Japan soon. At that time I'll have that experience to compare. I'll probably offer up the Tosuke on this forum at that time.
I do love them all and will likely filter down to a dozen or so to keep and then pass the other's on for others to try. There is something really special about using an antique tool. It is soothing. I am particularly pleased to use my father's old str8. I have taken it out and used it on his birthday, father's day, and the anniversary of his death. There is a great feeling of connection that comes along with this. I hope to provide this to my son. I have gotten him into method shaving with the DE's I've collected. He is not quite ready to move into st8 shaving yet.
JMHO
Sorry- got kinda long winded as I started this reply.
Headdoc

I love them both, so why dont I get to vote?

I really like my Mastro Livi razors but when it comes to value, quality, shave quality and ability to take and hold an edge, I'll take my vintage Sheffield razors. Love those razors from the 1800's. I have ten and looking for more.

The only new razor I have is a Double Arrow that I bought in a lot of 5 Straights. Set the bevel & went up through 16K hones & this is a pretty good razor but my go to #1 razor is a 1850's Wade & butcher. I am up to around 50 straights & only 1 new one.

Slawmeister

I voted vintage as I find the steel is better I have restored a few vintage cars and the steel is a lot better than modern just the way I think bare 70 year old steel takes a lot longer to form rust than modern steel and somewhere I read old steel can go glass hard through time.
So my way of thinking it should hold an edge on a razor better.
My way of thinking could be totally wrong.

I also went vintage, they must have a story........maybe good.....maybe not
But either way they are just much better in my opinion. I have one new razor, possibly will buy a couple more.

For my personal taste, I like new razors. I have two vintage razors that were inherited from an uncle. They are both 5/8 blades. I use them, but I prefer shaving with larger blades. If I locate a near-mint condition, fully hollow ground, 6/8 or 7/8 blade at the right price, I might consider it. Until then, I purchase new razors.

My collection has more vintage but I really have no preference. A good razor is a good razor. I use them each equally.

This is a resurrected thread that may fall into the vintage category itself

Since I wasn't a member back then I am glad that it has been brought back to life.

It seems that most people prefer vintage. I wonder if that's perhaps because they have had a hand in bringing them back into a usable condition.

I have to say that I started out with new ones, but having got one vintage one I now want more that said, I am also quite partial to custom razors too. My collection is still very small by comparison to most but slowly growing and I wonder if I get the kit to restore vintage razors and acquire the necessary skills then perhaps my collection could grow more rapidly.

I like old razors. Like many have said, they have a story. I also like new customs. I have several of those and their story just started. For example, I have a Max custom that has a pink wedge because my daughter was sitting with me when I ordered it and thought it would be cool.