Thread: Top 10 Straight Brands to look for???

Hey All,

I'm feelin some real information overload with all the options out there and I was wondering if there is a list of top brand names to look out for on Ebay or out and about etc. ? If there isn't can we create one?

I know it would be useful for me as I'm getting more and more into str8's. Thanks!

There is a list but I can't remember where it is. Here's a top of the head list:

Some Good brands:

1. Wade & Butcher
2. T. Hessen Bruch & Co. (underrated in my opinion)
3. Henckels
4. Friodur (a form of Henckels)
5. Geneva Cutlery or Genco
6. Robeson
7. Cattaraugus
8. Boker
9. Le Grelot
10. Thierrs Issard
11. Dovo
12. dubbl duck
13. beau brummel
14. c-mon
15. puma
16 engstrom
17. heljestrand

And there are any many more - I bought the Roy Ritchie & Ron Stewart "Standard Guide to Rzors" which is great and though it's valuations aren't necessarily what you see on ebay, I found it very helpful in identifying brands that are really good but aren't costly on ebay (like robeson, geneva).

Don't forget Filarmonica

Here is also a good list
http://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwi...t_Razor_Brands

My sharpest razors are my Fontana, Taylors Eye Witness, Cornwall(even though it proved a tough one at first), William Webster(sold), Genco, Gotto (nearly as sharp as my Fontana).
My Le Grelot needs a bit more work,My Ivory Oblique point works better than it's keeness suggests, my W&B shows potiential but needs more work.
My Kropp is good but doesn't seem capable of holding an edge as sharp as some of my German steel.
My first shave ready razor Mr Watt's service razor can be plain stroped back to life even after serious abuse - IE my wifes legs
M

I could type up the brands in my sig, but it's easier to just say "see my sig." Those are my "keepers," and they are all great blades. Some are already named, others are not.

Apart from the Wiki list kindly mentioned by Antares, I would like to add that I have two totally unknown (according to google) German razors that are really good. I think that looking for razors to avoid is a safer option, lest you miss some nice razors not recommended because noone knows them in the process.

Loueedacat's list includes a lot of expensive, prestige brands. I'm no expert, but here are some reasonably priced razors I've got off ebay that, after a bit (sometimes a lot) of work have proven their mettle.

1. Fontana 13/16 singing RP; Solingen; my sharpest: $9.99 + S&H. (Some pitting)

2. Genco Army & Navy 4/8 SP; US, very light, very smooth and sharp: $4.99 (Broken scale)

3. S R Droescher Karbono 4/8 SP; Solingen; Droescher make some of the Dubl Ducks: ~$13 (Just lucky)

4. Wester Bros De-Fi 11/16 singing RP; Solingen; ~$12 (Auction ended in wee hours)

5. Wade & Butcher shoulderless 6/8 SP; Sheffield $18 (Light rust)

6. Genco Registered 5/8 RP; US; $12 (Ugly scales)

7. ERN Blue Steel 9/16 OP; Solingen $9.99 (Dirty blade, looked like pitting)

8. Sword & Crown Souvenir13/16 SP; Solingen-Wald; ~13 or $14 (Bad picture)

9. Boker Red Injun No.101 5/8 SP; Germany; $4.99 (Bad description and blade only)

10. F W Engels Lucky singing 6/8 RP; Solingen; $15 (Some pitting near the spine)

I really don't like this "name the best" of anything. especially with razors I think it would be more a disservice. There are just so many real quality razors out there and many great shavers that most have never heard of.

I would just say look for the pedigree of the name and if its from the countries known to make quality razors you won't go wrong.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I really don't like this "name the best" of anything. especially with razors I think it would be more a disservice. There are just so many real quality razors out there and many great shavers that most have never heard of.

I would just say look for the pedigree of the name and if its from the countries known to make quality razors you won't go wrong.

+1 Check WIKI for razors to avoid and experiance life!