Thread: Bartmann vs. Wapi (looking for an all stainless)

I'm looking for a very clean, sleek, industrial straight razor - the two that have caught my eye are:

5/8 Wapienica (5/8 Shave Ready Wapienica razor (Wapi's))

and

6/8 Bartmann with single bevel (6/8 Original Bartmann Japanese Style Single Bevel Square Point - stainless steel handles : Shaving Shop - luxury classic wet shaving products - straight razors)

From the photos, they seem nearly identical. Of course the Bartmann has a more impressive heritage, from what I know. But these will be used for daily shaving, in rotation, not for display.

In terms of the shave - what do you recommend?

Or, can you think of any other options that match these industrial aesthetics?

Thank you!

- Mark

I'd go with the wapi If it were me, those have a great track record at a very good price. I wouldn't bother with that bartmann surgical razor...you can do much better for that price, and it would add quite a bit of difficulty to actual use in my opinion (as far as I know these are not for shaving...but I'm no expert). What other gear do you have already?

The bartman is not a razor - at least I don't think it was made with that intention and looks like John more or less says the same thing.
I would strongly caution you to stay away from it, unless you know what you're doing.

Another option perhaps I know little about it but I think Seraphim has one maybe do a search. If your willing to go 100.00 anyway I would hold out for a Henckels Friodur.http://cgi.ebay.com/STRAIGHT-RAZOR-FIRST-CLASS-EISHARTUNG-INOX-ROSTFREI_W0QQitemZ320362298243QQcmdZViewItemQQptZL H_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4a9714bb83&_trksid=p328 6.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C 39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

Thanks, everyone, for all the feedback. Sounds like the Bartmann is not for me. I normally shave with an Edwin Jagger - very straightforward, no complaints. But birthday's approaching, and I've been promised some new straight razors - but have been asked to pick out my wish list.

Vashaver, that ebay link you included pointed to a razor with what appear to be white plastic or celluloid scales, not metal ones. And I haven't seen any Friodurs available (i.e. shavingshop) with all metal scales or construction.

There's a Darrel Ralph custom that has a really great industrial appeal - but it's about $700, which is over my limit. If anyone has any other good suggestions, I'm certainly open!

I may just opt for the inexpensive Wapi, and then also get something completely different -- on the more ornate side of the spectrum...

I'm not entirely sure if there is anything stainless other than a Wapi currently in production.

Geneva pyramid brand is a good stainless and you can get one for pretty cheap. They're used though.

First of all, the blade of the Wapi is carbon steel not stainless. Only the scales are stainless.

Second, there are two models of all stainless steel razors currently made by Dovo and available from dovorazors.com (scroll down), one with polished scales and one with satin.

I do know of other razors with stainless steel scales but no others with a stainless steel blade.

The Dovo's are good. Like all the wapi's they suffer from odd balance, as the steel scales throw it off a little, but the No 41 blade they have is fantastic! Far more expensive than the wapi, but a true all stainless razor.

''industrial''!
Sorry I some how missed that one key word!

Bartmann is a great old brand but that looks to me like a microtome. It is used for cutting tissue for examining under a microscope. I have successfully honed one that I accidentally bought from an ebay seller who only showed the hollow side but I wouldn't recommend it. The Dovo is a good razor and Shaving Shop has some Wackers that are good.