Thread: How do I find a Double Arrow?

So I have never seen a double arrow with markings, so I dunno what to look for. And is it only DA that makes good razors out of China? Any thoughts on chinese steel in general, and if DA is one of a few good out of a lot of bad, how do I differentiate?
What are your thoughts on this:

That looks like an ebay special I once bought when I didnt know which was which.The one I bought was total junk.I fiddled with it for a while,but came to the conclusion it wasn't worth my time.The DA's people talk about on here are a different animal.I think most have gotten them from:

cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=220451136159&Category= 35990&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26its%3DI%26otn%3D2

The Double Arrows without the branding are actually rumoured to be superior shavers.
Here's a link to a member's site where they're available shave ready.
Not sure on the blade you've pictured. Can't make out the markings. What do they say? It's better to avoid unknowns till you've plenty of experience though.

Looks like along the spine it says CHINA, and on the heel, STAINLESS.
I have two DA's and they provide a passable shave, and they hold their edge quite a long time.
However, my 1/4 hollow Le Grelot leaves them in the dust.

Originally Posted by Fnord5

However, my 1/4 hollow Le Grelot leaves them in the dust.

DUH. Thats not what I'm looking for. I'm looking for el cheapo blades that actually shave so I can experiment on things other than my precious RAD acquisitions.

A one time very active member, (Charlie Seigel), of the older original Yahoo straightrazorplace forum, (still somewhat active), had a Double Arrow in his rotation with some of the finest straight razors. He always talked very highly of his.

By the way; the Chinese ARE capable of making steel the quality of which is excellent. Don't lump them in with the Pakistanis when it comes to steel. My sister travels to China on a regular basis and deals with intricut highly specialized steel items and she tells me they can make nearly anything you want in the quality you demand.

Originally Posted by Fnord5

Looks like along the spine it says CHINA, and on the heel, STAINLESS.
I have two DA's and they provide a passable shave, and they hold their edge quite a long time.
However, my 1/4 hollow Le Grelot leaves them in the dust.

I hope that sentence reads you *had* two DAs that gave a passable shave.


Short synopsis. Worth the $10 if you either send your razors to be honed by someone else, or are very good/experienced with honing razors. They take a good edge, don't know how well they hold it. I'd rate the edge attaining abilities as lower/mid end German steel. But they *can* be great, maybe even exceptional shavers, but the QC is too bad for me to give them that title.

This is all very well and good, I know they give passable shaves. I'm looking for how to differentiate the good (DA's) from the bad (generics like Pakistanis). I have amazing Solingen razors that I love and I'm sure would be far better. I'm looking for something cheap but usable so I can experiment on.

Originally Posted by khaos

This is all very well and good, I know they give passable shaves. I'm looking for how to differentiate the good (DA's) from the bad (generics like Pakistanis). I have amazing Solingen razors that I love and I'm sure would be far better. I'm looking for something cheap but usable so I can experiment on.

Buy the DAs from Stamps_222. He sells the "good stuff".