Does anyone know if there are FAIR TRADE RAZORS?
I've asked someone to buy some straight razors in India.
Any relevant tip is welcome!
Thank you in advance!!
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Does anyone know if there are FAIR TRADE RAZORS?
I've asked someone to buy some straight razors in India.
Any relevant tip is welcome!
Thank you in advance!!
Read the Wiki, Razors not to buy. India/Pakistan are not a good idea. You need good steel, buy vintage if you're unwilling to support modern capitalist practices (they tend to be better/equal quality too), most of the suppliers are defunct.
Quote:
Originally Posted by wr1l
Are you looking for fair trade stuff? I thought that applied to produce.
I doubt anything manufactured in India would be considered fair trade.
I would "recycle" if I was you, get a vintage razor. No significant extra damage to the environment thataway.
Thank you for your advice!!
I've looked for some vintage razors and found some rusty razors. Are these a serious problem?
Thank you in advance!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by wr1l
Well..... Yes and no.
If you are planning to just buy a razor and shave with it. YES.
If you are planning to buy a razor restore.... Maybe. Depends on the amount of rust and where it is.
OK, thanks!
I guess I would have to clean/restore the vintage razor.
Would you look at some pictures for me? You can scroll down to see some more and better pictures on these sites:
http://www.marktplaats.nl/index.php?...tml%3Fxref%3D1
http://www.marktplaats.nl/index.php?...tml%3Fxref%3D1
http://www.marktplaats.nl/index.php?...tml%3Fxref%3D1
http://www.marktplaats.nl/index.php?...tml%3Fxref%3D1
http://www.marktplaats.nl/index.php?...tml%3Fxref%3D1
http://www.marktplaats.nl/index.php?...tml%3Fxref%3D1
Thank you in advance!!
In my opinion:
1st is a definite no since there appears to be damage/wear at the end of the blade. Only worth buying if you werent planning on using it, and even then i'd think twice...
2nd is a good make, nice scales (handle) but the blade is unclear in the pic
3rd appears also to have had alot of hone wear, though this is more even. The pic is bad though so again I wouldnt trust it.
4th has also seen some wear on the tip of the blade making it uneven. Again I would avoid it if its to be used to shave with.
5th appears to be two razors, in semi-reasonable condition. I would only consider shaving with the one marked 'ERN 166' but only after it has been restored. The other one i'm not sure about. It certainly has been honed to a curve at the tip. If this is the style, someone else i'm sure will tell you.
6th is far and away the best one. Boker is a good make and the blade appears to be in good condition. In this condition and at that price I would snap it up. If you dont I will :P (Seriously, if you dont go for it PM me and i'll buy it :))
My recommendation: Buy the 6th and if it needs honing/restoration before use then find someone here at SRP to do so before you begin shaving. Get the tools right before you start and you're already half way to a great shave.
Dont forget you will need a strop too. ;)
SK
That Boker is well worth grabbing.
Thank you!
The Boker was the first razor I saw. I was/am quite suspicious about the ad, but just I wrote the guy that I want to buy it.
Thank you all!!
I have got some Böker razors, among them an "Edelweiss" anf "King Cutter" model. These are, together with my Filarmonicas, the best razors I own. They are easy to hone, take an exceptional keen an sharp edge and shaving feels like wiping off the stubble with a silk cloth.
Clear recommendation on the "Edelweiss"!
Buy a vintage razor from a reputable dealer. The classifieds here are good and/or, if you're in Europe, there are other options. Get a razor that is ready to shave with. This is the starting point. Once you shave with one that's good then you know what you're aiming for when you start restoring for yourself. Honestly, do not skip this step.
A HUGE plus one on this! If there was a big fat '+1' button I would press it for this post. Several times.Quote:
Originally Posted by AlanII
+1
Thank you guys!!
I'm from Holland by the way and I'll try to find a reputable dealer for a vintage razor!!
The Invisible Edge based in the UK, I can vouch for. Their service over the channel is excellent. There are alternatives, I'm sure others will chip in.Quote:
Originally Posted by wr1l
Wow, thanks!!
I'll probably order from Introduction to razors
Could you guys make a suggestion on which particular razor I could order best? I have thick hear (I can't use a regular Gillette blade for more than one time since I start shaving my head)! I'd like to use it 2 times a week and a good grip (on a broad scale) would be preferable.
PS. My uncle works in a metal factory. I hope I can call him tomorrow to ask if it's possible to fabricate a razor for me. (I have a piece metal I could use for it perhaps). Tips concerning this are also quite welcome!
Thanks in advance!!!
Good choice going there. I have heard only good stuff about TIE and have had great products from them.Quote:
Originally Posted by wr1l
As long as you get a good quality razor then this will be a matter of keeping it well honed.Quote:
Originally Posted by wr1l
Having a custom made for you is always great, particularly if it is a family member or someone close to you. I would warn you however that the razor would best be made of particular metal such as carbon steel. You would also need to take care to make sure that the blade is properly aligned in the scales. Speak to a razor restorer on this site if you want to continue down this road.Quote:
Originally Posted by wr1l
:tu
Hi there,
(Thanks again to all the people that helped me.)
I now have 5 vintage razors (for 50 Euro's (no S&H)) from marktplaats.nl).
I've made some pictures and put them online: Flickr: WR1L's Photostream
Does anyone know:
- what the best is way to clean them?
(I've thought of leaving the razors in some hot water with baking soda or something).
- what I need if I want to use them?
(I'm thinking of a strop on a board - I can't find one on marktplaats.nl though - could I perhaps make one myself? I have some leather at home, but I'm not sure if it's useful).
Thank you in advance!
Regards,
Wichal
To be honest, I wouldn't try water with baking soda. Carbon steel generally does not like water. I think wiki is good place to start read up on the restoration, though I'm sure the restoration gurus will comment for you.Quote:
Originally Posted by wr1l
I have used 0000 steel wool with oil/polishing stuff.
For some reason, I can't open the large version of your pictures. Based on the smaller pictures, I'd say that you might be able to clean them without doing any real sanding and polishing, which is always required if there is anything more than very superficial corrosion on the razor.
Get some Peek Polish (Peek Polish - Home). It's easily to come by in the Netherlands (you are in the Netherlands, right?) You could rub the razor with Peek and a rag, or for more serious cleaning, you could use very fine ("000") steel wool instead of the rag. It also works well on scales.
Think twice before using sandpaper, unless you know what you are getting into. I often see razors with nasty scratches. Some people reach far too easily to sandpaper. Even 220 grit sandpaper, which is considered "very fine" for painting purposes, can do ugly things on a razor. Handsanding a razor is a very time consuming process that takes patience and knowledge. The latter can be found in the wiki: Hand sanding a blade - Straight Razor Place Wiki
Best regards,
Bart.
Thank you guys!
I'm not sure if the baking soda will be harmfull.
Anyway, if there are other suggestions they're more than welcome.
I've just e-mailed the guys from Peek Polish.
I want to know what's in their product.
Anyway, isn't there a natural way to clean them?
With vinegar or something?
I (still) would like to know if:
I could make my own strop on a board?
If it's wise to get a vintage strop on a board somewhere?
And, if all strops are made with leather?
Thank you in advance!
I'm not sure about the baking soda either. I've heard the it is used in japanese sharpening to halt rusting, but I have no idea what a prolonged soak would do. As a experiment I immersed one breaten up razor to a sanitizing liquid which had some 40% water and it began form rust blooms in 20 minutes.Quote:
Originally Posted by wr1l
I've read that vinegar would be used to darken the blade with patina rather than clean it. Since it is acidic (one site reported ~2.4ph) it will facilitate further oxidation, but this might or might not be easier to remove. I have no own experiences.
I don't see what could stop you making your own paddle strop. Just make sure the substrate you attach the leather is flat and the leather feels ok.
There are also synthetic strops available, which are meant to replace leather, but mainly finishing strops are leather. The linen/fabric strops are meant to be used in conjunction with leather finishing strop, i think.