Thread: The best of the..worst (EBAY Razors)

I couldn't agree more with Hoglaloo. Anything that I've ever tried to learn was easier with better equipment. That way you are isolating your technique rather than just fighting the equipment.

Originally Posted by acedking90

Also, is buying a used razor sanitary?

If you are worried about someone else having used it, even if you buy your razor new, and only send it out to be honed, it is quite possible someone else could have shaved with your razor, to test its keeness for example.

Regardless, if you clean it well with 70% alcohol its very unlikely that you are going to have problems with infection.

Now on the other hand, if someone with an active infection like hepatitis C or staph shaves with a razor and right after shaving immediately gives it to you to shave with, without any cleaning, yeah sure you could get infected.

Also in the restoration process not much is going to survive on that blade. All but one of mine are vintage blades, 99% are used well before I got them off ebite. Some ended up as patch knives but most where able to be returned to active shavers.

I only buy used blades as I love rebuilding them, but not as polish happy as some here . I buy the cheap ones, not to say they are the crap ones, I bid LOW and if I win great, if not I don't get shot for buying more razors After a bit of reading around here you will start to get the ground work for what names are a safe risk.

As for honeing, I came from a serious Kitchen Knife Aquisition Disorder (KKAD) so hones where not as much a problem I did however need to get a few stones that suited various straights better. You will find that your honeing skills and technique will tend to use some stones better than others. Not to say any one system is better than another, it's how you work that will dictate how you should buy. And that only comes from experience and asking alot of questions while doing it