Wapi, Timor or.....?

I'm looking at some ideas and I need help making a decision. I know it's up to me, but I want some help.

My decisions are as follows:

1. W&B 5/8" to be sent out for a blade restoration, new scales and hone
2. Geo Wostenholm & sons. 4/8" (Needs same as above, but I'm not going to be as picky. Want the W&B Perfect)
3. Buy new - Timor 6/8" Blue steel - Pre sharpened
Pre-Sharpened Timor Blue Steel Straight Razor, 6/8"
4. Buy new - Wapieneca pre sharpened
Pre-Sharpened Wapienica, Wapi Straight Razor, Black Handle

5. ????????????????

:banghead::aargh::shrug:

It's really hard to give someone else input on which razor to buy, because, assuming all the razors are good quality, it is entirely personal preference. I also see there's not much info about the W&B or the Wosty.

My personal thoughts: I don't like 4/8 razors so the Wosty is out, I've not heard much about Timor's so I think that's to much (and I don't like round points) so that's out, and I think that's too much to spend on a Wapi (even rescaled by FloppyShoes - that is FloppyShoes, right?) so that's out too. Then again, unless that W&B is something special, I'd pick up something vintage instead of spending the money to have he restored. I'd say option 5, check the classifieds. (Why are those your only 4 choices?)

+1 on holli's post.

It's so hard because a razor that someone doesn't care for, you may love, and vice versa.

And yeah, the Wapi is a nice razor, but not worth the price for the rescale IMO.

Thanks guys.

The W&B is a barber's notch. It's beautiful to me, that's why I want it perfect. My main reason for wanting new is that I could have it within a few days and I don't have a razor that's been honed by a pro. The one I shave with daily is one that I've personally honed, as it wasn't too bad when I first got it and I'm one of those that needs to learn the hard way. I just bought a coticule last week and to be honest to you and myself, this is the first time that I've had a decent shave from it.

Anyway, thank you for your help. My wife said pretty much what you both did. I should have listened to her in the first place.:o

Good luck, and put up some pics when you get the new razor :D

I ordered one of those pre-sharpened wapis, and all i can say is DON'T. The pins, it seems, are the wrong size for the blade so It jiggles around and doesn't centre properly, When I called them, he said he would be happy to offer a full refund, but if he replaced it, it would probably be no better.

Customer Service: +1
Quality of this particular product: -1

Don't do it!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by holli4pirating

I've not heard much about Timor's so I think that's to much (and I don't like round points) so that's out

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The few things that has been said here about these new Timor made by the Giesen & Forsthoff company is that they are not that great. The old Timors are supposedly better.

Cove I went through something a little similar about a year ago. Different brands but same idea. OK in no particular order....

If you get a Wapi you're safest to go with the "stock" scales - stainless steel. I've heard stories about Wapis not holding their edge for as long as other blades, but it has to be admitted that Wapis are great blades especially for those not ready to go to more difficult blades. They also seem to keen up pretty easily once they start to get dull on you. I picked up a handful a while back and intended upon selling them all once I found a grind and size that fits me best, but I decided to keep a few for my sons. Great blades any way you look at them especially as an early daily blade. They were made for military in the field so sticking with original scales makes sense if you want them to remain durable.

The Timor is one I have no experience with at all. It looks a lot like a Fromm but that doesn't mean anything. I'd look for info here on it and if you cant find anything, wait until you can know how all grinds and sizes will work on you before you shell out the cash for an unknown.

Wosty's are great strong blades but I find 1/2 inch to be way too narrow for a beard of any thickness or coarseness. Even a Wosty Pipe. Doesn't really matter who makes it, a half inch is for trimming I say. I tried a half inch and swore the whiskers were yanking the blade out of my hand!

In the interest of disclosure I love W&Bs! But with that said, there's a reason most love them. To me it sounds like a tossup between a Wapi and W&B. In any case I would NOT send the W&B out for restoration at this point unless you just want new scales. I say that because there are a dozen or more shave ready W&Bs on the bay daily and they show up in the classifieds here regularly and the ones honed my SRP members are often sharper than what you get at many stores (SRD and SRP member owned stores exempted of course). It sounds like a well preserved W&B Bow or Special would be a good choice for you. It's not a modern full hollow and it's in the 5/8 to 11/16 range so it's wide and stout enough to be forgiving and glide through your beard.

I'd say Wapi for a quick buy that you'll use regularly (but with SS scales) and a W&B that is already in good shape and honed by an SRP member. It may take a little patience but I suspect you'll be happier in the end. If you can only do one, I'd wait for a well preserved W&B Bow or Special near 5/8 width.

Here's a link for an Ebay search listing only Wade & Butchers that I use, hope it works for you:
http://desc.shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nk..._ipg=50&_rdc=1

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AirColorado

Wosty's are great strong blades but I find 1/2 inch to be way too narrow for a beard of any thickness or coarseness. Even a Wosty Pipe. Doesn't really matter who makes it, a half inch is for trimming I say. I tried a half inch and swore the whiskers were yanking the blade out of my hand!

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That may be your personal preference or the result of your shaving technique, but it is certainly not true for everyone. I've had great shaves with blades under 4/8, and some members swear by the small blades.

I have worked on all of these blades. I think your best bet would be the Wapi.

Typically a new Wapi, even though a cheaper razor, is a decent razor. They can become a little finicky to hone as they pick up some hone wear or if honed unevenly or poorly from the start.

As for Timor's and the Fromm's mentioned, in my opinion, I would pass every time. I have honed and or tried to hone many of these over the past years and probably will send them back to customers as soon as I get them in the future. When I can get them honed, they typically do not provide the level of shave quality I am used to.

Have fun,

Lynn

+1n with Ken. I'd go with the Wapi. My personal Preference is usually a 6/8th's blade. I don't care for smaller blades, I have a Goatee, if I didn't, I see how a smaller blade would be great for my upper lip, other than that. it's not my thing. I am however, partial to the Wade and Butcher's. I love Sheffield Steel. It's among some of the best IMHO. If that W&B was sent to Max, it could be killer...

I can't speak to the other razors on your list, but I'll second Lynn's assesment of the Fromm. I have one, and out of pure stubborness persisted and got it to shave ok. It's in my rotation, but I'm unlikely to get another.

Enjoy your search, and please do let us know what you end up getting!

Jeff

Thanks for all the posts. I'll be holding on to my Geo and W&B for now, but hoping to send them out in the future. I really like both and even if I don't like the shave, I'm sure I can turn around and sell them for what I've put into them.

My final choice was to just buy a razor off the classifieds here. I ended up buying one of Sham's(Hi_Bud) razors this week. I'm looking forward to getting it and using it, hopefully next week. :beer2: