Your Top 5 (or more) Makers

Since I constantly use only one, I will name that - vintage Solingen ERN. Hand forged barbers notch. Just love it.

Another place to try are estate sales. I just picked uo a Boker(King Cutter), a Genco(master Barber),a Wostenholm,and two Wade & Butchers, along with a Swatty Belgium barber hone for less than 25 usd. All were in very good condition (just some water stains and minor rust).:)

Razors that you're likely to see from time to time

Union Cutlery
Cadmen & Sons "Bengall"
Geneva Cutlery/Genco
Boker
Gotta

Anything from these markers is worth considering in the $20 - $50 range. Assuming decent condition

Gottas especially seem to go for lower prices than their performance would justify.

goshawk

Currently my favorite is a 7/8 Friodur and it probably will always be a favorite as the razor just shaves well. It's almost ten hours after this mornings shave and my face feels about as it would just after a Norelco shave. So there you go: Friodurs have my vote. But were I fickle, which I am, I'd also give a very respectful nod to the Le Grelot 1/4 grinds. And then there is... :thinking: Fickle is as fickle does, doncha know.

:beer2:

I from all of these lists I have owned or own a razor from maybe one or two makers.

Please continue to hunt for these brands so I can pick up $5-10 dollar wonders ;)

I'd say you have to have a DOVO Bismarck or Bergischer Lowe. They're awesome!

And a Boker or some description is a must have. I have an Edelweisse and its brilliant!

Oh, and a Wacker. And a Livi. And one of Buddels custom damascus razors, coz they just look fantastic!

And one of the TI celebrated silverwing with the rams horn scales. And a W&B meat chopper.

I think my favourite razor at the moment is my Bismarck, though that may change next time I shave..! :-)

Basically this is just a list of what I have and whats on my wish list..!

My top three

Revisor
Worldmaster (Otto Busch)
Les Croix

Having Lynn hone my new LeGrelot 1/4 grind, assuming/hoping it will make it into my top few. He's also honing my Blue Bell ... ditto in hoping it makes it into my top of the rotation.

Agree with all of the above brands, although not every razor of a particular brand is worth buying, obviously. Some are so ridiculously overpriced that you wonder what the seller is thinking. Some are in such bad condition that, well, you wonder what the seller is thinking.

Assuming that you knock out all of the "problem" razors in these two categories, I would agree with W&B, Geo. Wostenholm, old Henckels, ERN, Bengall, FWE, DD.

One other really, really good "dark horse" however is the Case Red Imp. Seriously, this was one of my best purchases ever. You can find them in excellent condition now and then, and the one I have just zips off the whiskers like a little Porsche sportscar tearing up hot asphalt. Anyway, you get the idea.