Thread: Best Straight for $150-250.00 Straight Razor suggestions. What do you think??

I use a LeGelot 1/4 grind and it is by far the smoothest shaver that I have. I have only been here using a razor about a year and a half and I really don't wander to far from the basic that "I want a great shave, everyday" attitude. I like it because of the grind and that it is a polished blade which makes it a winner for every day use. I have bought other razors and they are always measured against the LeGrelot. This is all personal of course.


Take Care,
Richard

Originally Posted by riooso

I use a LeGelot 1/4 grind and it is by far the smoothest shaver that I have.

Interesting. I have that razor, too (luckily not the mirror polish/wooden scales one), and I would definitely go for the Dovo Bismarck 6/8 instead. Reasons can be found in http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...6-8-black.html and http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...-4-hollow.html. Not least because: "albeit that the Le Grelot is a slightly different razor, I consider the Bismarck the better alternative (personal preference, mind you) - especially given the difference in price for the TI (which recently went out of production and now fetches prices that bear no relationship to its performance)." The TI can be a good razor, if you manage to get one that is in good condition. But I see no justification for the prices they fetch these days, except their being hyped because they were sold as fan articles over at another forum.

My first razor was a £30 ($46) 'bay special: JW Ragg, Sheffield: Napoleon. Hollow ground, 5/8". Shaved great, still using it now. But if I had £180 to spend on a razor...... It would have to be an absolutely massive Wade and Butcher or Wostenholm & Sons Chopper! No other reason than I love them!

James

When I first started shaveing with a straight I started with a Dovo Black Star from a local knife shop then it was on buying Dovo's TI's a Japanese some off e-bay and they all shave different honestly one of the best shavers I have is the low end no frills Dovo. If I had it to do all over I would start right where I did with a mid priced Dovo. It was not shave ready and I have some that came shave ready and the ones I like best are the ones I do myself. That just me I know what my face likes. Why buy a High dollar razor if you don't know if your going to enjoy it.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...-any-cost.html

As per discussion in this thread, buy a vintage razor. If your budget truly extends to $250, you will have no problem getting a great vintage razor, and having a lot left over. Check the Classifieds or ebay. I have 4 razors all purchased under $100 (one with resto went up to $120 though) that when compared to new counterparts would cost $200 or more.

I would suggest a nice Thiers-Issard new forging.

You have various sizes (5/8 or 6/8) and scale material to choose from (plastic, wood, horn etc.). You also can decide on what blade emblem you like depending on the vendor (i.e. LeCanadien, Le Bijou, Hen and Rooster etc.).

These new forgings are very very nice shavers and have great handling.

Lots of good input for you here, but I'll toss in my thoughts too...

You want to know what I would buy with a budget of $250? Easy...

As others have said, the Bergisher Lowe from SRD. If you buy it by 12/31, you get lifetime honing. In fact, I AM buying that razor on Friday (payday)

Edit for addition:
I should clarify. I am buying that razor next because of the special offer at SRD. If not for that, it opens up too many other options with that budget. The Bergisher Lowe will likely be my only Dovo though

Chaps,

May I gently draw your attention to this thread: http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...azor-what.html (yes, shameless plug for my own rambling thoughts...). I think the term "best" may be quite misleading because, as you will see in this thread, definitions of "good" vary widely.

Just for the record, I own both a http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...6-8-black.html (thanks, Lynn!), and a http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...her-loewe.html. Given the choice between the two of them, I would, without any hesitation, go for the Bismarck. Which goes to show how differently we judge the characteristics of a razor.

So, coming back to my initial reply to the original poster's question, I think that recommendations for a price range covering basically every razor available in the market are pretty much useless, unless you specify what characteristics you are looking for in particular. Which, incidentally, the original poster never did.

Originally Posted by BeBerlin

Chaps,

May I gently draw your attention to this thread: http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...azor-what.html (yes, shameless plug for my own rambling thoughts...). I think the term "best" may be quite misleading because, as you will see in this thread, definitions of "good" vary widely.

Just for the record, I own both a http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...6-8-black.html (thanks, Lynn!), and a http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...her-loewe.html. Given the choice between the two of them, I would, without any hesitation, go for the Bismarck. Which goes to show how differently we judge the characteristics of a razor.

So, coming back to my initial reply to the original poster's question, I think that recommendations for a price range covering basically every razor available in the market are pretty much useless, unless you specify what characteristics you are looking for in particular. Which, incidentally, the original poster never did.

The Bismark seems to be a very popular blade. May I ask why? Of all the Dovos, it seems to be the one most frequently recommended. I'm curious what makes it so well regarded?

I want the Bergischer Lowe because of the shape. Right now I have a vintage Bengal that has sort of a rounded or "soft" spike tip and a new production Boker (round point). I think I will like the style of the Bergischer Lowe based on my experience with my current razors.

Originally Posted by Hayduke

The Bismark seems to be a very popular blade. May I ask why? Of all the Dovos, it seems to be the one most frequently recommended. I'm curious what makes it so well regarded?

See the reviews. The Bismarck is bigger, and has less flex. I like the way it shaves better. They are both "good razors" (cf. http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...azor-what.html), my preference for the the Bismarck is mainly down to its shaving characteristics, and the more elegant style. Both massively subjective.

Originally Posted by Hayduke

I want the Bergischer Lowe because of the shape. Right now I have a vintage Bengal that has sort of a rounded or "soft" spike tip and a new production Boker (round point). I think I will like the style of the Bergischer Lowe based on my experience with my current razors.

I think it is an extremely pretty razor, and I think you will like it a lot.