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

Anything old stamped Solingen Sheffield Thiers that you've never heard of in good condition. I got two NOS Solingen blades for $15 or $20 each- they shave just as well as the big brand ones I own.

Gents, there are a lot of responses criticizing the OP's question. Most think he is asking "what's the best razor", but that's not what I think he's asking. The best way to sum up his question as I see it is, "if you had $250 to spend on a razor, what would you buy?"

I'm less sure if this will be his first or only razor, but that doesn't mean you can't let him know what you would purchase.

That's my interpretation at least. YMMV

I agree. And I still stand by my statement that that doesn't really accomplish anything, because everyone has different tastes and styles.

Thanks Hayduke. Thank you, Thank you!! When your new you don't know what to get. The only thing I can do is ask you guys what you would personally purchase. It is very obvious that everyone has a different opinion. Yes you can ask 50 different people and yes the results will vary however roughly 50 response's so far and I'm already seeing a general pattern. Exactly why I joined this forum. To those who stated the obvious and didn't exactly answer my question..thanks for clarifying that people have different preferences.In regards to those who read and answered my question of what you think/would buy..Your suggestions are very much appreciated. Yes Your personal selections do vary and again that's why I joined the forum to open my options. You guys are pointing out some great straights. Remarkably some of your personal choices are generally the same.That's all I could expect at this point. Got to start somewhere. Furthermore with all do respect,as I have stated I KNOW RESULTS VAIRY. I EXPECT RESULTS TO VAIRY. If you wish to respond, and I hope very much you do,Please answer the question "Best Straight for $150-250.00 Straight Razor suggestions. What do you think?" Thanks. Your opinions are very insightful and are very much appreciated. Please keep them coming!

Interesting thread. Not the first time the topic has been discussed, so I have concocted a new FAQ entry for it. Feel free to amend and enhance (quotes are attributed in the Wiki, but cut and past into the forum breaks them, so they are not present in the quote below).

Regards,
Robin

Frequently Asked Questions - Straight Razor Place Wiki
What is "a good razor"? What is "the best razor"?

There are many razors out in the market, and the choice can be confusing for a beginner. There are, however, many variables that contribute to the overall characteristics of a razor: Grind, steel, point, balance and all sorts of things play into people's preference of razors. Additionally, razors are hand made, and therefore, characteristics can vary even within the range of a single model. Other factors that contribute to the shaving experience can, and most likely will, be your level of experience, your manual dexterity, or even the products you use for face preparation. Some people like certain brands based solely on looks. Hence they pay obscene amounts of money for certain razors. Add to that a demand that is significantly higher than the supply available, and you might begin to understand why there can be no "best razor".

As far as good razors are concerned, there are some hard factors to consider:

• How does a razor perform on the hones?
• Do other razors of the same model perform consistently well? This might be difficult when passing a judgement on vintage Solingen razors which often came from small manufacturers which produced only a small number of a model.
• Finally, a look at SRP's razor review forum might be helpful. Most of the reviews in there are expert reviews, and will help you put the reviewed razor into a broader context.

Ultimately, though, the decision is yours, and yours alone. Whether a razor performs well for you depends on too many variables to pass a final, all encompassing judgement.

I guess my other issue is if I say, oh, Dubl Ducks (because there is no risk of this getting worse) are all great shavers, the price sky rockets. And while that is true, they're not 5x the shaver as a, oh, Friedr. Baurmann. They're actually pretty equal in my eyes.

But to play fair, here are my favourite razors so far that I have tried:
J A Schmidt and Sohne (6/8s singing RP CS)
Friedr. Baurmann and Sohne (4/8s near wedge muted-SP CS)
Hess 42 (5/8s 1/4 hollow SP SS)
Ducks and duck relatives
FW Engels Leader (6/8s singing SP CS)
Robert Buntenbach Tambour (6/8s singing RP CS)

Originally Posted by Hayduke

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

My Lowe Rider will be here by Tuesday!

Personally, for $250, in your position, I'd buy about four nice vintage razors (Sheffield/Solingen/French). Shave ready form reputable sources. If you didn't like them, barring calamities, you'd get your money back when you sold them. Wish I'd started out like that.

Dear Robert,

Originally Posted by TexasBob

I just got that razor and find it a bit hard to shave with. I think it is the thumb notch design (i.e. narrow waist), with a tapered spine at that point and no jimps.

So you own a 1/4 hollow Grelot, but have difficulty using the Dovo? How peculiar.

Originally Posted by TexasBob

The razor wants to flop back and forth so it takes a great deal of concentration to keep it at the desired angle -- kind of a balancing act.

Three things that come to mind:

1. You lack experience.
2. Your hands are wet (see 1. above for details)
3. The razor was honed by an amateur and doesn't shave like it should, thereby requiring you to apply too much pressure (see 1. above for details).

May I ask who honed it?

Originally Posted by TexasBob

Do you have experience with this razor and any thoughts on this? I was considering wrapping it with some sort of cloth-backed or rubberized tape to give it a more positive grip.

Oh, I do indeed. And I have no problems whatsoever using it. Quite the contrary, in fact.

Originally Posted by TexasBob

Oh, yes, It is advertised as 6/8 but I measure it as 13/16.

That's because all new Dovo's are POS' [sic!] Being a well respected member of B&B, you should really know better than to listen to a Dovo sales rep like myself.

Originally Posted by TexasBob

EDIT: I also find it hard to strop for the same reasons listed above and put a nick in my TM strop.

That's why we advise beginners to not invest too heavily into strops.

Kind regards,
Robin

Originally Posted by TexasBob

Robin,

I just got that razor and find it a bit hard to shave with. I think it is the thumb notch design (i.e. narrow waist), with a tapered spine at that point and no jimps. The razor wants to flop back and forth so it takes a great deal of concentration to keep it at the desired angle -- kind of a balancing act. Do you have experience with this razor and any thoughts on this? I was considering wrapping it with some sort of cloth-backed or rubberized tape to give it a more positive grip.

Oh, yes, It is advertised as 6/8 but I measure it as 13/16.

EDIT: I also find it hard to strop for the same reasons listed above and put a nick in my TM strop.

4/8 = 8/16
5/8 = 10/16
6/8 = 12/16
etc...

Was it a practice strop that you nicked? Otherwise, Tony does offer practice strops as well as Ruprazor.