Thread: Found vintage razor: good starter?

Coincidentally, the same day I joined this site, my girlfriend came into possession of a vintage razor. I'm wondering if it would be a good razor to have professionally honed and use to learn to shave, or if I should save it for when I've got some skill built up.

The box says Red Imp, but the scale says Red Point. It's a 5/8 and appears to be a half hollow. There is a little pitting on one side and some corrosion near the pin, but it appears to be in otherwise good shape. The tang says it was made in Germany, and one side is stamped with the number 917, if that means anything.

Does this sound like it might be a good first straight razor?

The Red Point 917 has an excellent reputation, and that one is in fantastic shape, I have had several and still use my favorite from time to time, I would get that thing honed though before you try it out. Be sure to thank her properly, she has done you well! Welcome to SRP!

Agreed. Those are great shavers. The box is from an entirely different razor and has nothing to do with the razor. The Red Point razors were made both in Germany and in the US. The 5/8 size was the most commonly made razor and is the size most often recommended for beginners so you are good there. I've never seen a Red Point razor that was anything but a full hollow but if yours is a half hollow that's still just fine. As long as you get it honed right, you will be off to a great start with that razor.

That's a really nice find - you did yourself proud. It is a full hollow ground blade.

Great score... like the guys said, once you send it out to be honed it should be a great razor... way to go!

Nice razor...love the scales