Thread: Buying the most durable straight razor

Hi,

I am switching from double edge razors to straight razors because i want to stop throwing all those metal blade at the trash.

I'm looking for a razor that i could give for my grand grand children. Which way should i go?

I think a 1/4 hollow ground (almost wedge) would be the best, since the blade is thicker and easier to hone than a full wedge. Do I really have to go vintage hunting to find what i want?


Vibrations

Welcome to SRP! I am not aware of anyone manufacturing wedge razors anymore, but that might not mean too much - you could fill volumes with the things I don't know

However, if you do get a vintage wedge, remember it has already lasted a hundred years. With just a little care it will live well for a hundred more. There are many brilliant restorers posting here, with lots of examples of wonderfully restored vintage razors that certainly would make your grandchildren proud. Check the classifieds, or follow the links in the signatures to visit their websites.

Best of luck!

Edit: I just saw that Dovo still might be making a 3/8 wedge, check this thread. Usually, people do prefer a larger blade, a 5/8 or 6/8 is usually recommended.

Hart Steel makes new razors that are near wedges. I haven't had the pleasure of shaving with one yet, but reviews seem pretty positive. I love the look of it, very simple.

+1 on checking out hart steel razors though for the price you might want a nice vintage. Harts look like workhorses if I was looking for something to pass down I'd probably want something a little more showy. Though I did just get a "Baxter of California" edition hart razor off the classified and my opininon might change when I get it in the mail.

Hart, Livi, Chandler, Williams, Wacker, all make wedge or 1/4 wedge, what every grind you want. Functional and artful razors but you could also get a box of vintage razors for restoration for the same price. You would however still need to restore the vintage blade. I have more than a few of each and appreciate them equally.

As the others have said, you could always go custom. Honestly, most any blade in good (vintage) or new (new or NOS) condition, with the right care, would fit your requirements. Good luck.

Originally Posted by Vibrations

I'm looking for a razor that i could give for my grand grand children....

... I think a 1/4 hollow ground (almost wedge) would be the best, since the blade is thicker and easier to hone than a full wedge...

Yes, a near wedge is easier to hone than a full wedge. But, speaking more generally, your criteria was longevity. You want to pass it on to grandchildren. So, unless you want a near wedge or quarter hollow, I don't think grind is important criteria.

A full hollow is as likely as a quarter hollow, in my opinion, to be around and usable by your grandchildren.

Dovo makes an entry level half-hollow. It's not especially fancy or anything, but it'll still outlive all of us if it's put away dry.

+1 to what everyone else here has said.

You can buy new, or buy off the classifieds (you can some really nice restorations in the $80+ range for a near wedge , depending on your taste and how much you want to spend).

+1 as well on a near wedge for newbies, they're easy to shave with, and very friendly on the face (currently near wedges and 1/4 hollows are my favorite grind).

As far as taking care of it to pass down to the grandkids, remember it's steel. Steel and moisture don't mix. As long as you dry it after use, and perhaps use some oil on the blade (depending on the humidity of where you live and your home), the razor will most likely outlive you, your kids, your greatgrand kids, and great-greatgrand kids.

Utopian has a formula of 1:200 parts oil to alcohol mix that I've been using that seems to work very well. (Though, trying to get 1 part of oil is difficult if you don't have a chemistry set, or other means of measuring. I just poured the alcohol into a plastic bottle with wide mouth and added a cap full of mineral oil. I probably added a bit too much oil, but, I figured more oil was better than less). Wipe the blade off and dip into the solution, let the alcohol evaporate, and you're good to go. (Though, it does take a few days of shaking the bottle to mix the solution completely). On your next use of the razor, take some tissue and wipe the blade off with a pass and strop. (Wiping off may not be necessary if you get the mix right, but, I can see small dropplets of oil on the blade on my razors, so a quick swipe with a tissue and then it's time to strop).

The plastic bottle I used was one of those wide mouth juice bottles for kids. Dipping the razor into it cover the razor with the solution about 1/2 up the tang from heel to scales. (And, try to keep the pivot pin dry as well during use. Not very difficult to do, really).

Make sure you're careful and don't hit the razor against the sink or faucet, as you'll most likely damage the blade (or break it).

The scales are fragile, too, so make sure you don't drop the razor or you may break your scales (ask me how I know this! Yeah, I did that. Kiss the scales goodbye).

Kent

I would echo Larry's advice that a full hollow is just as likely as a wedge to outlast even your grandchildren.