Thread: looking for some intel....

IMO you would be better off with a razor on the lower priced end from the SRP classifieds. Alternatively you could check local antique shops or flea market type venues. Sometimes reasonably priced razors in good to excellent condition can be found. Condition being the paramount consideration. The Krieger is on the list of razors to avoid and for good reason. Practicing honing with a razor that you will never get to shave ready is an excersise in futility and not at all instructive.

Couldn't agree more with the above.
Also if you get a cheap vintage get someone to set the bevel for you then you can just practice honing rather than edge restoration.

Practicing honing with a razor that you will never get to shave ready is an excersise in futility and not at all instructive.

JimmyHAD puts it very well.

Better to spend your time and money on a _real_ razor (even with broken scales and rusty blade) that will shave well after you work on it, than a shiny new "razor" that won't.

In my experience, good-looking vintage razors at antique shops can be pricey. But "plain" razors - tarnished, with cracked scales - are often less than $20. Many of those are within "beginner capabilities" for bevel re-setting and honing.

Charles

Good advice above. Cheap in this instance means inexpensive not junk. If the metal isn't of good razor quality you will not be learning anything of value. I find local shops to be the nest source for a good quality razor for a 'cheap' price. Any razor from Sheffield, Solingen or the US probably would do well. During one of our meets I broke out a bunch of razors that were beyond restoration due to heavy pitting on hollow grinds. The guys had a ball honing them up because they felt that there was nothing to ruin and they learned a lot from them. Those razors, although not something we would want to put into a rotation served a good purpose and may do the same some day. I would suggest a low cost razor from the countries above that is in a condition that you would use when finished. Something in the $1 - $20 range can be had if you are patient. You may also want to PM Holli4Pirating as ask if he has a low cost razor you can purchase to learn honing with.

All good advise. I just picked up another boker 11/16 with a good clean blade and broken scales at a local flea market for $5. So go out hunting they are out there.

All great advice here. The classifieds are a great place to find a good razor at a reasonable price. Lot's of guys post razors particularly with beginners in mind. Please, please please don't waste your time and money with a zeepk.

One important question is what kind of honing do you want to be practicing?
That would determine what razor you need for the practice.
If you want to be able to restore the edge on damaged razors and make them shave, almost anything that doesn't have extensive hone wear and damage could work. This also necessitates you to purchase at least three hones.

OTOH if you only want to keep your razors sharp and not repair bevels the best way is to practice on your regular razor that used to shave well and is just started to deteriorate a bit. This is also far easier than the previous scenario.

Originally Posted by gugi

One important question is what kind of honing do you want to be practicing?
That would determine what razor you need for the practice.
If you want to be able to restore the edge on damaged razors and make them shave, almost anything that doesn't have extensive hone wear and damage could work. This also necessitates you to purchase at least three hones.

OTOH if you only want to keep your razors sharp and not repair bevels the best way is to practice on your regular razor that used to shave well and is just started to deteriorate a bit. This is also far easier than the previous scenario.

That's a good point Gugi. I don't know why I always assume honing means from dead dull. I guess that's what the majority of my honing is.

Gugi does make a good point. That is also why I think it is best to have a couple of pro honed razors to shave with and for the honer to gauge his own efforts on other 'practice' razors. Not junk as Joed noted above but something to shave with once the honing is learned well enough. Focus should be on learning the basics of shaving, prep, lathering, stropping first though I guess.