Thread: Beginner seeks advice on first purchase

Greetings! I'm new to straights so I am soliciting advice on the pro's and con's of what I am considering my first purchase of a new straight razor. Here goes: I'm very seriously considering a Thiers-Issard, Le Petit Francais 4/8. Yes, price is somewhat a consideration, but I would like something whose lineage starts with me. But from what I've read TI is really very old school, and very good. All of that appeals to me, but I really appreciate the opportunity to draw on the collective wisdom of this forum. Thanks!!

What's your budget.....that is, how much do you want to spend?

Welcome aboard! I'd suggest a restored SR from either the Classifieds here on SRP or from LarryAndro @ whippeddog.com. You'll get a nicely restored, shave ready razor at a great price, typically $35 or less. I recommend this for a number of reasons. First, many new SR's are not shave ready when they arrive, the exception being if you order from Straight Razor Designs. Lynn (our founder and fearless leader,also the proprietor of SRD) makes each SR shave ready before it goes out the door. The other reason for picking up a restored straight is that if for some reason this doesn't turn out to be your cup of tea, you haven't dumped $150+.

Both of my straights are restored ones. My Jos. Rodgers 5/8 square tip was picked up on the Classifieds for $35 or so, and my JB Eyre 4/8 barber's notch was $26 on whippeddog. One of the other nice things about using a restored straight is that you're shaving w/ a piece of history. My Rodgers was made in the 1870's and my Eyre, in the 1890's

Just some food for thought. Welcome to your new obsession!

There is a couple of question I must ask.
Is this your first razor?
Do you have a strop?
The TI razor is a good razor and will be a good shaver, but why the 4/8's?
And if you don't mind telling what is the price range you are looking at?

Yes I do have a strop, because I have ordered a combo from Whipped Dog. As far as do I already have a straight, I only have at this time a parker shavette that I have used only once ( I posted on the shave forum how that went). Why did I post the 4/8" because it was on the low end of the price scale, and I'm assuming that the blades themself should be pretty much all the same. I don't really have a budget but don't want to pay now over say $150 for something I am to date unsure I will use on a regular basis.

Thank you for your response, all.

Originally Posted by jebib3

Yes I do have a strop, because I have ordered a combo from Whipped Dog. As far as do I already have a straight, I only have at this time a parker shavette that I have used only once ( I posted on the shave forum how that went). Why did I post the 4/8" because it was on the low end of the price scale, and I'm assuming that the blades themself should be pretty much all the same. I don't really have a budget but don't want to pay now over say $150 for something I am to date unsure I will use on a regular basis.

Thank you for your response, all.

Ok if it's not something you think you will use all the time then buy a vintage blade (make sure it's shave ready) from the classifieds here. You will get a good vintage blade for a good price. I have a few new razors and to be honest I prefer my vintage blades. Later you can buy another blade if it's something you stick to. You will not be out very much money and you can always resell. This is the best option for what you are looking for. IMHO.

+1 to that.

If cost is a concern (and even if it wasn't) you should pick up a shave ready razor from the classifieds here, or from whippeddog.com. That way you won't have a lot of money tied up up front, and the razor will be serviceable and ready to shave with.

Welcome aboard, and good luck.