Thread: Modern vs Vintage

When I first started using a straight, I bought a Dovo Special to learn on, then a Dovo Bismark because of their beauty. Then, the next 80 or so razors I bought were all vintage - the older the better. The vast percentage of them were excellent shavers.

But lately, I have come to consider that there are 3 major manufacturers of straight razors left - in the world. Plus, a handful of extremely competent small batch and custom makers. I think about the 100's of great razor manufacturers from the golden age of the straight razor that are now out of business. Everybody wants those razors. I also think, wouldn't it be nice if this art grew to a point that at least 1 Sheffield company could come back. What if Filarmonica started making razors again? This is only going to happen if the market for new razors grew to the same demand that the market is growing for vintage steel.

Now I fully understand that I can buy $25 vintage razors all day long that once restored are superb. But that really isn't my point. 25 years from now, my new Dovo Special will be considered and antique. So will a new Thiers Issard. All of the new razors will eventually be considered vintage. I'm not sure where I am going with that point, except to say that I am reconsidering my vintage steel snobbery in support of new razors.

So I have now decided that I have enough vintage steel and I would like to contribute to the new razor market that might just bring back one of our beloved vintage manufacturers - however improbable that goal might be.

Alembic,

I like what you have said. It makes sense to me. I personally (still under a year of straight shaving) have two Dovos that I bought new. They are great. I have just recently purchased a vintage from a member (forgive me I forget from who), but I am overseas and have not been able to use it yet. I am sure it will be a great shaver.

My thing is this, I want to have a razor/s that are new and I can pass on to my children. As mentioned, by the time that time rolls around, those razors will be vintage. But I wanted at least one vintage, so I got one. I am sure I will love it just as much as I do my Dovos. I suppose I like the thought of having a vintage at the same time growing old with a "modern" razor.

My apologies to mikegeorge for not being able to answer your question. I just wanted to comment on what alembic had said. My thought is that it would come down to what you try and which one you like.

You're not making a fair comparison. Custom razors like Robert Williams makes are very different to modern factory razors. Compare a modern Dovo to say a vintage Le Grelot. My personal preference, customs aside, is for vintage razors.