Just bought this razor. Case red imp

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Hi Guys,

I'm totally new to straights. I bought a whipped dog special for $50 a week ago, but for some reason when I saw red imps on the forums, I was really drawn to them. Just don't know much as to the different models. Anyway, it was between this, and a Henckels Friodur Stainless. I was afraid this would get sold, and so I bought on impulse, without checking here first..Anyway, I paid $75 for it, from a member here. Im sure it'll be great, as he seemed pretty on the level. I just don't know what to look for in straights.Attachment 90584Attachment 90585Attachment 90586Attachment 90587Attachment 90588 The seller said theres some minor pitting on the center of the blade where the hollow would be... Here are some pics, I know nothing about this stuff.. Tell me if I did ok, or screwed up. Every other red imp Ive seen for sale were over $100, and the ones this price or less, looked all beat up....should I have gone with the stainless henckels for $110 and new in a brick and mortar store. I guess I can go pick up the henckels anyway, and put one back on the sales forum

Thanks for your help,

B

You have decided wisely. Red Imp 132 wedges are of the "modern grind" type of wedge. Easy to strop and shave. Holds an edge great too! Great starter razor, IMHO. It appears to be in as-new shape.
Nice price too!

You might like the wedge. I am not a fan.. I never got the hang of the 132... It is personal preference though.. I like the 133... I have three of them now. One that has never left the rotation, an two in the "fix it" box..

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Originally Posted by Wintchase

You might like the wedge. I am not a fan.. I never got the hang of the 132... It is personal preference though.. I like the 133... I have three of them now. One that has never left the rotation, an two in the "fix it" box..

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Is the 133 easier to use? What didn't you like about it?

If I may answer, the 133 is a very concave razor, thinly ground, flexable and somewhat larger, whereas the 132 is a wedge, thicker, stiff and somewhat smaller. Look in the library here for descriptions. Some prefer wedges and some, concaves. I like them both! You will get many contrasting opinions on this. I do, however think the smaller modern grind wedges such as the 132 make it easier to learn with.
JMO

@Chefbaze Your new but I am going to place this warning in both of these threads you just posted

We don't do Valuations on SRP and that is what you are asking us to do

The reason being is what if I posted right here right now that this razor was worth $20 you would be mad the seller would be mad and the number would just be my opinion,, Or reverse that and say I said it was worth $150 you would be happy and the Seller would be mad, so we just don't allow valuations on SRP as they are just each persons opinion


I will leave the thread open as long as we all stay on the razor and not the perceived value


Glen
Senior Mod SRP

Beautiful. Great choice. Best American made razor in my opinion

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Originally Posted by gssixgun

@Chefbaze Your new but I am going to place this warning in both of these threads you just posted

We don't do Valuations on SRP aand that is what you are asking us to do

The reason being is what if I posted right here right now that this razor was worth $20 you would be mad the seller would be mad and the number would just be my opinion,, Or reverse that and say I said it was worth $150 you would be happy and the Seller would be mad so we just dont allow valuations on SRP


I will leave the thread open as long as we all stay on the razor and not the precieved value


Glen
Senior Mod SRP

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Completely understandable, I am sorry....from what you see are these good razors? Forget value. I spent that every 2 months on cartridges...

The Red Imp is an amazing shaver !!!

I have many razors and in LARGE and small sizes.. from an 17/16 down to a 4/8 and the Red Imp is definatly in the top 5 of my shavers. Take good care of her and it will outlast you by 100 years!

You got a superior razor for your first one... trust me there will be many more but I can assure you that the Red Imp will continue to be in the rotation.

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Originally Posted by Chefbaze

Completely understandable, I am sorry....from what you see are these good razors? Forget value. I spent that every 2 months on cartridges...

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Yes excellent Razors IMHO take and hold a super fine edge, the difference between the #133 and #132 is really only personal :)

Both of them are quality razors - capable of providing a lifetime of outstanding shaves.
As noted above, you may find that you prefer different sizes or grinds or steels, or you may not.

132s are great also, i just prefer the feedback of a hollow..... Saying that, i do alsohave wedges in my rotation... I have grown to appreciate them more.

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Originally Posted by Earthdawn

The Red Imp is an amazing shaver !!!

I have many razors and in LARGE and small sizes.. from an 17/16 down to a 4/8 and the Red Imp is definatly in the top 5 of my shavers. Take good care of her and it will outlast you by 100 years!

You got a superior razor for your first one... trust me there will be many more but I can assure you that the Red Imp will continue to be in the rotation.

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The seller mentioned there was some minor pitting. the photos weren't that close up, but the razor looked fine to me? Well that affect its longevity?

That's one great looking razor, it ticks all my boxes. I am always on the lookout for Red Imps over here they are as common as hens teeth in the UK

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Originally Posted by osdset

That's one great looking razor, it ticks all my boxes. I am always on the lookout for Red Imps over here they are as common as hens teeth in the UK

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Thank you. I'm so new to straights. I've only used a starter beat up old straight for 2 shaves, with a hollow and rounded tip. Gladly, I had no cuts.. ButI had no idea, there was that big a difference in feel and performance. I just hope Im able to use a wedge comfortably...

I like the look of these.
"Nuva one" for the list.

I like red imps and have several 133s and 132s. while the hollow ground razors provide a little more feedback and noise while shaving the smooth silence of a wedge mowing the beard is especially nice some mornings. as long as the edge is sharp the shave should be comfortable.

YMMV

Beautiful razor, thanks for sharing!

The Imps were made by a couple of makers and some have an exaggerated spike which can bite if you're not careful. otherwise a superior razor.

That is a very nice razor and as long as you take care of it. you should not have any problems. I have full hollows all the way through to full wedges, but the full wedges are my favorite.

In my humble experience, a wedge, does its job very well. I have a very heavy coarse beard and a wedge, will give me a close comfortable shave and still ask for more. The hollow grinds are a bit too flexible for my beard growth. But I still use them here and there.

As for the pitting, I wouldn't worry, as you said it's in the middle, as long as its not in the edge you'll be fine. just dry it well after use and oil it. I use clipper oil on mine when I'm done. There's other oils listed on the site, but this works for me. Like was said before, price doesn't matter as long as you and the seller feel the price is fair and all parties are happy that's what counts.

Enjoy and let us know how you like it.

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Originally Posted by twogun

That is a very nice razor and as long as you take care of it. you should not have any problems. I have full hollows all the way through to full wedges, but the full wedges are my favorite.

In my humble experience, a wedge, does its job very well. I have a very heavy coarse nears i and a wedge, will give me a close comfortable shave and still ask for more. The hollow grinds are a bit too flexible for my beard growth. But I still use them here and there.

As for the pitting, I wouldn't worry too much, as you said it's in the middle, as long as its not in the edge you'll be fine. just dry it well after use and oil it. I use clipper oil on mine when I'm done. There's other oils listed on the site, but this works for me. Like was said before, price doesn't matter as long as you and the seller feel the price is fair and all parties are happy that's what counts.

Enjoy and let us know how you like it.

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Thank you! I too have a VERY coarse beard, so maybe I did a good thing getting the wedge. I didint know wedges were better for coarse beards, learn something new every day. I was wondering why the freshly honed hollow razor that I just got was tugging and pulling a little.. I don't cut myself, but out want very comfortable. With a de, if I use blades other than feathers, kais, and maybe bolzanos, I get tugging..

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

The Imps were made by a couple of makers and some have an exaggerated spike which can bite if you're not careful. otherwise a superior razor.

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Well being that I'm so new to straights, would it be ok to ask whoever homes out for me to dull the tip a little without ruining the razors integrity. Can it be brought back to normal later?

Hi Chefbaze,

I spent a (some) night(s) in Paris. Having a dinner with my beautiful wife. Costed me more then $ 75.00. Had a marvellous time which, let alone the memory, will in due course vanish in a haze. You bought something that with good care will be surpassed to your grandsons.
Well done!
Joost Moree, The Netherlands

I've got a Red Imp 132 in the workshop ATM.
Attachment 91463
As you can see it has a couple of chips that I will need to hone out, however, I do like the three pin scales.
It has the number 18 scratched into both scales as well - I have no idea what that means.
I can't wait to bring her back to her former glory and shave with her.
I have a 7/8 wedge to do first then I'll get to this one.
Hang on and enjoy the ride.

I just bought one just like it at a gun and knife show. I haven't shaved with it yet. Good razor and a good deal, I think.