Thread: Art of Shaving Razors (and Where Else to Buy?)

I bought mine from AOS (The Theirs-Issard with the steel scales). I have never had it sharpened, and have shaved quite comfortably with it 7 times now. However, I have never used a professionally honed/stropped razor. So, it may be more appropriate to call it "shave capable".

Also, I can't recommend the razor I got. I like the look of it a lot, and Theirs-Issard makes a great razor, but the heavy steel scales really make for poor balance.

My first razor was form AoS. I got the cheapest one I could find incase I didnt like it. First- they do not sell shave ready razors. I found out the hard way after the guy at the store assured me that it was good to go (I found this awesome website after the purchase). You can get any razor they sell at their stores cheaper (and honed) at SRD. However, with that being said, I really do like their shaving creams and balms at the store.

J

Per a statement w/in the description of AOS's least expensive AOS brand straight, their AOS brand razors are manufactured by Dovo. I chose to go w/ a Boker from SRD. My SRD came shave ready as SRD claims so I did not strop before my first shave just so I would know what a properly sharpened straight should feel like. And just remember when you do strop use a very, very, very light hand.

Originally Posted by ReardenSteel

+1 on the advice given so far. Buy new if you want, but if you're not sure you'll stick with it, then I would recommend the classifieds here or Larry at whippeddog. His "Sight Unseen" deals might sound awkward and counterintuitive, but they're a great way to get your toes wet without investing alot of moola. The razors may not be pretty, but they're shave ready. The main thing to remember is there is a learning curve involved with using a straight razor, regardless if you buy a brand new shiny razor or a used/vintage one. If you're are patient and willing to endure the process with the occasional setback, in time you will get the best shaves you could imagine. If you stick with it, trust me, there will be plenty of razors to invest in if your wallet is willing.

This is GREAT ADVICE!!! I second the Motion! While when I started, I sent my Uncles Genco Grant out to be honed and boy was it sharp! I then started buying a couple of 'extras' here at SRP all of them for about $30 delivered. I can personally recommend a nice beginners strop from Eric (Straight Razors for Sale | Straight Razors for Sale) he also has beginners razors and he puts a nice edge on his razors! He's the one that helped me so much when I was a new-newbie!!

Start slow and (cost effective)!! If you like this art, then the options are as open as the heavens!!

Wow! Thanks for all of the information! I think I worded my initial post poorly in terms of 'getting discouraged.' If/when I buy a straight, it'll be something I stick with for a long tme; I'm not one to give up something once I've invested some money into it. That said, since Whipped Dog had been mentioned it to me before I made this post, I did some more looking into it, and I think I've decided to go with the Sight Unseen deal, that way if I ruin the blade by hitting the sink or stropping poorly, etc, I didn't spend too much on it. I know I can always get it re-honed, but somehow, wrecking something worth $55 feels better than wrecking something worth $100+.
Since I live in Newfoundland, we don't have an AoS here, so I was looking at going into Body Shop for shaving soap/balm/etc. I know they're not a specialty store, but I'm pretty sure I've seen some brushes/bowls/creams in there before, and it'll be easier than having to have something shipped. Anyone have any experience with Body Shop items?
Thanks again for the info, everyone!

Anything you buy from AOS,will be very much overpriced,JMO
Body shop has some great deals sometimes on Proraso soaps and creams.