Need Some Razor Advice

Hi All,

I've been using a straight razor for a few months now and I'm wanting to try out a different razor.

Currently I have a Boker Stainless Steel and I want to try something with a heavier grind to experiment.

Originally I was thinking about getting a Thiers Issard Crown Wing, since it is 1/4 hallow and looks pretty cool.

It is also pretty pricey, so I was also considering getting one of the x-thick grind Thiers Issard Spartacus razors from Invisible Edge and a second razor like a Wacker 1/4 hallow/wedge or a Hart.

Will these be too similar, is there a different combo that would be better to try, should I just go with the Crown Wing?

What do you guys think?

Welcome to SRP!
Experimentation is a pretty word for "RAD" Buy the razor you want , which sounds like the Crown Wing. over time you will want them all.

i would though first suggest a sampling of vintage blades, often they are less expensive than the new ones and the come in a much wider variety of grinds and sizes and you will want to try them all eventually.

Right now i am generally using a vintage 5/8 full hollow spike point but at least once a week a 7/8 or larger 1/4 hollow vintage or custom in all honesty is get the same finished product a great shave. the hollows are just noisier.

maybe you can find other SR users near you and swap razors betwenn yourselves.

enjoy,
jim

I've shaved with everything from full hollows to near wedges, from 4/8 to 23/8 and still haven't developed a preference. I still like my Feather SS a lot. Heck, I just like shaving. I wish I was two-faced.

It really is a personal preference thing. I like heavier grinds better than full hollows myself but it took a whole lot of trying different razors for me to come to that conclusion. I still shave with full hollows sometimes because I have them and some of them are real good. Variety is the spice of life.

You haven't told us where you are - maybe you could edit your profile to reflect this.

One easy way to experiment is to meet up a local member who may let you try various grinds and sizes to let you see how you like them.

I just lent a 7/8 full hollow to a local member and he found it very different to use - but liked the shave

Do you guys think the x-thick grind TI will be a lot different than a Wacker or Hart? I'm kind of leaning towards getting two different razors, but would like them to be a bit different.

I also updated my location info.

Thanks for the help.

My recommendation is to go with the Hart. Whether you get the 6/8 or 7/8, you'll see what a heavier grind it like, and they are great razors and fantastic shavers. Then, if your budget allows, go for the TI. They also are incredible shavers. Good luck.

I ended up getting a TI Spartacus with an x-thick grind and a Hart Not a Replica. I'll let you know how they shave when I get them.

Has anyone gotten a Hart Not a Replica? Will I need to have it honed, or is the Hart factory hone pretty much shave ready?

Thanks for the help everyone.

Assume it will need to be honed and be surprised if it doesn't.

My Hart needed honing but it was pretty close out of the box.

My "Not a Replica" needed to be honed. I just got it back from SRD on Saturday. Shaved with it after Lynn or Don honed it. It now shaved quite differently. It is now truly "Shave Ready."

My "Not a Replica" razor didn't come shave ready either and I had to hone it up. Shave's great now.

If you want something heavier I would suggest a Revisor 7/8 or 8/8. They are pretty big blades and shave extremely well for the price.

I will plan to get it honed then.

Suit, thanks for the recommendation. I'll take a look at those. I'm sure my RAD will strike again.