Thread: What Do You Look For in a New Razor?

I ask this because I've just seen a really nice Joseph Rogers; lightly ground, barber's notch, bone scales...everything that I really like that would make me want to throw my money at it. Except that the spine has heavy hone wear and, for some reason, that makes me think twice about it. About how much I'd be willing to pay; about whether I'd be happy with it's condition, despite it being a lovely razor.

Indirectly, I suppose I'm looking for some kind of justification as to whether I should take it or leave it, but I know that I'm the only one who can answer that.

It did make me think though, what does everybody else look for when you're buying a razor? What are the things you like and dislike, what little things do you keep a special eye out for, and what are the things that you find niggle at you and stop you from buying an otherwise good razor?

http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...eb-2011-a.html

I did that thread some time ago

And there I thought I was being original, or something.

Read this til yer eyes bleed, then if you are still on the fence, post a pic of the blade if you can. Don't ask if it's worth the money, b/c that's all subjective to the interested party, but post the pic with questions about it like: does the temper look ok, is the grind looking uneven, what are you guys opinions on the condition yada yada yada.

Read that thread, which I found useful actually! I reckon that my post may still have some use though—I think it would be nice to hear people's personal preferences when it comes to razor buying.

Aside from that, I'd like your opinion, if I may. You said that you don't go for anything with more than 1mm of hone wear. Now it's not the easiest photo to see but what would be your opinion of this hone wear?



Of course, I know better that to ask what people think it's worth—that's going to be different for everyone. I know, though, that I'm very fussy about things but do you think that's excessive wear or am I being unnecessarily picky?

I really enjoy bone scales.. I think they look great. I also find myself checking out new SR versus vintage SR... TI has a couple that i really enjoy.. Just need to save my pennies for those guys lol

No issues that I see with the Hone wear along the spine, looks nice and even, as well as the edge matching it...

Nothing funky going on with the edge or spine "That I can see in the pic" I would also guess that the razor was restored, I am looking at the scratch lines going from Heel to Toe

Originally Posted by gssixgun

I would also guess that the razor was restored, I am looking at the scratch lines going from Heel to Toe

"Restored" razors are sometimes a bit of a red flag depending on the restorer's skills of course.

Solid metal. That is my primary concern these days. My personal preference is for hollow ground razors, so that's usually a consideration as well.

And no, you are not being unecessarily picky. Always buy the best you can afford. There's no red flags on that razor that I see. I do think it's been restored. Do you want a restored razor? Or does that matter to you? Only you can decide.


If it's shave ready, it'll be a cinch to keep it that way. So no worries there. Although I'd think twice about buying a half hollow razor that wasn't already shave ready...time consuming buggers.

Spine wear..ditto Gssixgun's post.

It's a vintage razor that I would assume has been restored. It's not shave ready but I kinda like the challenge (of honing...not shaving with a dull razor, of course).

I think I'll keep an eye on it for a bit before making a decision. There was one very similar the other week, except with less wear. I was silly not to have bid for it!