Thread: Razor Review; Ralf Aust 6/8

I hadn't gotten a new razor in a dog's age.... well, maybe not that long, but it had been some time. I've got quite a few so it has to be something that really catches my eye to get me to go for it. Along came Ralf Aust on SRD. I was intrigued that this was a small company in Solingen and I happened to love the blade shape.

I have a mustache that I trim in the Clark Gable style (google it) and a point that extends a bit is ideal for that. The price was half of what a TI would be so the next thing I know there is a package in my mail box. I unpacked it and was impressed with the large hard cardboard box Ralf uses, hearkening back to the vintage days.

The workmanship, grind, fit, finish, etching was flawless. Scales are very nicely done and the razor was snug in the pivot, and centered upon closing. Lynn Abrams had honed it and I wiped off the protective coat of oil and got a hair out of my hair brush. The razor cut HHT all the way from point to heel with my super fine hair.

So now the shave test. Smooth as silk and TBH, I didn't need a second pass but did one anyway. Since I've had this razor I've shaved with it four or five times and only stropped it on leather, maybe 20 to 30 round trips following the shave. That is a subject of another forthcoming thread. Anyway ..... I highly recommend Ralf Aust based on my copy.

Very nice looking Triditional Razor.Love the finish on the blade.

Simple, classic, elegant, thanks for the review.

I got the round point 6/8 and love it as well. Although it had been honed by the same person on the same stones as my 5/8 King Cutter, I was surprised that the feel of the edge was completely different. The fit and finish of the entire blade was extremely nice compared to my Boker and Dovo. I will definitely buy another Ralf Aust! Thank you SRD for offering this line. I hope more models are offered in the future.

Yea, Jimmy I'm with you on this. I have 2 Austs. The first one was when they first came out and that one really needed some serious honing but after that it shaves great but the second I got from SRD was shave ready out of the box. They are great razors however the only thing I take exception to in your review is you're never gonna look like Clark Gable-har har.

A Ralf Aust review was also was on my list, so just let me add something to this one.

I was not sure if it is available in the U.S., but then saw it's been offered on the SRD-page.

I read several good notes about Ralf Aust in a german forum. It's what we call a "Manufaktur". Basicly it seems to be Ralf Aust and his wife running this. So if You call in, You're handed over to Ralf Aust himself. If You send an e-Mail, it will be answered by Ralf Aust - How much more personal can it get.

In the German forum a guy had asked him which steel he uses, who is the smith and he told him. I had an e-Mail-conversation and told him about honing with naniwas, and he answered that he also finishes his razors on naniwas.

He has several kinds of wood and plastic for scales and also several kinds of blades. All razors can be 5/8 or 6/8, round tip, spanish or american. For an extra of 20€, You can also get a beautiful serration on the back. You also have the choice of carbon-steel and stainless-steel.

He has more types of wood available than shown on the website, also the american tip and serration are not shown there (can see it in the intro though). But You can simply write him a mail to order Your fancy razor.

I ordered a 6/8 with a spanish tip and "red palisander" scales. Although I honed mine and gave it an extra touch, it already comes shave ready. As Ralf Aust already finishes on naniva stones, it is very easy honing it.

Very smooth and nice. Love it.

DDTech-
Thanks for your review-
Could you please describe an "American Tip" - I am unfamiliar with that term

Thanks a lot

Originally Posted by Joegags

DDTech- Thanks for your review- Could you please describe an "American Tip" - I am unfamiliar with that term Thanks a lot

I also was until Mr. Aust told me when we spoke about what to order. The american tip is the one shown in his website's intro. Actually the preview-image shows it (look at the post by martin103 a few posts ago). This one also has the serration and is made of "red palisander" (what I ordered), which here appears lighter and with more pores than what I got (luckily).

Just to throw in my .02. I am on my second shave with the ralf aust 5/8, also being my second straight razor shave ( been using a merkur futur for a long time, decided to take the straight razor plunge). I don't own any other str8s, but I agree that it is a quality build and aside from my newbie mistakes, it does shave nice. I bought it from SRD..... man, it's got a wicked sharp edge (meant in a good way)

Jimmy - What kind of scales are those? I'm debating between the 6/8 Spanish Point in Grenadilla or Olive-wood, or amazakoue (since SRD doesn't have any Micarta in the Spanish Point).