Thread: Vintage Vs modern straight razors

I am sure this topic has come up, but as someone new to straight razor shaving, I’m curious about opinions. I started because I inherited a couple of vintage razors, so vintage is all I have used.

I shave with razor's from the late 1700s to the present.

I much prefer the old steel. But I have no problems shaving with all of them, and enjoy a different razor almost every shave.

Originally Posted by Elnones

I am sure this topic has come up, but as someone new to straight razor shaving, I’m curious about opinions. I started because I inherited a couple of vintage razors, so vintage is all I have used.

I do not believe any modern razor will be better than any vintage razor.
Almost all of mine are vintage but I have tried modern ones too when honing for others.

Modern razor is a loose term. A modern razor from a reputable maker. It seems like the fit and finish has fallen off, likely due to staffing issues and the skill set of the staff. The steel is still good, and the treatment of the steel is still good. I think a large percentage of the vintage blades, if they were junk, it would be unlikely anyone would have saved them. I have both new and vintage. All of mine shave well. I like to think that I was very selective in what I bought.

I think that most of your vintage steel is good and shaves very well. I have found that some "modern day" steel has some opportunities, depending on the manufacturer. I'll give you an example - I have a razor made in the 1830's that is probably my best razor. Always great shave. Then I have a modern day DOVO that was made in the 2000's. This one is just okay. It needs constant adjustments and I paid a lot of money for it ($260.00). Then I have a "modern day" Gold dollar 208 that I paid $25.00 for (made in China) that actually shaves better than the DOVO.

What's the secret? I have no clue, but I think it has to do with metallurgy, how it's honed and stropped. The better you get at honing and stropping, the better the shave, as long as you have decent steel to work with.

Funny you should mention GD razors. I think the issue with them is they are so very unpredictable. I have very limited experience but there are several people whom options I highly regard, some have a great one, some have junk ones. If they were consistent it would be easier to form a strong opinion. At this point that’s I don’t really know what to think is as defined as my opinion gets.

I have limited experience here. But I will say my Koraat shaves as close and comfortable as any of my vintage razors. It feels different on the hones and against the skin (not in a bad way), but that's to be expected.

When I hear people say, "they just don't make things like they used to," I submit this point..sure they do. There has always been junk made. You just don't see it now because it got thrown out...because it was junk. Conversely there is good stuff made now but it is expensive and therefore cost prohibitive. Thus you don't see as much of it because most of us can't afford it.

Theoretically the technology and production quality should be better than before. However conditions (which I will not get into) have made workers more concerned with wages than craftsmanship and environmental regulations have made materials and processes off limits. Not that wages or protecting the environment are bad things but for every action there is a reaction.

EDIT: I should add that I have a ton of vintage and a few new and, on average, I find that they seem to perform equally well and poorly.

In our modern times folks accept poor products as the norm and few complain. Back in the day that was not the case. If you bought a razor and there was a problem you got a new one or your money back in an instant no questions asked. Back then people didn't accept shoddy goods like now. Sure some sold junk but those were fly by night salesmen and outfits and if they were caught, well...

There were inexpensive things made back in the day but still they were well made and didn't fall apart soon after purchase like now. Things these days are engineered to last only so long so you have to come back and keep buying them. Think major appliances. Even common items lasted indefinitely.

If you are willing to pay you can get great quality items but few are willing to pay the price. A great example are with DE Razors. You can buy a cheap plastic item or cheap pot metal one or you can buy a Blackland or Wolfman or one of the other quality razors out there.

No different that we associate items made in China as junk however the Chinese can make high quality items but the importers don't want those type of items and let's face it the American Consumer loves Walmart and Target.

I think the new razors can shave just as good as the old ones and some even prefer it. However the fact that there are so many easier options for shaving - demand and competition is not going to be there. There are a few custom builds, and brands other than dovo that make great razors. Also I have shaved with plenty of not so great vintage razors as well. Mostly people are talking about cream of the crop vintage razors when that is what everyone was shaving with.