Thread: 1st str8

Hi all,

Brand new member to this site. I've been enjoying this hobby of wetshaving for about 5 months now and have always wanted to shave with a straight razor but never had the guts to try...

Was wondering if there was a particular razor(s) that you would recommend for a 1st time straight blade shaver. I would like to find one that is ready to shave with and would prefer not to spend a lot of money right off the bat.

Just am afraid of slicing my throat and having to sharpen and hone and all that. I've thought about a Feather but seeing that they are extremely sharp....I should probably start with a traditional blade.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Patrick

Originally Posted by ponyplayer

Hi all,

Brand new member to this site. I've been enjoying this hobby of wetshaving for about 5 months now and have always wanted to shave with a straight razor but never had the guts to try...

Was wondering if there was a particular razor(s) that you would recommend for a 1st time straight blade shaver. I would like to find one that is ready to shave with and would prefer not to spend a lot of money right off the bat.

Just am afraid of slicing my throat and having to sharpen and hone and all that. I've thought about a Feather but seeing that they are extremely sharp....I should probably start with a traditional blade.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Patrick

Is $24 too much?

Hi Patrick,

I'd highly recommend checking out Bill Ellis's website. He's got quite a wide selection of expertly restored used straights for sale. For only 10 USD more than the listed price he'll make them shave ready sharp.

http://www.billysblades.com/Straighr%20Razors.htm

Lynn, the honemeister extraordinaire, I believe still has some good shavers available for sale too. Also highly recommended. Randy Tuttle is also offering a nice look'n NOS beginner's straight razor. See the classifieds.

Good luck.

Hal

This is the ONLY logical place to get a first razor. Get a micropsope at RadioShack too. Look at the blade when it gets there. If its not sharp enough or you screw it up stropping incorrectly some of these guys will sharpen it for you AGAIN. Its crazy what they will do for you if your a member and polite. Sending one of these guys $5-10 extra bucks with any razor you buy from them would be a huge investment. They take a wierd sort of pride in their blades. Keep in mind any other razor you buy will either be really nice and you'll screw it up, just because of inexperience, or it'll be really cheap and probably be a poor blade no matter what you do. If you do try and buy your own, read a lot first. Some blades suck! Buy from a member here and you'll almost certain to get a good razor. Buy from a honemiester and you'll probably get something near priceless. They are really putting their rep on the line sending these hyper-perfect blades to newbies. You could easily mess it up and say it isn't very sharp inaccurately, not that we would believe you, but you get the idea.

The razor I bought from Lynn (adjustme69) has consistently always honed up better than many others because it was done right the first time. I have honed that bad boy shameless but it is still easy because of his initial work. That has been very useful in my learning curve.