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i have the possibility of buying a razor in the next few days and have viewed billysblades as recommended to me by one of the experienced members of the forum, before i do i have a small budget and would like advice on a good razor as this is to be a gift to me so i want to make a good informed choice as my others have been so poor. so gents please feel free to give me all the advice you can and the route I should take, id like to do it before the rush of Xmas post.
Thanks in advance coully :)
Lots of choice if you are buying new. Be aware though that most new razors are NOT shave ready right out of the box and will need time on either a hone or a pasted strop.
Billys Blades has some nice stuff and he may well have them shave ready, you would need to ask. I sell Fromm razors which are basic looking but made from good steel and take a keen edge. I also sell Hen ad Rooster which are fancier. I hone all that I sell at no additional cost.
For the biggest choice though go to www.classicshaving.com. Ray has lots of nice Dovo and Thiers -Issard razors many starting at very fair prices. These will need sharpening though and he has a service for that.
Tony Miller
If I were starting over, my first razor would come from one of the members here. Period. As is stands I have now done so, and have a few "project" razors to work with. Guess all's well that end's well!
RT
Quote:
Originally Posted by rtaylor61
I agree 100% You will be getting a good razor at a fair price.:cool:
You can't go wrong buying from any of the members here. Take a good look at Bill's blades on his web site, and Lynn I believe still has a number available on his page in the users gallery.
i am thinking of billys blades because of your advice and because of my budget, i think on his site he gets them shave ready , i want to wait for a bit before i buy brand new get some experience at keeping an edge as it can be quite exspensive i think if i screw up a good quality edge and the guys here who sharpen are a bit far away to send my razor to if i need it quick,but I accept advice freely and appreciate the help
Thanks guys
Sounds to me that you are thinking str8. I can personally recommend Billy's Blades and I don't believe anyone here would steer you wrong.Quote:
Originally Posted by coully
If you would give us some info we can give you some additional direction.
1. Do you have a light, average, thick or wirey beard?
2. What equipment do you already have? Strop, paddle strop, hone, abrasive pastes, brush, soap etc?
3. What are you using to shave with now? Atra, double edge, straight razor, disposable blade straight razor?
Let us know,:)
1.In reply I have an average growth which is not too wireyQuote:
Originally Posted by randydance062449
2.At the moment I have a strop,paste and i am using a brush,with ok soap, shaving oil and Nivea aftershave balm after the event
3.At the moment i am using straight type razor with a removable blade on i bought on ebay that actually has given me a little practice.
Id like to know what size and type of razor i should lean toward or do i just buy one and and take if from there.....
Thanks guys
1.With an average beard you can use most any size razor from 4/8ths width on up. Historically the most common size is 5/8ths". A lot of guys on this forum like a 6/8ths" wide blade.
2. It seems like you have the necessary equipment. However, I need to ask, what kind of paste are you referring to. A strop conditioning paste or an abrasive paste?
You will need some sort of abrasive paste or a fine hone to maintain the edge of your razor.
3. Good, now you have an idea of what it takes to shave with a straight razor. The transition should not be to difficult.
You mentioned Billys blades as a source for a razor. Thats a good choice.
Just be sure to have him hone it for you. I think he charges $10 for that service.
Hope this helps,:)
Quote:
Originally Posted by coully
I'm really torn on this one. On the one hand there's nothing like getting and shaving with a brand new quality razor its like putting on a brand new pair of cowboy boots, just makes you feel good all over. On the other hand as a newby buying from one of the regulars here will get you a shave ready razor and you can concentrate on honing your shaving skills instead of worrying about honing your new razor and immediately having to buy hones and all that stuff.
Another thing is that though most new razors need honing to bring them to full potential many still do give a very good shave out of the box (blasphemy). In my experience the Dovo's less so but I have several TI's I got new and they all ranged from quite good to excellent out of the box with the exception of the Damascus.
But I guess if I was in your position for my first razor knowing what i know now I would lean towards getting one from one of the honemeisters here.
Only own one 'new' razor. I like it, but I'm still trying to tweak it to get it up to par with a couple of my other razors. Among other reasons, I got into this sport/hobby/obsession, in part because of the history and tradition. When I pick up a vintage blade I feel conected to the past glory days of shaving ;) . In the same way, when I bring back a tired old razor from the brink, I feel that I've done some small part in preserving that history--plus I get to use a 'new' really cool old tool. So, obviously, I lean toward 'vintage' blades. That said, I can't wait until I can scrape enough money together to buy one of the Meistro's razors :rolleyes: ;) :cool:
I use only antique blades as well even though I was eyeing the new razors for my first purchase. The older blades are every bit as good as I wanted my razor to be and cheaper, honed from the members here. THat's all the right things in the same basket. Plus, I don't much like the gold leafing on many of the new razors.
The only razors I currently own are brand new. I have three, I'll call vintage only because they're old but not popular models, razors I received from my Grandfather I'm going to practice my honing skills. It works out nice because one of the three is a s/s blade so I get to practice putting an edge on a toughy.
What I do want to do is put a vintage razor into my daily rotation. Should I start looking on ePray or should I set up a post in the "classifieds" here on SRP and perhaps buy one from another member?
Jeff
I recommend the latter: check out Bill Ellis' site, Lynn et. al. in the user galleryQuote:
Originally Posted by str8rzrshvr
Best,
Mark
I think I'll be much more comfortable buying from a member here than on the "Bay". I know a lot of folks purchase from sellers out there, but I place importance, maybe too much, on peace of mind when I purchase things. Thanks, Mark, that's what I'll do.
Jeff
Yeah, plus I figure I'd rather put some dough in one of my fellow SRP'ers pockets than someone I don't know. These guys here are like buddies, y'know?Quote:
Originally Posted by str8rzrshvr
I agree Mark. Plus, I know I'll be getting a quality razor.
To quote a famous American...
"Life, and eBay, are like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're going to get." Gorrest Fump.