Thread: buying a razor

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

Originally Posted by rtaylor61

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

I agree 100% You will be getting a good razor at a fair price.

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

Originally Posted by coully

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.

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,

Originally Posted by randydance062449

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 wirey
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,

Originally Posted by coully

1.In reply I have an average growth which is not too wirey
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