Recommendations on a straight razor? [Archive]

Hyrum

08-24-2006, 04:48 PM

Queen of Blades

08-24-2006, 04:53 PM

No recommendations from me. Just wanted to welcome you to B&B!

roughrider

08-24-2006, 05:28 PM

You can pick up some very nice ones on ebay for good prices or you can contact one of the honemeisters at SRP and they can sell you a shave ready razor.

http://www.straightrazorplace.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6759

http://www.straightrazorplace.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6974

Jim

08-24-2006, 05:36 PM

Welcome Hyrum!:biggrin:

Queen of Blades

08-24-2006, 05:50 PM

I found this lovely idea for fogless mirrors for you.

http://jayseae.cxliv.org/2006/04/11/really_fogless_shower_mirror.html

moses

08-24-2006, 06:06 PM

Yeah. Guy I used to kayak with had to wear goggles on the river, and who spit on them to keep the fog off (it's a real problem for WW kayakers with glasses).

Also, I've heard that the rain/for free products for car winshields work pretty well for this.

Hyrum

08-24-2006, 06:11 PM

Thanks for the great replies. Will have to check out those straight razors.

LOL, never considered spit. I suppose that does make sense though not sure I'd want to try it.

Tried the RainX and FogX stuff that are for autos, but didn't have any luck. I'm guessing because there is a plastic piece in front of the actual mirror, the RainX can't do it's trick.

Thanks again for the info & the welcome.

EL Alamein

08-24-2006, 06:29 PM

thestubblefactory

08-25-2006, 08:51 AM

Hello Hyrum,

I recommend Thiers Issard straight razors, the Eagle line (knifecenter.com) or the Wolf and Ram line (Classicshaving.com). They are lead hardened, hand crafted and know no equal in their edge taking abilities. Have it honed by an expert, you won't regret it.

Chris

I second that recommendation. The steel used in a straight razor makes all of the difference in how it performs and how easy it is to hone. However, if you are a really good honemeister you can make the cheapest stainless steel blade perform very well. So I would ask you to re-look at this before you spend major $$$ on some TI's. I would hate for you to come to the same frustration after such a large purchase. Honing and stroping have to be an enjoyable hobby for you and takes a lot of T&E to learn to get it to the zen level- however anyone with enough patience can learn. There are two schools here: the Norton 4000/8000 + strop crowd and the multiple paste on woodbacked leather strops crowd. I kind of use a mix of both. Others that don't have the patience for this but want to use straights can utilize the services of a hone meister like Lynn Abrams (classicshaving.com) or purchase Feather straight disposable razors.

kozulich

08-25-2006, 10:33 AM

I think Dovo and TI both make great straights. My go-to blade is a new old stock french point revisor from http://www.shavingshop.com/index.php
Nothing fancy, but a great blade that holds its edge well. I've got about 1/2 a dozen other straights that I could use, most are antiques and some are quite nice, but for some reason I always come back to the revisor.

Orest

mkamen

08-25-2006, 11:01 AM

I've used a straight razor on and off over the years. The one I have is a cheapo. I don't use it a lot because 1.) Don't always have the time and this is not something to rush :smile: 2.) Because it's a cheapo, it isn't exactly the best shave; even with proper maintenance.

Anyone have an recommendations? I should mention I had a full beard, but I shave around it every day to keep it trim looking. Not sure if that matters.

Thanks for the info.

P.S. no replies to my fogless mirror query. Anyone know if these are worth a go: http://store.clubmanonline.com/showertek.html

I've been using a Feather Artist Club for several months now. I chose it beause I wanted the advantage and shave of a straight, but I didn't want to get involved with the stropping, sharpening, etc that the traditional straight requires. So far, so good.

Good luck

mparker762

08-25-2006, 11:22 AM

...or purchase Feather straight disposable razors.

Keep in mind that the Feather Artist Club doesn't actually shave much like a straight razor. Whether this is an issue is a matter of personal preference. I rarely got a great shave from the Feather, but nearly always get a great shave from a straight. Some people find the opposite is true.

LX_Emergency

08-30-2006, 09:23 AM

I still have a few lying around. Look at my post in the buy sell forum.

gglockner

09-04-2006, 12:01 AM

Since you are only using the straight to trim with, I would suggest a 4/8 width blade. These were originally designed to trim the neck and around the ears, but one can get a great shaves with them. The size makes them ideal for trimming in tight places. The price is typically cheaper than the more popular 6/8 size.

Glen

LX_Emergency

09-04-2006, 06:13 AM

true...you can get a decent NEW Thiers issard at calssicshaving for around $60 if it's 4/8

LX_Emergency

09-04-2006, 06:14 AM

I second that recommendation. The steel used in a straight razor makes all of the difference in how it performs and how easy it is to hone. However, if you are a really good honemeister you can make the cheapest stainless steel blade perform very well. So I would ask you to re-look at this before you spend major $$$ on some TI's. I would hate for you to come to the same frustration after such a large purchase. Honing and stroping have to be an enjoyable hobby for you and takes a lot of T&E to learn to get it to the zen level- however anyone with enough patience can learn. There are two schools here: the Norton 4000/8000 + strop crowd and the multiple paste on woodbacked leather strops crowd. I kind of use a mix of both. Others that don't have the patience for this but want to use straights can utilize the services of a hone meister like Lynn Abrams (classicshaving.com) or purchase Feather straight disposable razors.
I'm part of the third crowd....the Belgian Coticule crowd....I love that stone and it works really well for me.

Jotun

09-08-2006, 09:43 PM

I too am shaving around my beard and mustache in the shower. I have used a mirror similar to the one you linked and it works well for me. FWIW I currently am using M3 and Somersett's Shaving Oil (Original), have tried straight razors too, but never got comfortable shaving the back of my neck with a straight, so went from a disposable to M3. Considering making the switch to (or at least trying) a de again.

Al

mparker762

09-08-2006, 11:22 PM

There's also the Barber Hone crowd, and the "mail it off to Lynn" crowd.

JohnP

09-09-2006, 12:15 AM

What about the crowd I'm in....the kind that starts with one hone, but has to try them all????
I have a Norton 4k/8k (great results, but messy-and you have to use it by the sink....)
Lots of barber's hones....these range the full gamut. Some of them I really like a lot, and others...well...not so much
Belgian coticules-I've several of these; one large yellow coticule, 2 small yellow coticules, and a small Belgian blue coticule...these require patience but do a GREAT job
Spyderco-yes, SPYDERCO....302UF "Ultra Fine" bench hone. Honestly I've heard the grit called 2000 by some but most have lately told me it is around 12K grit. Either way it produces good results for me.
Lynn....I've never sent a razor to him, but the razors I have bought from him (see "SRAD" elsewhere, this site) have been great shavers

So....I guess I'm saying...you could go a number of different directions and still succeed. FWIW while I like TI razors, and have a few nice ones, I am a fan of Dovo razors if one buys new....otherwise look on straightrazorplace.com and buy a honed classic from someone....many of the best razor companies are simply no longer in business, but their products are still around...
hope this helps somehow,
John P.

Ozzie

09-11-2006, 11:39 PM

I also shave exclusively with a straight and if your lokking for a cheap but excelent razor try the following site. www.writerferrer.com. All his razors are old restored and pre sharpened and the most expensive I've seen was $65 US.
They can also hone your razor for about $10 to $15 US.

I highly recommend this guy.

rtaylor61

09-11-2006, 11:42 PM

Ozzie,

You were close! Try this link: http://www.shop.writerferret.com/

Joe Chandler is a well respected member of SRP, and offers fine, ready to shave straights.

Randy

JohnP

09-12-2006, 01:39 AM

I've also heard good things about Joe's work. I know a straight razor is a personal thing, but if it were me....that ERN hand forged 5/8" razor (on his site) with the barber's notch would be what I would go for. I have several ERN's and they are all very good razors.
If you still want a brand new razor, I am very pleased with Dovo. I know I know, TI lead hardens their razors.... and I have several which are great shavers. Dovo cryogenically treats their razors.... and in my opinion shave just as well as TI's, even if perhaps you have to hone twice a year instead of once....
Just a thought to leave you with before I go into hiding from my fellow SRP members find me and burn me as a blasphemer.... :lol:
Good luck with your razor!
John P.

Steelforge

09-12-2006, 02:39 AM

I just bought a Dovo Bismarck from Tony at http://www.thewellshavedgentleman.com/ , he's one of the SRP honemeisters and has a good reputation. Also from the emails we've exchanged he seems like a genuinely nice guy. The razor I bought isn't listed on his website, I just emailed him and asked which other models he could get in on request.

Just waiting for it to arrive now! :drool:

JohnP

09-12-2006, 01:47 PM

I think you'll be pleasantly surprised with that razor....did you take the time to order a strop from him also? his strops are amongst my favorites.
John P.

Joe Lerch

09-12-2006, 02:04 PM

You didn't say anything about what equipment you have or what skill you have. Even if you buy a shave ready razor you'll have to strop it before each shave. Occasionally, that won't be enough to restore the sharpness, so you'll need some kind of finishing hone to refresh the edge.

Do you know what you need to do for traditional str8 shaving?

Somebody pointed out correctly that you could get a Feather str8 and have the convenience of a DE (no stropping or honing, just changing blades). I shave mostly with str8s, including a Feather, but still keep DEs in my rotation. I have to tell you that the Feather is a superiror (much sharper)
str8, and that is why it shaves differently. The difference is that it shaves better, easier, no pressure, no pull. The str8-only guys have gotten so used to it that they don't realize they need to use pressure.

If you insist on a traditional str8 and don't have the required equipment, get a starter kit from Tony (Miller), who's shop is mentioned above. You can also find him on Ebay (Heirphoto).

Steelforge

09-12-2006, 02:25 PM

I think you'll be pleasantly surprised with that razor....did you take the time to order a strop from him also? his strops are amongst my favorites.
John P.

I hope so, I've heard a lot of good things about them. Yes I also ordered one of his premium hanging strops too. They should be arriving any day now. I have Lynn's video and the B&B DVD to learn from, but I'm also going to give Robert (Gentlemans Shop) a call tomorrow to book a straight shave and a lesson for next weekend, well assuming he has time. :smile:

superfly

09-12-2006, 03:01 PM

Lynn's professional video is up for sale at the SRP place. I say you get that too...

Nenad

Jack Bauer

09-12-2006, 04:55 PM

This might be a dumb question but I can't figure this out. If you buy a razor from classic shaving or somewhere else and have it honed how many times will you have to have it honed in a year and do you need to own a hone?

I know that you should strop before every shave. I was just wondering if you could buy a straight and have it honed like once a year if you switched with it and a DE? I am thinking about buying a straight and I read Chris Moss' guide to straight razors. I just didn't see the part mentioning this. I also saw that he said something about honing with a waterstone (or something like that) but I never see any mention of this. Is it not as good?

Let me restate that I am not looking to shave strictly with a straight just alternate with my DE. Thanks.

Chris

Joe Lerch

09-12-2006, 10:42 PM

I was just wondering if you could buy a straight and have it honed like once a year if you switched with it and a DE?You'll need at least a finishing hone. A barber hone, like a Swaty will work.

If you refresh the edge with a fe w swipes on that hone whenever the edge strats pulling a little after stropping. You can avoid serious honing indefinitely. If you do require it you can then send the razor out.

Jack Bauer

09-12-2006, 11:10 PM

You'll need at least a finishing hone. A barber hone, like a Swaty will work.

If you refresh the edge with a fe w swipes on that hone whenever the edge strats pulling a little after stropping. You can avoid serious honing indefinitely. If you do require it you can then send the razor out.

Joe,
Thanks for your help. So theoretically I could buy a razor off of classic shaving (or one of the previously mentioned places) have it professionally honed, buy a Swaty, and buy a strop and I would be good to go? It seems to good to be true, I definitely know what I am getting for my bday.

Chris

Steelforge

09-12-2006, 11:10 PM

Lynn's professional video is up for sale at the SRP place. I say you get that too...
Nenad

Ooh thanks for the tip - order placed. :biggrin:

Joe Lerch

09-13-2006, 05:04 AM

Joe,
Thanks for your help. So theoretically I could buy a razor off of classic shaving (or one of the previously mentioned places) have it professionally honed, buy a Swaty, and buy a strop and I would be good to go? It seems to good to be true, I definitely know what I am getting for my bday.

ChrisRight, but all you could is maintan the razor. Beyond that you would have to have someone else do it. BTW, plenty of men did it that way when str8s were the only way to shave.

mparker762

09-13-2006, 07:32 AM

My great-grandfather apparently had a hanging strop and a "green painted board" that was probably a home-made paddle strop (green paint used chromium oxide in the old days). There was a guy that came around the neighborhood every few weeks to sharpen scissors and razors; he did the heavy honing work if the razor was dull or nicked.

Joe Lerch

09-13-2006, 12:08 PM