Affordable yet beautiful?

**zamanakhan** · 03-26-2011, 01:14 PM

i am starting to put away some $$$ for the summer for a straight purchase. Right now iam considering the dovo micarta, i think that type of steel looks awesome. Or a Damascus steel razor, Or possibly a TI with a really decorated spine. Any thing that looks great and IS great under the $200 mark? I love damascus steel, i was looking at the zowada gallery at classic shaving but no prices are listed and i have a feeling they are well above my range :(

**raccoonandbrush** · 03-26-2011, 02:45 PM

The Dovo Micarta is a nice looking razor. I call it the Zebra razor.

**mdunn** · 03-26-2011, 02:57 PM

Unfortunately, you won't get damascus from anyone for 200.

Look maybe a some ti razors, as they can be very sexy, or the dovo you mention looks awesome (though ive not shaved with it, so cant comment too much) Else score a cool older razor here in the BST.

**pup22** · 03-26-2011, 03:00 PM

Check out some Hinkels razors with custom scales. The spines tend to be very ornate on several of them.

http://www.shavingshop.com/index.php?category=73

May just be slightly beyond the 200 dollar mark, though

**PapaFish** · 03-26-2011, 05:13 PM

I contacted Classic Shaving and asked about Tim Zowada's razors. This is what they said:

Thank you for your interest in ClassicShaving.com and our products.

The Zowada razors start at about $900.00 and go up from there. The wait time is 1 – 2 years.

We will be happy to add you to the waiting list if you would like.

Needless to say, I am not on their waiting list... Hope this helps.

**johnmrson** · 03-26-2011, 06:32 PM

New Damascus razors start at around $1000. Zowada Damascus razors start at around $1500. The cheapest I've seen a pre-owned one is $400 but they're very rare.
My advise would be to look around for a nice pre-owned high end carbon razor. I recently picked up a beautiful vintage Le Grelot 6/8 with a very ornate spine for about $130.

**maxman** · 03-26-2011, 06:43 PM

There are some really nice offerings from TI if you're looking for decorated spines. Yes, you'll need to save up a penny or two for those.
Don't even bother looking at customs. The wait lists are very long.

**Easttexasman** · 03-26-2011, 07:05 PM

Those Revisor razors look pretty good to me and most of them are under the $200 mark.I have never seem a complaint on there quality.
I want one of the shoulderless ones.

Paul

**zamanakhan** · 03-26-2011, 07:20 PM

holy crap didnt realize they are so exp, i am not at the financial point currently to ecen bother with that. i think $300 is the most i can go. Looks like iam gonna swing for a dovo micarta in ivory or a decorated TI. Its not the scales so much but the blade itself that i want to look good. I am also thinking about the bismark dovo the gold wash kinda scares me as it might wear off in years and idont want to use the tape everytime to hone.

**Harvitz81** · 03-26-2011, 07:37 PM

For $200 I would actually find yourself a fully restored or Mint DD Satinedge/Goldedge or a Otto Deutsch Hans. IME these will outperform any of the new Dovo offerings.

Then again - I'm all about vintage razors. The TI Le Grelot razors are also excellent razors, though I think they are a bit overpriced as you can score vintage hospital Le Grelots for much less.

Also watch BST as many beautiful razors end up on there for a lot less than you'd pay for a new one.

Check out revisor's website also as they have a section of NOS razors from many solingen makers that are all mostly under $200.

**maxman** · 03-26-2011, 07:44 PM

Originally Posted by Harvitz81

For $200 I would actually find yourself a fully restored or Mint DD Satinedge/Goldedge or a Otto Deutsch Hans. IME these will outperform any of the new Dovo offerings.

Then again - I'm all about vintage razors. The TI Le Grelot razors are also excellent razors, though I think they are a bit overpriced as you can score vintage hospital Le Grelots for much less.

Also watch BST as many beautiful razors end up on there for a lot less than you'd pay for a new one.

Check out revisor's website also as they have a section of NOS razors from many solingen makers that are all mostly under $200.

+1 on Revisor. They are beauties. I'm not so impressed with the Dovo's anymore. Not when you see what's out there in comparison. Has anyone mentioned buying a vintage and restoring it?
That's a very popular thing around here these days.

**zamanakhan** · 03-26-2011, 08:00 PM

where is the revisor site? also any idea if spines can be decorated with a new razor?

**Code** · 03-26-2011, 08:05 PM

I have 4 new TI's: Le Grelot, Festonne, and 2 SE's. All very nice.

I would rather have a nice vintage restored by Max.
http://www.madaspenhome.com/straight...harpening.html

His work is flawless.

Have a look at his gallery.

Regards,

Code