Flea Market This Weekend

[andrewinman]

The flea market is coming to town this weekend. If I see a nice straight there should I buy? If I do buy what should I watch out for? I hope someone has some experience in this. Oh and I do not have a real straight yet just been using a cheap hair shaper for about 2 weeks but I really like it so far. Oh and should I be able to use a straight if I can shave with the hair shaper? Please help!

[kestrel]

andrew

The hairshaper is a pretty good introduction to the straight razor, but bear in mind that a real straight is longerr and heavier and so will handle differently.
As for flea market razors, basically look for chipping and corrosion in the edges and excessive wear from honing. Also look for place of origin; if it's from Solingen or Sheffield it will at least have started life as a decent razor. If it looks OK and is under $20, go ahead and take a flyer, but any more than that you should probably pass your first time out. In any case don't spend more than you can afford to lose.

Best Regards

Graham