New wet shaver on the lookout for good starter straight razor

**nmg82** · 03-03-2009, 06:33 AM

Well, I have been wet shaving with DE razors for about 3 months now. I'm absolutely in love with it. I love the DE razors and the shaves they produce. I'm still learning the technique and art of lathering and shaving. It is a very enjoyable hobby, and like any hobby, I want to eventually expand my experiences. Well, I am going to start looking into straight razors, and eventually work up to maybe even shaving with one. I would like some purchasing advise from you guys that have some experience and knowledge with them. Can you recommend a good straight razor for me to start with that doesn't break the bank account? I know that, generally speaking, straight razors cost much more than DE's. I am going to shop around at some good antique shops this weekend that I know have straight razors. Anything to keep an eye out for when trying to find one that's usable? Thanks for the help!

**leighton** · 03-03-2009, 10:50 AM

Anything from the BST forum. Dovo and TI are solid performers and good quality.

I hear, don't know, that wapis and DAs are good shavers.

edit: Unless you have razor hones, your going to need to send the old razor to a honemeister. Look for pitting, rust, blade nicks, pin tightness, scale damage...

**meglad** · 03-03-2009, 01:11 PM

I've seen several razors in antiques shops around town, shouldn't be difficult to pick up a nice one

**St.James G8** · 03-09-2009, 02:49 PM

For me, the real question is, "What am I looking for in a nice razor?" There are a million of them out there. Especially on ebay, but how do I know if I'm getting a decent razor at a good price or a useless razor at a ridiculous price?

**mdunn** · 03-09-2009, 03:13 PM

Originally Posted by St.James G8

For me, the real question is, "What am I looking for in a nice razor?" There are a million of them out there. Especially on ebay, but how do I know if I'm getting a decent razor at a good price or a useless razor at a ridiculous price?

the bst!

youre looking for a nice clean sharp edge, everything else is gravy. you can pick up a great straight for like $30 on the bst generally. It might be a bit of an ugly duckling, but it will shave as well as a fancy one with ivory scales.

**leighton** · 03-09-2009, 03:37 PM

Originally Posted by meglad

I've seen several razors in antiques shops around town, shouldn't be difficult to pick up a nice one

Do you know how to hone? If not, I highly recommend against the antique shops. The blade may be sharp, but its not shave ready. But it might be. So...its a crap shoot honestly.

edit: I sound mean. I'm just trying to steer new straight users in the right direction. No matter what razor you buy, unless it says shave ready, chances are it will not be. Yes, I have bought some blades off ebay that say "almost shave ready, but I'll mark it as no" that actually are shave ready. But they weren't really, and I had to polish the edge, but they were better than most factory finishes I've seen. Ok, going off on a tangent. The point is, whatever you buy, make sure it says "shave ready" from a reputable source. I would say 99% of the sellers on this forum or SRP know what shave ready means and will stand behind what they sell. So if for some reason it isn't shave ready, they will probably take it back or hone it up so it is.

Vendors... no personal experience, but if they offer honing services and they sell "shave ready" blades, and you like their offering, go for it.

**Dave_D** · 03-09-2009, 04:35 PM

Antique shop blades can be wonderful discoverys if they are in good shape and priced right. In regards to sharpness, many brand new razors (and that would mean - most) are not going to shave very well out of the box.

Either way, the blade will probably need to be honed - vintage or new and I'd just as soon have vintage.

**St.James G8** · 03-09-2009, 08:26 PM

Newb question - whats bst?

Oh wait, buy sell trade....

**JimBow** · 03-09-2009, 08:40 PM

Originally Posted by St.James G8

Newb question - whats bst?

Oh wait, buy sell trade....

There ya go!

Welcome to B&B by the way!

**Disburden** · 03-10-2009, 12:54 PM

You can also send anything you buy that needs honing to one of the hone meisters at straightrazorplace.com to get the blade worked on. They're all pretty awesome at honing. Lynn being the best of the best. He's been doing it for 35 years.

**DBLE ARROW BLADE** · 03-10-2009, 01:28 PM

I got a Double Arrow from ken at ruprazor.

It is a very nice blade, comes shave ready and coated Tuf-Glide

I think it was around $45 with shipping

It's worked great for me as a starter