I'm looking to buy my first real straight razor. I have been using a mora 511 sharpened so that i can cut free hanging hair and its been doing a good job but I figured why not try a real razor. I have been considering both cheap and expensive razors and to be honest I cant figure out where to even start shopping. I have a fear of diseases(I'm a bit of a hypercondriac) so used razors are out of the question. are there huge differences in a 5-10 dollar razor vs a 80-150dollar vs a 300+dollar one? The only name brand i really see out there is DOVO. is this pretty much the be all end all?
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looking to buy my first razor, advice?
- Thread starter eccvets
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- Dec 4, 2006
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I haven't been paying real close attention to the market recently, but the main manufacterers are Dovo and Thiers-Issard. Boker re-entered the market a few years ago. You may find some Henckels also. I wouldn't use any new razor that cost $5-$10. At that price it's probably a POS from Pakistan. I don't think there's a huge leap in shaving ability between a $150 razor and a $300+ razor. Yes, the $300+ razor is probably better, but I don't think it's going to be twice as good. How well the razor is honed (and good steel) makes all the difference.
You might want to reconsider a vintage razor that has been restored. My best shavers are old razors that have been brought back to life. They have more character, are easier to sharpen, and provide super smooth shaves. If the razor has been washed, sanded, polished, and hasn't been used recently, no germs will survive. I don't think "bugs" can live more than a couple of weeks sitting on steel.
Anyway, I've had good experiences with straightrazordesigns.com, shavingshop.com and vintagebladesllc.com. You can call them and I'm sure they will be happy to help you make a selection. Good luck and enjoy.
Jordan
You might want to reconsider a vintage razor that has been restored. My best shavers are old razors that have been brought back to life. They have more character, are easier to sharpen, and provide super smooth shaves. If the razor has been washed, sanded, polished, and hasn't been used recently, no germs will survive. I don't think "bugs" can live more than a couple of weeks sitting on steel.
Anyway, I've had good experiences with straightrazordesigns.com, shavingshop.com and vintagebladesllc.com. You can call them and I'm sure they will be happy to help you make a selection. Good luck and enjoy.
Jordan
- Joined
- Apr 2, 2011
- Messages
- 1,140
I have found some awesome straight razors at my local antique shops (like jnich67 said, vintage razors are awesome)
any vintage razor made in the US, Germany, or English
as for the bug thing as jnich said, i doubt it will last that long, but if you are still worried, you can easily dip the blade in rubbing alcohol (like first aid antibacterial) or barbercide and that will kill basically anything that you could be worried about
anther plus to a vitange razor is the price, i can usually find a good razor for 20 or less (i usually wont pay more than that unless it is new old stock or something very special)
then you can just have it professionally honed and you can most likely get a razor that is just as good if not much better than current made razors
either way, good luck with it all
also, are you using a shave brush and soap?
oh, and as for 5-10 dollar razors, it is pakistani POS or used and could be a decent razor
any vintage razor made in the US, Germany, or English
as for the bug thing as jnich said, i doubt it will last that long, but if you are still worried, you can easily dip the blade in rubbing alcohol (like first aid antibacterial) or barbercide and that will kill basically anything that you could be worried about
anther plus to a vitange razor is the price, i can usually find a good razor for 20 or less (i usually wont pay more than that unless it is new old stock or something very special)
then you can just have it professionally honed and you can most likely get a razor that is just as good if not much better than current made razors
either way, good luck with it all
also, are you using a shave brush and soap?
oh, and as for 5-10 dollar razors, it is pakistani POS or used and could be a decent razor
There is just as big a selection of razors out there as there are knives. You can spend as much or as little as you want to. Most cheap razors don't stay sharp as long and some are extremely difficult to get a really good edge on. You don't need to spend this much to get a good razor but I really like these Hart Razors http://www.classicshaving.com/Hart_Steel.html They are made out of O-1, come sharp, and really hold a great edge for what seems like forever.
You can get a good razor for less but I am super happy with the two Harts I have.
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2011
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- 3,685
AEB-L is a great razor steel. check out Phillip Dobson in Butte, MT, 360 621 2389, he makes some real nice pieces. He is making me one with a damascus frame, mammoth tooth inlay and AEB-L blade. He has them avail in all price ranges. cheers, Kris
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2005
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just a thought you could buy a feather DX, they are the sharpest razors out there from what i know and designed so that they can be completley sterilized, and of course there is no stroping required 