Reputable Vintage/Antique Straight Razor Sellers?

B

Bobbybirds

Joined
Aug 17, 2012
Messages
180
Hey all,

I am very interested in learning the art of straight razor shaving, and true to most of my hobbies and interests (traditional knives, woodworking etc), I would like to find a really nice quality, antique razor rather than a newer one. I have been checking online and while a lot of stuff seems nice, the prices seem to very massively, and I just don't quite know who to trust and what to believe.

I don't mind paying a fair price for anything, but I don't want to pay hundreds for something that is only worth $30.00, and the prices I see online can climb quickly. That said, I do not mind spending hundreds if what I am getting is worth it. I was hoping some of you experienced fellows could point me in the direction of some quality vendors of whom I could be sure I am not paying an artificially inflated price, but rather a fair price for goods knowing that I would expect to pay a little more for quality and restoration...

Thanks!

Bob
 
That is a tough one.

I would suggest that a $30 razor will need some work before it is shave ready. Just how much work is often a mystery.

There are guys selling shave ready clunkers for the purpose of new guys trying to figure out if straight shaving is for them, but if you want something that looks nice, these are not for you.

Then there are trends in collecting. Certain razors are going for big bucks and others that seem similar in every regard just are not as hot at the moment (I like these value razors BTW).

Razors (vintage) can be tough because a minuscule warp or ripple can make an otherwise great razor a PITA to use and maintain...and these details are sometimes tough to spot.

Honestly, I would seek out sellers that offer 'shave ready' and a good return policy...and pay their price. Either that or buy a decent new razor and learn from it, then use that knowledge to select your ideal vintage razor (and you'll know how to spot issues).

At this point, you might not even know what profile you'll like (straight, smiling, small 4/8, giant 9/8, something in between, wedge, extra hollow, round, French, Spanish, square, shoulderless, stabilizers...the options are many).
 
unit said:
That is a tough one.

I would suggest that a $30 razor will need some work before it is shave ready. Just how much work is often a mystery.

There are guys selling shave ready clunkers for the purpose of new guys trying to figure out if straight shaving is for them, but if you want something that looks nice, these are not for you.

Then there are trends in collecting. Certain razors are going for big bucks and others that seem similar in every regard just are not as hot at the moment (I like these value razors BTW).

Razors (vintage) can be tough because a minuscule warp or ripple can make an otherwise great razor a PITA to use and maintain...and these details are sometimes tough to spot.

Honestly, I would seek out sellers that offer 'shave ready' and a good return policy...and pay their price. Either that or buy a decent new razor and learn from it, then use that knowledge to select your ideal vintage razor (and you'll know how to spot issues).

At this point, you might not even know what profile you'll like (straight, smiling, small 4/8, giant 9/8, something in between, wedge, extra hollow, round, French, Spanish, square, shoulderless, stabilizers...the options are many).
Click to expand...

You are absolutely right in that I am not sure what I might prefer in regards to the profile. Is there a style that is generally considered to be "easier" to learn with? I realize as time goes by, one will develop a preference to certain sizes, styles etc, but is there a good starting point? I am going to sound like a newb here for sure, but what do the 4/8, 9/8 etc indicate? Is is like woodworking where 9/4 would be nine quarters of an inch (blade width instead of thickness of course)?

As for for being collectable, I do love all things related to collecting and have been known to spend too much money on things I don't really "require", but at the same time, I like stuff personally that might not be as valuable but are of exceptional quality none the less, just based on feel, visual appeal, etc, so I guess I am not shutting my doors to anything. I think for a first Razor, if I could stay sub-$200 that would be awesome, but if something just grabs me I am not locked into that, although just like anyone, if the right thing came along at $80 I would be extremely happy! I do want something that is shave ready so I know where I need to be in regards to a wicked edge so in the future if I start going buck wild collecting, as I tend to do. I enjoy sharpening my knives and woodworking tools, so I am not scared to get into it, but having a comparison to begin with works well I find for any edge tool...

I am heading to France on holidays this August so I thought I might look around the Paris flea markets a bit, but I still want to start with a decent tool as my first...
 
Yes 5/8 is the profile and generally 5 or 6/8 is a good place to start. A round point is also a good starting point. Save some budget for a brush and strop.

Keep asking questions and we will keep answering;)

I am starting a page on Facebook that might help also.

Honing is a great thing to learn, but its a bit different from knives and other edges tools. I'd save that swim for later...stick to treading the "learning to shave with a straight" waters for a while;)
 
I understand badger hair is the brush of choice. How about for a strop? I have a wood back horse but strop for my chisels, but I don't know if that is decently usable for razors but all the barber type strops I have seen are not backed.
 
Backed strops are fine. It's a preference thing, really. However, razor edges are very delicate. I refuse to use my razor strops for anything else because I do not want strop contamination.

Compounds are sometimes used for edge maintenance, but not as a daily strop. You may want a dedicated strop for shaving as you will probably want it in the bathroom with you (I like to strop immediately before bringing the blade to my face).

There are many thoughts and theories about types of leather. I feel that refining stropping technique is more important than the type of leather. Obviously you don't want substandard leather though (I'm just of the mind that a $40 strop with good technique, is far better than a $100 strop with poor technique).
 
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