Difference between revisions of "Purchasing straight razors"
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<br>Choosing a razor is a matter of personal preference. If you must have a brand new razor the quality choices are limited to the three main major current manufacturers: Dovo, Thiers-Issard, and Böker; as well as the custom razor makers. There is also the Chinese made Gold Dollar and the razors currently made by Giesen & Forsthoff, which are of a somewhat lower quality, but usually can be made to shave. A brand new razor will still have to be honed. <br>Fortunately there are many vintage razors which would often be of equal or even better quality than the current production and they will generally cost significantly less. The best place to find one is the Classifieds section of SRP. Most often the razors there are honed and shave-tested by the seller, and this is noted in the ad, but when in doubt you can always ask. <br>Newbie’s are strongly discouraged from purchasing vintage razors on eBay because they do not have the experience to evaluate the condition of the razor - in most cases the pictures on eBay do not provide enough details, and even when they do, a newbie generally doesn't know what is important and what isn't. <br>Nevertheless there are some razors that should be avoided, and even though every purchase is a risk there are a few popular vintage brands that are generally good. <br>You can find detailed descriptions of hundreds of new and vintage razors in our Straight Razor Database (SRDB). <br> <br> | <br>Choosing a razor is a matter of personal preference. If you must have a brand new razor the quality choices are limited to the three main major current manufacturers: Dovo, Thiers-Issard, and Böker; as well as the custom razor makers. There is also the Chinese made Gold Dollar and the razors currently made by Giesen & Forsthoff, which are of a somewhat lower quality, but usually can be made to shave. A brand new razor will still have to be honed. <br>Fortunately there are many vintage razors which would often be of equal or even better quality than the current production and they will generally cost significantly less. The best place to find one is the Classifieds section of SRP. Most often the razors there are honed and shave-tested by the seller, and this is noted in the ad, but when in doubt you can always ask. <br>Newbie’s are strongly discouraged from purchasing vintage razors on eBay because they do not have the experience to evaluate the condition of the razor - in most cases the pictures on eBay do not provide enough details, and even when they do, a newbie generally doesn't know what is important and what isn't. <br>Nevertheless there are some razors that should be avoided, and even though every purchase is a risk there are a few popular vintage brands that are generally good. <br>You can find detailed descriptions of hundreds of new and vintage razors in our Straight Razor Database (SRDB). <br> <br> | ||
| − | === Shopping for that first razor. === | + | === Shopping for that first razor. === |
| − | <br> | + | Resist the urge to buy a fancy model. Experience has shown that almost any beginner will dull it while stropping, damage the edge when hitting a tap, or simply drop the razor.<br> Resist the urge to buy from an auction site. For starters, you will not be able to tell whether a razor is the condition described by the seller. Defects can be slight but fatal. Even if the razor is in excellent condition, chances are you will pay considerably more than the current going rate. Good razors on eBay are rare, and the experienced users will spot, and snipe, them very quickly. <br> |
| + | |||
| + | Stick to what is recommended in the FAQ. A larger, heavier, stiffer razor will be easier for you to use in the beginning. You will find watching your maneuvers easier, as well as keeping it flat while stropping.<br> Whether you buy new or from the Classifieds, buy for function, not looks. A beaten up vintage, honed by a professional, will likely out shave a new production razor in any event.<br> Two razors are better than one. Get both in shave ready state, and keep one for comparison purposes. If unsure whether your shaving razor is actually shave ready, consult the edge of the spare one.<br> | ||
| + | |||
| + | When buying from a reputable source, learn to live with the fact that the razor is shave ready despite your personal disagreement with that verdict. It is tempting to blame initial frustrating experiences on the blade, but in most cases, it is lack of technique, or preparation.<br> When buying from the Classifieds, make sure you understand the significance of the ad, some crucial points:<br> Can I trust the seller? | ||
| + | |||
| + | While the Classifieds offer a higher success rate for inexperienced buyers than antique markets or online auction stores, it is eventually up to you and the seller whether you will consider the purchase a success.<br> Make sure you buy from an experienced member, preferably one who is also known to be good at honing. The interpretations of "shave readiness" vary, and unless the seller has honed, and used, a good number of razors, his verdict may be much different from yours.<br> The devil is in the details. As a beginner, you will not be able to adequately assess whether "some hone wear" is not much of a problem, or a death warrant for a razor. "Blemishes" may be easy to fix for an experienced shaver, but may equally easily ruin your shaving experience right from the start.<br> Sterilizing a razor is always a good idea, as long as you understand the risks to the razor associated therewith.<br> Buy mineral oil, and use it. At least once a week, some beginner comes in here drowned in tears because his razor has developed rust spots. Even stainless steel will stain; it just takes an hour more.<br> | ||
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| + | <br> | ||
=== What to look for === | === What to look for === | ||
Revision as of 00:30, 18 June 2013
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Contents
Introduction
Often questions are asked in regard to purchasing straight razors. Members of Straight Razor Place have provided answers to some of the most often asked questions. Enjoy the read and many thanks to the members who contributed to this page.
Choosing a razor.
Choosing a razor is a matter of personal preference. If you must have a brand new razor the quality choices are limited to the three main major current manufacturers: Dovo, Thiers-Issard, and Böker; as well as the custom razor makers. There is also the Chinese made Gold Dollar and the razors currently made by Giesen & Forsthoff, which are of a somewhat lower quality, but usually can be made to shave. A brand new razor will still have to be honed.
Fortunately there are many vintage razors which would often be of equal or even better quality than the current production and they will generally cost significantly less. The best place to find one is the Classifieds section of SRP. Most often the razors there are honed and shave-tested by the seller, and this is noted in the ad, but when in doubt you can always ask.
Newbie’s are strongly discouraged from purchasing vintage razors on eBay because they do not have the experience to evaluate the condition of the razor - in most cases the pictures on eBay do not provide enough details, and even when they do, a newbie generally doesn't know what is important and what isn't.
Nevertheless there are some razors that should be avoided, and even though every purchase is a risk there are a few popular vintage brands that are generally good.
You can find detailed descriptions of hundreds of new and vintage razors in our Straight Razor Database (SRDB).
Shopping for that first razor.
Resist the urge to buy a fancy model. Experience has shown that almost any beginner will dull it while stropping, damage the edge when hitting a tap, or simply drop the razor.
Resist the urge to buy from an auction site. For starters, you will not be able to tell whether a razor is the condition described by the seller. Defects can be slight but fatal. Even if the razor is in excellent condition, chances are you will pay considerably more than the current going rate. Good razors on eBay are rare, and the experienced users will spot, and snipe, them very quickly.
Stick to what is recommended in the FAQ. A larger, heavier, stiffer razor will be easier for you to use in the beginning. You will find watching your maneuvers easier, as well as keeping it flat while stropping.
Whether you buy new or from the Classifieds, buy for function, not looks. A beaten up vintage, honed by a professional, will likely out shave a new production razor in any event.
Two razors are better than one. Get both in shave ready state, and keep one for comparison purposes. If unsure whether your shaving razor is actually shave ready, consult the edge of the spare one.
When buying from a reputable source, learn to live with the fact that the razor is shave ready despite your personal disagreement with that verdict. It is tempting to blame initial frustrating experiences on the blade, but in most cases, it is lack of technique, or preparation.
When buying from the Classifieds, make sure you understand the significance of the ad, some crucial points:
Can I trust the seller?
While the Classifieds offer a higher success rate for inexperienced buyers than antique markets or online auction stores, it is eventually up to you and the seller whether you will consider the purchase a success.
Make sure you buy from an experienced member, preferably one who is also known to be good at honing. The interpretations of "shave readiness" vary, and unless the seller has honed, and used, a good number of razors, his verdict may be much different from yours.
The devil is in the details. As a beginner, you will not be able to adequately assess whether "some hone wear" is not much of a problem, or a death warrant for a razor. "Blemishes" may be easy to fix for an experienced shaver, but may equally easily ruin your shaving experience right from the start.
Sterilizing a razor is always a good idea, as long as you understand the risks to the razor associated therewith.
Buy mineral oil, and use it. At least once a week, some beginner comes in here drowned in tears because his razor has developed rust spots. Even stainless steel will stain; it just takes an hour more.
What to look for
blah blah blah
Buying Used
blah blah blah
Where to look
blah blah blah
What to look for
blah blah blah
Other resources
blah blah blah
