Thread: Straight razor newb.

I am new to this Straight Razor stuff. I been reading however about first time razor or starter razors. I also been reading that it is good to go scout flea markets and antique shops. I own 2 sheffield steel razors and one solingen steel straight razor.

What i am confused about is what is a good razor? Is it the brand? Is it because of the shape of the blade might not match up to my skin? Is it ergonomics? I want to get a starter straight razor but it be a great razor but what qualifies that? I read about thiers issard and DOVO but what makes them better than my 2 sheffields and 1 solingen? Can someone explain what is the "starter razor". Why do you need a starter? Are all razors not the same? I know stainless is hard to sharpen and sheffield and solingen are the best but how do i go about settling on a razor? sorry for so many questions guys.

All the razors I have bu99ered up through clumsiness were my starter razors! IOW nothing sparkly and expensive....

The problem is not knowing what you should want or what to look for. A starter razor should be already honed, checked by someone with experience that it has the basically correct geometry (as in it isn't honed out at the tip), and is usually one with a round point so you don't put a scar down your face that makes you look like a pirate, permanently.

You may already have a good idea of what a decent razor is because you already own a few. Many people actually don't know what a razor should look like in the first place.

Sheffield and Solingen had steel quality bylaws to ensure the best steels were used so you can very largely count on steel from those regions. The Swedes started it all with the highest quality steel so Eskeltuna blades are also excellent. Thiers Issard uses Sheffield steel, but has their own patented lead hardening process to make the steel even harder.

X

Welcome to SRP. You might want to read this first and check out these videos. The razors you have may be perfect for shaving. If you can post pics of them we could better assess them. If they are good then sending them to a honmiester would be the way to go until you can take care of that yourself.

Stainless steel is not harder to sharpen.

Thanks guys.

I was just confused to why people kept saying starter razor. I guess as long it is one of the choice razors on the wiki you should be ok.

I have 3 razors.

1 is "sheffield warranted" according to the stuff i read in the wiki... no curves, no chips, no wear... etc. nice blade looks like new.

the other sheffield is labeled "Extra hollowed ground" Sheffield. It like the other sheffield doesn't have a name on it.

The solingen is a Marke Birko here is a pic on this one.

Those are great razors!
I would send them out to get them put in shave-ready condition. One of the advertised honemeisters would be your best bet. This will give you a good reference as to what a razor should feel like. Then, you will only need a strop; recommend something from Tony Miller.