Thread: Next Newbie Question - Blade Material and Cost

OK, I'm getting psyched to use a straight blade. Not worried about the learning curve. Reading this site is opening my eyes to the many nuances I will have to become familair with, but I think I'll enjoy the process.

I am wondering about a starter blade. Looking around I see sites selling blades from $150 and up, and then I see $10-$30 blades on ebay. Is there significant difference in the material of the blade and how well it holds it's edge? As with most items, I figure brand and a some "designer" touches may be a cost factor, but for a starter I'm not concerned about those. I just want a good blade.
Any tips on getting an affordable quality blade? I'm pretty sure I'm going to get a round tip first.

BTW: I can credit this site for initiating me into straight blades. I was frustrated and annoyed with shaving, but never even considered a straight edge until I stumbled across this site. Kudos and thanks to you all!

Thanks for the suggestions. The Bismarck is a very attractive blade, but the classic's shape suggests a lot of forgiveness. Nice smooth transition from the front edge to the round tip. The bismarck has a bit of a point there. When I get proficient, I suspect I'll want a point there, but I think I'll be kind to myself and get something forgiving to start with :-)

Sound advice here above.

Originally Posted by cpcohen1945

Here's the world, as I understand it, based on what I've read and seen:


The least-expensive (but perfectly usable) vintage blades are usually from Whipped Dog Straight Razor Sales.

Have fun, and try to avoid getting mystified. I'm sorry if I ran on too long.

Charles

After viewing this site, I would never recommend it to a newbie. The seller acknowledges that they are not shave ready and some of them will need considerable work if they can ever be used. As others have said, I would stick with SRD or the SRP classified.

vintagebladesllc.com

Jim is very helpful with questions...you can contact him by phone or email. I picked up my first razor from him (Dovo Bismarck with black scales). Great store with competitive prices. SRP is a site is a wealth of information. You can quickly learn which manufacturers are known for producing a quality blade just by browsing the different forums. Don't hesitate to ask, lots of people willing to give advice.....for free! Congrats on joining the ranks!

Originally Posted by leadduck

After viewing this site, I would never recommend it to a newbie. The seller acknowledges that they are not shave ready and some of them will need considerable work if they can ever be used. As others have said, I would stick with SRD or the SRP classified.

Not shave ready? I got two blades from whippeddog and they were most certainly shave ready. They weren't pretty, but at the time I just cared about how they worked, not how they looked.

I recommend the site, as well as the classifieds here if you want something cheap.

Originally Posted by leadduck

The seller acknowledges that they are not shave ready and some of them will need considerable work if they can ever be used.

I have not yet had the pleasure of dealing with them, but if you look closer the exact opposite is true. The pics are "as recieved" pics, not the state they currently are in.

From the page, about the razor appearances:
"RAZOR APPEARANCE
The razors on this site are usually pictured in their "as received" condition. They will be further cleaned before sale. Some cosmetic flaws might exist on the blades at the time of sale, for the reason mentioned above.
All razors sold will be honed to shave readiness before sale."

It appears they are all shave ready and none of them need any work to be shave ready. They may not be the prettiest tho.

For my first razor, I bought a lovely example of a Hamburg Ring for £30 (my most expensive razor to date) and got it honed by Gary in the classifieds. £37 all in.

Ebay is great for bargains, just make sure you know the good brands and markings and you shouldn't go wrong. And also make sure they don't have chips or any major restore work and you could pick up some great deals and razors.

But if you wanna make sure of a good shave ready razor dive into the classifieds and find an already restored razor by one of the guys on the forums.

regards alex

Well, for what it's worth, here's my two cents: I would start with a good Dovo razor, maybe from Straight Razor Designs. That way you know you are getting a good razor and it will arrive professionally honed.

Keep in mind you don't have to spend a lot of money. The "inexpensive' models are often based on the material of the scales. The same blade with a more exotic scale material will cost you a lot more. The razor will be prettier, but will not shave you any better.

As you move up in price the blade will also get better, but once again a large part of the cost will be in the scales. So, as with the less expensive razors you can save a lot by compromizing on the scales.

I think most here will agree that even a low end Dovo will give you a great shave and makes a good starter razor. As time goes on you will probably want to add more to your collection, then you can buy some vintage razors here or go crazy with some exotics.

I should mention that Rup Razor sells some very inexpensive razors and kits with strops. Because they hone all their razors before shipping, one of theirs would also be a good starter. I think they are called Gold Dollar razors. I have one of these and a Dovo, and I like the Dovo a little better. Rup's strops are also excellent.

Originally Posted by leadduck

After viewing this site, I would never recommend it to a newbie. The seller acknowledges that they are not shave ready and some of them will need considerable work if they can ever be used. As others have said, I would stick with SRD or the SRP classified.

I've just checked his website, and it's confusing. I'll PM him about it.

I understand why you wrote what you did.


Larry sells three "grades" of vintage razors:

. . . "as-received" (untouched, listed under "As-Received Gear" -- definitely not for newbies!)

. . . "shave-ready" (sharpened and honed) but not "restored" (the "Whipped Dog Straights")

. . . "restored" (polished and refurbished).

The middle grade is what I was suggesting.

I don't have one of those razors, but I _do_ have his "Poor Man's Strop Kit", and it works nicely.

Charles