Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 17
Like Tree4Likes

Thread: Vintage blades vs. New blades

  1. #1
    Junior Member Cutty's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Posts
    15
    Thanked: 2

    Default Vintage blades vs. New blades

    Hello, everyone!

    I've recently decided to "man up" and join the ranks of those of you who shave with the straight razor. I'm not sure, however, what type of blade I should invest in. I've found someone in town (London, Ontario) who is selling two vintage Solingen blades (if I can figure it out, I'll attach the pictures) and from what I've been able to learn so far, blades made in Solingen are pretty good, right?

    So, here's my question: should I invest in one of these older razors, or should I be looking at a newer one? Do these blades improve over time, like wine, or guitars, or will there be a loss of blade quality? From what I understand, the scales can deform, depending on their material, but what of the steel?

    Lots of questions, I know, but I would rather not make the wrong choice when it comes to putting a blade to my own throat!

    Cheers,
    Cutty.

    P.S., I can't figure out how to add photos, so here's the link to the pictures:
    !!!!!!!!!!!STRAIGHT RAZORS!!!!!!!!!!!!! - London Buy & Sell Goods - Kijiji London Canada.

  2. #2
    Member Christian2100's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    Currently Myrtle Beach, SC
    Posts
    75
    Thanked: 1

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Cutty View Post
    Hello, everyone!

    I've recently decided to "man up" and join the ranks of those of you who shave with the straight razor. I'm not sure, however, what type of blade I should invest in. I've found someone in town (London, Ontario) who is selling two vintage Solingen blades (if I can figure it out, I'll attach the pictures) and from what I've been able to learn so far, blades made in Solingen are pretty good, right?

    So, here's my question: should I invest in one of these older razors, or should I be looking at a newer one? Do these blades improve over time, like wine, or guitars, or will there be a loss of blade quality? From what I understand, the scales can deform, depending on their material, but what of the steel?

    Lots of questions, I know, but I would rather not make the wrong choice when it comes to putting a blade to my own throat!

    Cheers,
    Cutty.

    P.S., I can't figure out how to add photos, so here's the link to the pictures:
    !!!!!!!!!!!STRAIGHT RAZORS!!!!!!!!!!!!! - London Buy & Sell Goods - Kijiji London Canada.
    I'm a newbie like you. But I'd say go for the vintage. I'm using an old Henry Sears and Son and it works amazingly. And the scales can always be changed if the need arises. If you can't do it yourself, I'm sure someone here would do it for you. I'm under the impression that if the blade quality is good, then vintage razors are just as good as new ones. I believe it really comes down to your personal opinion. German-manufactured razors are among the best, and in my opinion, I would go ahead and buy those before someone else here does. You DID post the link to it

  3. #3
    The Assyrian Obie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Milwaukee, WI
    Posts
    11,145
    Thanked: 2755

    Default

    Hello, Cutty:

    The important consideration at this stage is the overall state of these razors. Are these razors in good shape and are they shave ready?

    Since you're new at this, I suggest going with a new razor from an established vendor, who will hone the razor for you to be shave ready. There is plenty of time in the future to explore the world of vintage razors, by which time you will have learned your way around the straight razor world. Get a modestly priced new and shave ready Dovo, Boker or Thiers-Issard and you're on your way. Why take a chance in the initial stages of your experience.

    That's What I would do, anyway.

    Regards,

    Obie
    donjcschilde likes this.

  4. #4
    ace
    ace is offline
    Senior Member blabbermouth ace's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Virginia
    Posts
    3,362
    Thanked: 581

    Default

    Learning to shave with a straight razor is daunting enough, so no need to complicate the journey with having to restore or at least clean up and hone a razor to begin your travels with. I'd suggest starting with a razor you know to be sharp.
    donjcschilde likes this.

  5. #5
    Member JohnJ's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Posts
    71
    Thanked: 6

    Default

    There is nothing wrong with a vintage razor. I have one from 1917 and a brand new Dovo. I love them equally.

    If you are just getting started, I would avoid spending a ton on a razor with mammoth tusk scales and gold leaf, unless you are like Scrooge McDuck and can afford to swim pantsless in your vault of gold coins. Chances are that you might chip or otherwise damage your new blade. This goes doubly so for your first strop, which will have the life expectancy of a big mac at a fat farm. Once you learn the basics, then you can give in to RAD (Razor Acquisition Disorder).

    So for a first razor you are looking for 3 things: 1) quality, 2) edge, and 3) cost. With a new blade, so long as it is from a reputable company, you will get 1, 2, and depending on the blade, 3. A new Dovo can run as low as 70 bucks.

    If you want to go with a classic razor, you will have no idea about the edge from most sellers. I would recommend one of two places. First, the market place on SRP is probably the best place to get razors in the world. You are all but guaranteed to get a low to reasonable price with great quality. Additionally, when they tell you it will ship shave ready, this means that they probably honed the thing themselves and are missing a tiny patch of hair off their forearms to prove it. Many other dealers would try to sell you a rusty, cracked, useless blade and charge you 100 or more for it because it is an "antique".

    The other alternative is Larry over at Whipped Dog Straight Razor Sales, who specializes in hooking up new shavers with all the basics with good quality products at rock bottom prices.

  6. #6
    The original Skolor and Gentileman. gugi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Posts
    17,410
    Thanked: 3906
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default

    I think less than 3% of my razors are new, so I obviously have rather strong preference for vintage, but as people before me posted you need to buy a razor that shaves, and those do not fit this criteria.

  7. #7
    Well Shaved Gentleman... jhenry's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Indianapolis, IN
    Posts
    3,860
    Thanked: 3760

    Default

    Cutty,

    At this point I think cost would be my primary consideration. Solingen, Germany has a reputation for turning out good blades of ll kinds, but I think that $150 bucks is a bit much for your first razor.

    You can, as Obie suggested, get both a nice razor as well as a nice latigo 3" strop for that much money. Then all you would need is a brush and some shaving soap or cream to complete your shaving kit.

    Check with one of the vendors who advertise here or in Canada who sell straight razor and strop sets and compare their cost to that of the vintage razor you are considering. Then make your choice.
    "Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." Mark Twain

  8. The Following User Says Thank You to jhenry For This Useful Post:

    Obie (05-30-2011)

  9. #8
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Long Branch, NJ
    Posts
    152
    Thanked: 18

    Default

    Weather you decide to go with a quality new or used/vintage razor it makes no difference. Thats personal preferance. My suggestion to you is that whatever you buy make sure it is from a reputable source and comes shave ready. Check the classifieds here. There are many great vintage razors being bought and sold here everyday. If you are buying from an experienced member and it says shave ready than odds are it is. If you decide to go new than there are plenty of excelent vendors advertised on this site and buying from one of them if it says shave ready it surely is. Dont forget to get yourself a cheep but good quality strop. That will be needed to get you started. I say a cheep strop because odds are you will damage it. There are also vendors here that can help you with that. Good luck with your new venture. Have patience and you will not regret the switch to str8s

  10. #9
    At Last, my Arm is Complete Again!! tinkersd's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Posts
    550
    Thanked: 55

    Default

    If you buy from one of the SRP members that also is a honmiester, you can get a good price and certainly a decent edge. If you want new one then I suggest you go to Straight Razor Designs, thier prices are excellent and they will sell it to you with the keenest of edges!!

    IMHO, tinkersd

  11. #10
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Vancouver, BC, Canada
    Posts
    1,377
    Thanked: 275

    Default

    Unless you've actually seen the razors, _and you have an educated eye_, $150 is a lot of money for two vintage blades. They may be rusted, they may be chipped, they may be warped, they may have frowning edges -- you don't know!

    I have experienced most of the above problems (some of them in blades I held in my hand, before purchase) in eBay and antique-shop vintage blades. I learned a lot about sharpening razors, on a very steep learning curve. I'm still climbing that curve, and it's interesting. But it's not a good way to start shaving with a straight razor.

    My suggestion, FWIW:

    a) If you have the budget for a new razor, get a Dovo "Best Quality" (or a kit that includes one) from Straight Razor Designs. It'll come properly honed, and it'll be brand new. You'll need a strop, as well as the razor. Everything else you need, you can buy at your local pharmacy.

    b) If you don't have that budget, start perusing the "Classifieds" on this site, and visit Whipped Dog Straight Razor Sales. You can get a vintage blade -- properly honed -- for a reasonable price. You'll still need a strop.

    Charles
    milanoo likes this.

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •