Straight Razors (Reviews)

My impressions of the Hart Steel Razor won during the Carnival of Smiles raffle follow. First let me thank Classic Shaving for donating the razor. A tip of the hat to our moderators who worked hard promoting and running the Carnival. Lastly, I would like to congratulate B&B for choosing, and the membership for supporting, such a worth charity. The Hart Steel Razor does not look impressive. It is rather plain and exclusive of ornamentation. No gold wash, no blade etch, no mirror...

I had coveted Frank Warner's birdwing design for years. Luckily, I was able to nab a spot on his waiting list. While in queue, I found Frank to be a fantastic creative partner in the endeavor, completely game to work with my fondness for natural history artifacts. I found a gorgeous slab of apple coral. Little did I know how much extra work I was creating for Frank who would have to labor away at this strangely porous material. When Frank produced early drawings, I was able to get a...

So I wanted to share my experience with this restored Red Imp razor that I bought on eBay from lax, as today was my first day shaving with it. I was actually a little scared about using it, probably because of the red color -- I mean, a RED razor, that can't be good, right? But my concern quickly disappeared as I started to shave. The blade is very thin and hollow, and you can actually hear it shaving off each individual whisker. Many of my other razors kind of bump or skip along my...

The wonderful 1/4 Grind Le Grelot is a treasured razor by anyone who uses it, made from old Le Grelot blanks, Theirs Issard started new production on this perfect blade. The price might be high, but considering the limited quantity of these razors, it is worth it. The quality of the razor blade itself is overwhelming. I have heard of a few with minor aesthetic marks, and the scales might have some small problems, but I have yet to here of the blade letting down anyones...

I can't believe this razor hasn't been reviewed yet! This is Dovo's least expensive line of razors at the moment. I have the 6/8 which is about $5 more than the 5/8. For the record I really prefer the 6/8 size over any other size I have shaved with. This is an appealing looking razor for it's price point. The scales are plastic, but they feel solid and there is a brace that the tang sits on when the razor is closed. The blade itself is fairly plain. The etching isn't anything...

Crappy Cell Phone Pic I got the black Bismarck 6/8 about 6 months ago from my wife. It is a lovely razor. Price wise this is middle of the road for the Dovo line. It comes in a blue no thrills coffin, but it is sturdy and solid. Out of the box the razor is quite nice but you can see where some things were skimped on. Specifically the scales although the style compliments the razor. They are black plastic that are rounded at the ends. In the center of one side is Perlex with Soligen...

When I first contacted Robert about making a custom razor, it was after seeing the giraffe bone razor that Joel reviewed. I knew instantly that I wanted one, but I wasn't sure about what I would like to see as a final result. Then, after the long waiting period, I got a call from Robert asking me if I was ready for him to start. Luckily, I had significantly more experience from which to draw, and I told him that I wanted him my preferences (giraffe bone scales in greens and blues, monkey...

Just got this thing. I have been a straight shaver for a while, but I just didn't have enough time to keep up the maintenance. So I figured I'd try the Feather. I wasn't sure what to expect, and from reading previous reviews I knew I'd have to change my technique a bit. But I really didn't want to give up the closeness, ability to adjust blade angle, and the overall shaving aesthetic of a straight shave. Wasn't quite ready to give up and switch to DE just yet. :smile: I originally...

Picked this up upon recommendation from a friend at Sally Beauty Supply for about $5.00. Also got a 10 pack of Personna injector-style blades for about $4.00. I'd been using a Vincent straight that used half a DE blade with decent results, but kept getting nicked with the blade corners. A friend recommended the Fromm Hair Shaper, so I gave it a go. You simmply slip the comb/guard right off, slide in a blad, and you're good to go. I'm getting the best shaves of my life with this thing in...

[edit] this was moved to reviews for some reason...could mods move this back to The Score or Newbies forums? What is this extra "s" behind "Butcher"? Reads "Wade & Butcher's For Barbers Use"

I posted about these Japanese framebacks a while back and ended up getting some. I kept one and two others now have one. It came to me in near NOS condition. I don't know if it was ever used but it was in very good shape when I got it. The razor is a frameback style razor that Japanese Barbers once used. The box says it is Swedish steel, I am not sure if that is true, but it is a posibility. The razor blade portion is very thin and has a lot of flex. I honed it as I do all of my...

I have over 100 straight razors and in threads posted asking "if you could only have one" I have always answered that it would be like asking a mother which of her 10 kids she loved the most. That was until I got with Robert Williams and asked him to build a custom razor for me. I had gotten a Case Brothers Springville swayback and an Engstrom. I found that I liked shaving with that unusual blade shape and I wanted my custom from Robert to be a one of a kind. As far as the ratings, the...

I bought a couple of Caddilac models 5/8" and was pleasantly surprised. They were around $60 and were very close to shave ready right out of the box. A few whacks on the strop and away we went. the Blackies were better yet. I have a heavy coarse beard. I have found that a heavier blade works better. I found a pair of "Blackies" 6/8" on sale for about the same price as the "Caddalac" model 5/8". I parted with the hard earned cash and hoped for the best. When they arrived I placed my thumb on...

Picked this up on Ebay for @67.00. It sells at AOS for 135. This is the new production steel and design for T-I on this bargain razor. This is apparantly the standard AOS str8 offered by them. Looking at it it matches the description of the New Steel/Blade in another review post. As can be seen from the picture it has the elongated monkey tail, the shine, and the two lines on the tang. Also on the other side is a stamped with a letter. The other review of the pre production razor...

Okay, first of all I know I'm new here -- flame on brothers, flame on. I'm posting this review in all humility, just to get the word out on this little bargain. The Timor blue steel razor provides just what a new shaver is looking for. It's simple, it doesn't break the bank and best of all, it gives a nice shave. I'd been using a "pro" blade -- a non-brand from "Solingen" (haha yeah I know) that provided less than acceptable anything. It had issues holding an edge and always seemed...

Hunting around for old razors at a flea market often turns up a lot of dogs. Most of the time, what you see is what you get, but every once in while you take home a razor that astonishes you, sort of like letting some poor, street mutt follow you home for a handout which then surprises you by not only fetching the morning paper, but bringing it to the table and then pouring your coffee for you. OK, OK, you know I'm exaggerating, but that is the sort of happy surprise that I...

Status: MemberJoin Date: Mar 2007Posts: 42 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Mastro Livi Historic Thiers Issard Homage -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I had always wanted a razor that looked like the legendary Thiers Issard, Hammer Forged, Historic razor made by Monsieur Issard himself, however, since I was too late to get one I decided to have Mastro Livi make one for me - and boys, was that a treat!!! I scheduled an...

This razor has been a pleasure to own. It was my first straight and one that has given me many good shaves. Its a nice 5/8 roundpoint with a full hollow. A set up that would make this a good razor for someone just starting into straights. I got this from a member who had done a good job of honing it but I like the double bevel and had no problem honing it to shave ready as a double bevel. The razor was about $90 new when I got mine. Now I believe they are up over $100. The craftsmanship is...

For the gentleman who prefers plain, simple razors - yet demands the utmost in performance - let me present to you the Thiers Issard 1937 Special Coiffeur. While the 6/8 Special Coiffeur is no longer available - it's twin brother the "Super Gnome" is still readily available from most online retailers that carry the TI line for around $90. What makes this TI unique/special? Well, although it is the least expensive offering from TI, it's also the only razors in their line with a 1/2...

If this thing isn't a re-branded Wacker, than a Lexus isn't made by Toyota. They sent me the "wrong" certificate of "authenticity" (they sent me one for the less expensive "King Cutter" model) the scales are uneven, The head is unevenly ground, the pattern etched into the spine isn't straight and runs off the side of the spine towards the shank, the pivot is pretty loose, the "French Tip" isn't really a french tip, and there are scuffs on the shank and tang, and the razor is nowhere near...