Considering the purchase of Torrey "992" from a reputable purveyor of restored blades

[Goyu]

I'm a newbie wetshaver recently converted to the venerable art of shaving with naked steel after my first experience with a straight razor about a week ago. Having done some research online, I've decided that I'd like a 5/8 or 11/16 razor, preferably with a french point, and have come across a fellow who has offered to sell me a restored 11/16 Torrey "992" with a French point. Here's the model in question (NOTE: This is not the actual razor, just posting the same model as a reference.)

http://straightrazorplace.com/attac...-sun-august-14th-sat-august-20th-p8140041.jpg

Does anyone have input? Reasonable price for a restored blade? Things to be concerned about when buying a restored blade? Suitability of this blade type for a newbie? I landed on the idea of a 5/8 or 11/16 because I wanted something maneuverable and the French point is supposed to be helpful for certain delicate spots while not being as perilous as a square edge. Please, if I'm making assumptions in error, correct me before I make the plunge and buy the wrong razor.

 

[Goyu]

http://imgur.com/a/OPerp

In this image is the blade itself. I'm currently most interested in the Torrey, but also considering the Sheffield. Thoughts?

 

[GreekGuy]

Thoughts?

All overpriced. With a little patience you can get a nice shave ready blade off the BST here for $35 +/-

Better yet, buy the sight unseen deal at WhippedDog for $50 or whatever. It's a killer deal. I would recommend that over any other option.


With regards to your first straight, I've been there. I know its tempting to pick out this size with that point and these scales, etc etc. My advice, and I feel a lot of others will say the same, is just get a vintage razor. They are all good shavers. If you LOVE straights, then there is plenty of time to find EXACTLY what you want. But until then you shouldn't be overly concerned about the details.

EDIT: I should add that the MOP inlay, if it even is real MOP, is nice. But it contributes nothing to the actual shave. If I were starting out, a concern would be being able to recover costs if I decide to get out. I doubt you would be able to sell any of those near the asking price.

 

[Goyu]

Thanks for posting!

Any input on the razor itself as suitable for a newbie/learning razor? Is one blade-type more forgiving than another?

 

[Mike'sWorld]

My advice is to try a few razors out and you'll quickly find your favorite style. Not only that, but your favorite style will evolve as you learn to shave with straights. This sounds expensive. It doesn't have to be. Every antique shop has a box full of old razors,

ebay has them for next to nothing,Whippeddog is great. Find one you like with no rust and send it out to be honed. After you know your preferences, spend some time and money choosing an heirloom quality razor, one that makes you smile every time you

use it. You can learn to shave with a razor that you've spent a lot of money on but you risk finding out later that your requirements have changed. If this happens you can recoup most of your expenses by selling your razor and viewing the extra expense as a learners fee.

I learned to shave with a straight on a Dublduck Goldedge 13/16 extra hollow ground. It was a lucky antique store find but covered with rust. I had it expertly restored and honed by Larry at Whippeddog. Most will tell you this is not a beginners blade, but I

learned to shave on it and it is still my favorite. I have now about 20 straight razors of all grinds and sizes. I enjoy the variety.

Most say that extreme hollow grinds are not for beginners and neither is a spike point. You might find the opposite is true for you. Each has its advantages.

Good luck in your hunt and post what you've decided.

 

[GreekGuy]

Thanks for posting!

Any input on the razor itself as suitable for a newbie/learning razor? Is one blade-type more forgiving than another?

I'd stay away from spike points. I like them, but they are require more attention and when you're learning how to strop they aren't ideal.

I think 5/8 is a good size to start. Smaller ones are trickier to use. Larger ones don't really have a downside per se, but they are more expensive

The round point is a good choice, square point, french point (nose), Spanish point. These are all fine. For a beginner though there isn't much difference. I do like a square or spike point as opposed to a round point on larger blades, because trying to fit a 8/8 blade under your nose can be a bit of a challenge at times, and I think they are easier for taming sideburns and the like, but this is really a minor point and shouldn't be a consideration when buying your first blade.

Really, there is plenty of time to find what you love. First find if straight shaving is for you or not. There are so many options out there. Once you get the hang of it, you can always go shopping for more. I'd suggest staying away from ebay and antique stores. There are deals to be had, and I don't mean any offense when I say this, but I doubt you would know what to look for. It takes time and experience to judge what is savable and what isn't. As well as what brands are good and what are just ok. Then there is the whole price issue. Some blades with pitting and tarnish can be worth hundreds of dollars. Others in pristine condition may only be worth $20.

 

[Goyu]

Better idea?

EDIT: There was a link here, but it was removed. I haven't been told why. Something about live auction links.

 

[Goyu]

Why was the link edited out of my post? How am I supposed to ask for advice about a razor that no one can see.

*PST* Go to Ebay and search for:

T. NOONAN & SONS - KO Special - Restored Straight Razor - SHAVE READY

And tell me if the result is a better deal than what you get if you go to ebay and search for:

WESTER BROS - Fraternity - Restored Straight Razor - SHAVE READY

 

[scottish steve]

Thanks for posting!

Any input on the razor itself as suitable for a newbie/learning razor? Is one blade-type more forgiving than another?

I've bought several razors from the invisible edge, who is a member. He prepares them well and gives quick service, though I don't know how much of a pain intl shipping is. I also bought a Dovo strop from him, which unfortunately was not sent in a hard box and developed a kink in-transit which impaired its performance. There are many razors here to choose from. I recommend "The Classic"


http://www.theinvisibleedge.co.uk/invisibleedgeclassicrazor.html

or a Dovo Best

 

[Brent]

Go to whippeddog.com and buy a sight unseen deal. eBay is way to easy to get a bad deal if you're a newbie. Also, you're probably not going to get something shave ready, which is EXTREMELY important. You also need a serviceable strop. Also, it is very easy to nick, chip, crack your first razor so don't spend that much. My first razor I nicked on the faucet on day 6. That happens, you need a rehoning. Also, you're not out much if you find it's not for you (many don't make it).

The deal at whippeddog gives you a shave ready razor, strop and balsa hone. Many on this board started with whipped dog.

 

[Wullie]

The link was most likely removed due to forum policy against posting links to live auctions.

AS you've never messed with these before, I'd hold off on any ebay purchases for a bit. Reason being is that about 98% of the razors being sold on ebay are being sold by people that don't know a lot about them. What they describe as good and sharp may or may not be when it comes to using and shaving. You can cut yourself to shreds with a dull razor and yet it won't cut a whisker. It will be a very unpleasant experience if you try to use one that isn't ready to shave.

It is possible to tie up a pant load of $$ in this endeavor. I realize you are excited about it and want to give it a go. We're all for you in that respect. What we are trying to do is show you some avenues that won't cost you a pant load and yet give you an opportunity to start with quality gear that will get the job done. We're trying to help you learn from our mistakes basically.

IF you want to buy a new razor, the by all means go for it. Most of the dealers will provide them to you ready to shave. If you just want to try a razor to see if you like it, then go to Larry at www.whippeddog.com and get yourself one of his starter set ups.

We're not trying to tie your shoelaces together. We just want to see you enjoy shaving the way most of us shave and the way your ancestors shaved.

Willie

 

[scottish steve]

+1,000,000 on getting one that's truly shave-ready. 99% of people out there have no idea how sharp a straight needs to be.

Also, keep at it. It took me a very long time to be anything like proficient and I kept giving it up then coming back to it for months. And I do mean months. I think in fact it was something like 18 months after buying one that I finally declared myself "no longer a pretender".

 

[Slash McCoy]

Ebay razors, for someone who knows how to select, repair, and hone them, can be a fantastic bargain. Ebay razors as a newbie's first razor is a terrible idea. I would get a whippeddog sight unseen deal, complete with the poor man strop kit. He also sells very cheap badger brushes, and you will need a brush. A mug you can get from the kitchen or Goodwill. VDH shave soap you can get at Walgreens for less than two bucks. All that will get you in the game as cheap as can be got.

 

[Goyu]

Well, I decided to go with the Torrey 992 and a cheaper Ebay deal. I'm pretty committed to learning how to do this, as my skin simply doesn't react well to a disposable blade shave, and I can't get a close shave with a cartridge razor. I'm fine with spending a little extra for a truly shave ready razor and a travel friendly set up. I don't know if I mentioned in this post, but I'm living abroad and traveling. I've had NO luck finding straight razor supplies here (the barbers buy online, for crying out loud), and I've also been unable to find disposable DE blades. I'll be gone for what may be as long as a year or possibly longer, so I really need a travel-friendly gear set up. To that end, I've picked up a Simpson Wee Scot travel brush (I'll use an old prescription bottle for the case, and drill some holes in it to make sure it breathes), some nifty "Sasquatch" shave soap, as well as some colonel conk shave soap (both selected because they come in watertight cases). The razor will come with a hone and a travel strop of the seller's own design, which I think (hope?) is a pretty ingenious set up. I also picked up another, cheap razor. Basically just something to practice on while I learn the arcane complexities of honing and stropping and carefully handling my razor so that I don't knick it on a faucet.

Thanks everyone for your input! I appreciate it! If I've missed anything in terms of necessary purchases or you have something I should know about technique, I really appreciate more opportunities to learn from your mistakes before I make them ^___^

 

[GreekGuy]

Thanks everyone for your input! I appreciate it!

You essentially ignored all the suggestions people gave you.

 

[Goyu]

You essentially ignored all the suggestions people gave you.

The fact that I did not follow them doesn't mean I ignored them. Many of the suggestions given won't work logistically for a man living out of a backpack, including the WhippedDog deal. The poor man strop kit won't last long if it's spending days at a time smashed into a backpack, and I can't go to Walgreens for soap because... well... they don't have Walgreens in Mexico.

I get that the razor I bought is probably overpriced... Ok... But at least I can see what I'm buying, and I'm comfortable spending a little extra to see my purchase. The ebay razor is a cheap practice razor essentially to make mistakes on, and really I have to make do with sellers willing to ship to Mexico.

Also, I didn't ignore all of the suggestions. Several people told me to try out several different razors, to help me try to get a feel for what works with my face. I was also told that there's plenty of time. I'm trying out several razors, but there isn't plenty of time, because in a few weeks I will no longer have an address.

And GreekGuy. Yours was among the advice I followed. You said "stay away from spike points". I would have gotten two French points, but on your advice, I picked up a round tipped Kron-Punkt on Ebay, from a guy with 100% positive ratings who only sells shave ready razors. I have a hard time believing this guy could sell over 50 "shave ready" razors and no one would complain. Perhaps Ebay isn't the best idea, but it's just about the best option in my situation.

I didn't ignore everyone, I just used what tips I could and regretfully ignored those that won't work in my situation.