Gold Dollar or Vintage straight razor

[Doti B]

Hi still a relative newbie to straight razor shaving and have a few Gold Dollar razors. My question would be should I replace one or maybe 2 Gold Dollars for a vintage 5/8 or 6/8 straight. What benefits if any would I achieve by doing this ?

Thanks guys

 

[silverlifter]

Every vintage razor I have shaved with has been a better razor than a GD: better construction, balance, steel. Easier to hone. More enjoyable to use.

I know they have their fans here, but other than the price, I don't think they have anything going for them.

 

[Legion]

Vintage razors are a lot cooler, IMO.

Also, i'd rather save and restore something old than contribute to more mass produced stuff out of China.

 

[H Brad Boonshaft]

So, how are the Gold Dollar’s shaving? No question, they can be made to shave and shave well.

A vintage razor will generally be much better ground and shave differently, better is a relative term.

Also, a vintage razor in good condition will be easier to hone and strop than a new factory Gold Dollar, but once you get them dialed in at the proper angle they will take an edge. If you replace the scales, they will be more comfortable to strop.

 

[Doti B]

Think I’ll save a bit of stress by not acquiring any more GD’s. I keep my eyes out for vintage 6/8 round point razors for a while and see what presents. Any manufacturers with reputations for using good steel I should look out for ? Was thinking of a T R Cadman Bengali

 

[Legion]

Think I’ll save a bit of stress by not acquiring any more GD’s. I keep my eyes out for vintage 6/8 round point razors for a while and see what presents. Any manufacturers with reputations for using good steel I should look out for ? Was thinking of a T R Cadman Bengali

Can’t go wrong with a Bengall, in my experience.

 

[Frank Shaves]

There is only one way to know and that is to try a vintage straight.

Lots of good brands and models. If you review the last few months of the "What straight did you use today" and "Straight Razor Acquisition Thread" threads, you will learn about many good brands.

 

[Seelector]

Think I’ll save a bit of stress by not acquiring any more GD’s

I think you're making the right choice. I've never tried a GD but I've had lots of luck with vintage SR's. There's lots of choice depending what you want to spend. You can buy a fully restored beauty from Griffith to a user grade ebay special or anything in between, and they will all shave well once you've honed them. Just avoid anything with active rust and chips on the bevel.

 

[H Brad Boonshaft]

Literally tons of great vintage razors in the wild, almost anything made in the early 1900’s. Any American razor stamped New York from the 20’s, Swedish or German. Pretty much vintage, stamped Solingen will be a shaver, if you find a 3 pinned Dovo from the 40’s snap it up.

As with most thing vintage, it is all about condition, minimal spine wear, no rust, pitting or cracks, broken, chipped or cracked scales and no cell rot, fine red rust is a clue.

Once you start paying attention and looking you will find them, like I said in another thread, I found a nice minimal spine wear Genco for $8, I don’t need another razor, but $8, cleaned up nice and is super shaver.

 

[mr_houston]

Every vintage razor I have shaved with has been a better razor than a GD: better construction, balance, steel. Easier to hone. More enjoyable to use.

I agree. Plus the vintage razors are classic in their shape, weight, and geometry.

The GD is fine and cheap, but it’s not really shaped like any “real” razor.

I would buy from someone here on the BST thread that has already restored a particular razor and worked out its kinks.

 

[Gord A]

It's a no brainer.
A well chosen vintage razor will never lose it's value while a Gold Dollar has very little value to start with. There's a good reason for this. You get what you pay for. (mostly)
Finding the best vintage razor is one of the most popular topics on the forum so if you let us know what is important to you there will be plenty of advise available.

 

[Waistgunner]

It just all depends on your preference. Old or new, a shave is a shave. No more, no less!

 

[Eshebert]

Gold Dollars hone easy but don't hold an edge as good as quality steel. I use them for travel and at work at sea for 3 weeks at a time. When those 21 days are up I don't want to look at another one. Its a tool and it does the job I ask of it.