Help me find my perfect straight. :

[Mike78]

I got my first "straight" (feather artist) recently and I'm enjoying this a lot more then I expected to. Then yesterday my wife informed me she hasn't a clue what to get me for a xmas/b.day (all rolled in one) present so I figure I might as well make the most of this opportunity and get myself a real straight.

Thing is, this will probably be the last razor I get for a very very long time. So I have to make sure I do this right.

Im on a budget of about €500 ($650)

So here's what I'm thinking.

Stainless steel blade. Its got to be a stainless steel blade.

I definitely have a thing for 8/8ths.

Just based on aesthetics alone I really like the French Points.

As for the scales... well I dont really mind what scales are on it right now as in the future I would like to get some custom scales made.

Lastly, blades with some gold on them (or even just designs etched into the blade) really appeal to me.



So gentlemen. Any ideas on what razors would fit the above criteria, or come close to meeting it?

 

[MilkyLee]

I know you said it has to be stainless steel, why is that? For that price you could get Damascus!

 

[Mike78]

Believe it or not, Damascus really doesn't appeal to me at all.

As for why it has to be stainless, well I read on the wiki that carbon razors can rust regardless of how well you look after them, so couple that with my house right next to the sea and I'll be in a for a world of pain Best just stick with the stainless I think.

 

[Lexbomb]

For that much I would look as getting a custom such as a Brian brown you might even be able to squeeze in two for that price. I cant remember how much mine cost.

 

[FiveOhNine]

As for why it has to be stainless, well I read on the wiki that carbon razors can rust regardless of how well you look after them, so couple that with my house right next to the sea and I'll be in a for a world of pain Best just stick with the stainless I think.

Stainless can rust too, believe it or not. Just make sure you care for your new toy!

 

[MrDentini]

Get yourself a masterpiece: a Mastro Livi's: http://www.mastrolivirazors.com/
Even better if you could get there and ask him to build your custom razor from start to finish...

 

[Doc226]

Get some silicon sleeves from TSS, that will help prevent rust.

 

[Slash McCoy]

I don't have any problems with my carbon steel razors rusting, and I live on a sailboat.

As a GENERAL rule, carbon steel is easier to hone. Also you have a LOT more razors to choose from if you don't limit yourself to stainless.

 

[Obiwan]

First, if I read correctly, this would be your first traditional staright? If so, I'd suggest investing in a $50 insurance poilicy for the gift and get yourself a starter kit from Larry at whippeddog.com . This way you can get the whole stropping and daily routine thing down to practice proper care.

That said, for my money I'd get yourself on Brian Brown's list for a custom if you want one razor. The man is an absolute class act and a joy to work with. The problem is, without having tried a few different sizes, grinds, features, you won't really know what you want out of a razor. (Again, if I read this wrong and you have prior traditional straight experience, please ignore and forgive my rant).

Another option to consider would be to get a few quality blades. I think 3 $200 razors (or any combination thereof) can keep you pretty happy as well. Just a thought.

Good luck, welcome to B&B, and keep us posted.

 

[Slash McCoy]

You could also get about 120 Gold Dollar #66's and have enough left over in your budget for a cheap dremel knockoff, some wet/dry paper, lapping film, a cheap diamond plate, and some diamond paste for polishing, and end up with a 4 month set. YOW! Triple the budget and you can shave with a different razor every day of the year and add a Big Daddy strop to the kit.

 

[Mike78]

First, if I read correctly, this would be your first traditional staright? If so, I'd suggest investing in a $50 insurance poilicy for the gift and get yourself a starter kit from Larry at whippeddog.com . This way you can get the whole stropping and daily routine thing down to practice proper care.

That said, for my money I'd get yourself on Brian Brown's list for a custom if you want one razor. The man is an absolute class act and a joy to work with. The problem is, without having tried a few different sizes, grinds, features, you won't really know what you want out of a razor. (Again, if I read this wrong and you have prior traditional straight experience, please ignore and forgive my rant).

Another option to consider would be to get a few quality blades. I think 3 $200 razors (or any combination thereof) can keep you pretty happy as well. Just a thought.

Good luck, welcome to B&B, and keep us posted.

Obiwan a lot of your post rings true about lack of experience. And as you suggested I had already pre-ordered a very cheap dovo last night which I plan on perfecting my strops/hones with this.


Again I don't particularly plan on using this razor at xmas. I'm just going to get it and then put it away until I know exactly what I'm doing. (I'm actually kinda worried it might stay tucked away forever as it seems even after 20 years people are still learning.)




So Ive been reading a few threads and looking at pictures and Ive taken a very definite shine to the filarmonica 13. I was tad bit disappointed when I read that its the BMW of the razor world. (in other words, your paying for the name). But still. Its a very nice blade and matches (most) of the criteria, 8/8, gold and some designs on the blade...


http://img576.imageshack.us/img576/1396/p1000463e.jpg




So is there any other blades out there similar to this?

 

[thatsilverguy]

So is there any other blades out there similar to this?

For 650 dollars you could probably find one like that. Troll Ebay - they used to be everywhere.

But is that stainless?

 

[dakotaev]

I don't know if you'll find a pre-made blade that meets all of your criteria, you might get close though. BTW if you want a 8/8 Filarmonica look for the #14 not #13, I believe the #13 comes in a bit smaller around 7/8.

 

[Snuff-Belgium]

It's all about personal preference but I must say that I bought a Filarmonica (for a rather small price from a friend) and found no love, IMHO there are better ones out there for a lot less money (I'm only talking quality of the shave here). You could take a look at http://www.revisor-solingen.de/html/rasiermesser.html lots of choice.

I don't want to try to convince you to change your mind but I'm happy that I didn't pay a lot of money buying big name razors in the beginning, I found myself some guys that had straights where I live and tried them out. Only later did I decide to buy what I really liked. Hope you find your dream razor.

 

[Mike78]

By the way... I have taken everybodies advice on board about going down the custom route. But I have looked at some custom razors and although they have some excellent blade work etc the one thing they all lacked (well the ones in my budget at least) was that none of them had gold or designs on the blade.

I know its only aesthetics, but I can definietly see this razor been handed down to my kids etc and what can I say, I just have a thing for a well decorated blade

 

[thatsilverguy]

It's all about personal preference but I must say that I bought a Filarmonica (for a rather small price from a friend) and found no love, IMHO there are better ones out there for a lot less money (I'm only talking quality of the shave here). You could take a look at http://www.revisor-solingen.de/html/rasiermesser.html lots of choice.

I don't want to try to convince you to change your mind but I'm happy that I didn't pay a lot of money buying big name razors in the beginning, I found myself some guys that had straights where I live and tried them out. Only later did I decide to buy what I really liked. Hope you find your dream razor.

+1

I found a 6/8" Tuckmar Solingen for a fraction of that cost that is a superb shaver - very sharp with a buttery-smooth feel

 

[Doc226]

Obiwan a lot of your post rings true about lack of experience. And as you suggested I had already pre-ordered a very cheap dovo last night which I plan on perfecting my strops/hones with this.


Again I don't particularly plan on using this razor at xmas. I'm just going to get it and then put it away until I know exactly what I'm doing. (I'm actually kinda worried it might stay tucked away forever as it seems even after 20 years people are still learning.)




So Ive been reading a few threads and looking at pictures and Ive taken a very definite shine to the filarmonica 13. I was tad bit disappointed when I read that its the BMW of the razor world. (in other words, your paying for the name). But still. Its a very nice blade and matches (most) of the criteria, 8/8, gold and some designs on the blade...


http://img576.imageshack.us/img576/1396/p1000463e.jpg




So is there any other blades out there similar to this?

Those are very nice, and very expensive. Like it has been said, I don't think the shave is better than any other straight. I am still looking for a Fili 13 that is not $500.

 

[Woodash]

I got my first "straight" (feather artist) recently and I'm enjoying this a lot more then I expected to. Then yesterday my wife informed me she hasn't a clue what to get me for a xmas/b.day (all rolled in one) present so I figure I might as well make the most of this opportunity and get myself a real straight.

Thing is, this will probably be the last razor I get for a very very long time. So I have to make sure I do this right.

Im on a budget of about €500 ($650)

So here's what I'm thinking.

Stainless steel blade. Its got to be a stainless steel blade.

I definitely have a thing for 8/8ths.

Just based on aesthetics alone I really like the French Points.

As for the scales... well I dont really mind what scales are on it right now as in the future I would like to get some custom scales made.

Lastly, blades with some gold on them (or even just designs etched into the blade) really appeal to me.



So gentlemen. Any ideas on what razors would fit the above criteria, or come close to meeting it?

I'm guessing it will not be the last razor that you buy for a very long time, so I would suggest that you not worry about 'doing it right'. Get something you like and enjoy it. There is no holy grail (or at least it's a moving target...). The same holds true for SS vs. carbon, or 8/8, or French points, or gold wash. Again, given that you will likely (soon) be interested in other razors, why not keep an open mind?

 

[Kavik79]

get one of these: http://www.alembicproducts.com/index.html
it will store your learning razor, your "perfect razor" and the inevitable "oh, I've gotta get that one" razors all in an air tight/waterproof case complete with dessicant packets. Just wipe them down and dry them off after use, toss them in there and the ocean shouldn't be a problem

I haven't been shopping for anything in that price range, but in drooling over other peoples purchase there are a lot of really amazing custom makers out there, but I don't think I've seen a custom maker using gold wash yet. But it looks like you're after a more classic looking razor anyway. I'd suggest doing some browsing on eBay and try searching the Straight Razor category there for "NOS" (New Old Stock), you'll see a few there that might fit the bill


Here's a real beauty with a buy it now price of $500
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bartmann-be...128?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cc9d539c0


but for that kind of money I'd buy the alembicase, a good strop, a practice strop (if you don't already have one), a set of hones for future use, 2 good razors, 5 ugly practice razors, and set aside some money for professional honing on the good razors while you learn to hone and maintain the other 5

 

[BJJ]

Another option to consider would be to get a few quality blades. I think 3 $200 razors (or any combination thereof) can keep you pretty happy as well. Just a thought.

Good luck, welcome to B&B, and keep us posted.

that's a good ideia... let's say you buy an expensive razor that altought is a good razor you might not be happy shaving with it...
so ...
i would do that suggestion ... 3 x US200,00

best regards