How much $ for a new straight
- Thread starter Flask
- Start date
It depends what you are looking for. If it's in a shiny condition, it will be more expensive. If you are looking at a wider blade (6/8, 13/16, 7/8) versus a narrower blade (4/8, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16) well it will influence the price.
Then, there's shave ready. A shave ready razor is by definition a razor that was honed, by hand, with some stones to make the edge "shave ready". New out of the box is not shave ready.
Also, don't forget to buy a strop!
Then, there's shave ready. A shave ready razor is by definition a razor that was honed, by hand, with some stones to make the edge "shave ready". New out of the box is not shave ready.
Also, don't forget to buy a strop!
The most important part of a straight razor is the edge. How sharp it is and how long it can keep that edge. A lot of those $10 razors on ebay are Pakastani steel, and I have been able to shave off them, it was not great, and the edge needed constant attention. The Chinese made Gold Dollar razor can be good, but sometimes a bit of metal work will be needed to get them ready to hone. Factory edges are seldom shave ready.
A vintage American made razor can be found for less than $20. Honing will cost about the same.
Consider whippeddog.com, probably the best deal around for shave ready straights.
If you're looking for a new quality razor, I like Boker Tree Brand or the Dovo Special, each are a little over $100.
A vintage American made razor can be found for less than $20. Honing will cost about the same.
Consider whippeddog.com, probably the best deal around for shave ready straights.
If you're looking for a new quality razor, I like Boker Tree Brand or the Dovo Special, each are a little over $100.
I would probably not by a straight off ebay as my first purchase, or from an antique store for that matter. I thought it was a great deal, until I realized what it took to actually get it shave ready. Without members from the board, I'd never have been able to shave with it.
Check out the BST here or whippeddog.com and you can find great deals on shave ready straights for reasonable prices. Generally if it seems too cheap, you're probably getting the quality you paid for.
Reasonable strops can be found at starshaving or with a whippeddog kit. Every so often they'll come up on the BST, but don't spend a fortune on something you're going to practice cutting up.
Check out the BST here or whippeddog.com and you can find great deals on shave ready straights for reasonable prices. Generally if it seems too cheap, you're probably getting the quality you paid for.
Reasonable strops can be found at starshaving or with a whippeddog kit. Every so often they'll come up on the BST, but don't spend a fortune on something you're going to practice cutting up.
Go to www.whippeddog.com for Larry's unseen deal,everything you need to get started for about $50, then if you like shaving with a straight you can upgrade to a nicer razor and strop.
I dunno. This is a tricky question.
Of all the straights that I have, I love my $35 Boker Red Injun.
It gives me the smoothest, closest shaves.
It didn't cost an arm or a leg but it works fine.
Maybe have a look at Boker. I think they still make razors.
Of all the straights that I have, I love my $35 Boker Red Injun.
It gives me the smoothest, closest shaves.
It didn't cost an arm or a leg but it works fine.
Maybe have a look at Boker. I think they still make razors.
Stay away from those "brand new $10-$20 straights". They usually need some modification in order to be honed properly. Either that or the steel is below par. For instance, the Gold Dollar or Cut Throat straights are nearly impossible to hone because you've got a shoulder preventing you from laying the blade flat on the hone. Trust me.
As a new guy they seem very tempting, but don't give in. There are many $10 vintage straights on ebay that are still very usable. But those new straights that are advertised with a strop or something similar are no bueno for a new guy.
As a new guy they seem very tempting, but don't give in. There are many $10 vintage straights on ebay that are still very usable. But those new straights that are advertised with a strop or something similar are no bueno for a new guy.
Oh wait, are you talking about a new one?
Yeah, stay away from those cheapy ones.
They won't be any good for you unless you can make your hone sing.
Yeah, stay away from those cheapy ones.
They won't be any good for you unless you can make your hone sing.
Slash McCoy
I freehand dog rockets
There is NO brand new razor for $10 or less that is ready to shave with.
There are very few $10 or under razors that can even be made shave-ready. I love my modded Gold Dollars which can be had, INCLUDING SHIPPING, for under $3 but nearly all of them require considerable work before they will hone easily.
Vintage ready-to-shave razors start at around $21 (www.whippeddog.com)
For a good NEW shave-ready straight, figure on $140 on up. Some will say $80 for a Dovo Best, but I don't like them at all due to past bad experiences. The better Dovos, however, are a safe bet. A Boker King Cutter is a great brand new straight for your first razor but make sure the vendor hones it for you. If you have someone who will hone it, a 5/8 Giesen's & Forsthoff can be had for around $60 from www.starshaving.com.
For your first razor, stay away from ebay specials. Once you know how to restore and hone, there are quite a few oldies but goodies on the bay for $10 to $20.
Check out the Buy/Sell/Trade forum here. Sometimes there is something nice for a good price that is ready to shave.
There are very few $10 or under razors that can even be made shave-ready. I love my modded Gold Dollars which can be had, INCLUDING SHIPPING, for under $3 but nearly all of them require considerable work before they will hone easily.
Vintage ready-to-shave razors start at around $21 (www.whippeddog.com)
For a good NEW shave-ready straight, figure on $140 on up. Some will say $80 for a Dovo Best, but I don't like them at all due to past bad experiences. The better Dovos, however, are a safe bet. A Boker King Cutter is a great brand new straight for your first razor but make sure the vendor hones it for you. If you have someone who will hone it, a 5/8 Giesen's & Forsthoff can be had for around $60 from www.starshaving.com.
For your first razor, stay away from ebay specials. Once you know how to restore and hone, there are quite a few oldies but goodies on the bay for $10 to $20.
Check out the Buy/Sell/Trade forum here. Sometimes there is something nice for a good price that is ready to shave.
- Thread starter
- #10
you could orderca gold dollar razor from ebay and Seraphim can modify it
or look on our buy/sell/trade forum for any straights that "catch" your eye
larry from whippeddog is another good option
or look on our buy/sell/trade forum for any straights that "catch" your eye
larry from whippeddog is another good option
+1. Food for thought: I have 3 Whipped Dogs and a fancy, custom made Thiers Isaard. Guess what? My fancy custom TI is my least favorite razor!
I actually much prefer my Whipped Dogs. I plan to get more just for grins and so I have more affordable variety of razors. Larry from Whipped Dog is excellent on every level. May I second the motion for the starter set? Enjoy! You will keep the razor and most likely destroy the starter strop. The good news is that you will learn to strop.
Why not try one of our registered vendors, or simply peruse the b/s/t.
Another suggestion, which worked for me, is put a "WTB" in your signature. There are plenty of members, some who hone, who have some they are willing to part with and will give you a very fair price. I was PIF'd my first, purchased my 2nd by way of a member in this fashion, and then my 3rd I was ready for a brand new one in which I knew exactly what I wanted.
When your ready to pull the trigger, I highly recommend Jarrod at The Superior Shave. His customer service is second to none and provides a very nice edge to start with. He has very fair prices, and you know EXACTLY what you are getting with the pictures/time he spends informing you. Enjoy it! The straight journey is sooo much more rewarding than a DE IMHO.
Good suggestion. Acquiring a straight razor isn't rocket surgery. There are lots of sure-fire ways to go about it.
- Thread starter
- #16
Good tip, thanks
Some of my straights are much better than others, and I'm just talking about the second-handers here ... the vintage ones that I got from established restorers or just from e-bay. Heck, some of my "from a store new or NOS" are better than others.
Shaving with a second-rate straight, compared to a primo one ... well ... let's just say that you can sure tell the difference. I suspect a lot of straight razor shavers, had their first razor been a second-rate instead of first-rate, would have given up in short order on an apparently needlessly complicated method of getting a worse shave than a decent cartridge could deliver. OTOH, starting off with a "wow what a shave"-inducing straight gets you hooked for life.
Old cheap razors may or may not be good, decent, or lousy. It's almost impossible for the rookie to know ... IMHO paying the coin for a known good razor (new or proper restoration of a known-quantity vintage) gives a much higher chance of providing great shaves ... and if the rookie decides it's not for him anyhow, has a pretty decent resale value so the financial cost ends up being not that bad.
Shaving with a second-rate straight, compared to a primo one ... well ... let's just say that you can sure tell the difference. I suspect a lot of straight razor shavers, had their first razor been a second-rate instead of first-rate, would have given up in short order on an apparently needlessly complicated method of getting a worse shave than a decent cartridge could deliver. OTOH, starting off with a "wow what a shave"-inducing straight gets you hooked for life.
Old cheap razors may or may not be good, decent, or lousy. It's almost impossible for the rookie to know ... IMHO paying the coin for a known good razor (new or proper restoration of a known-quantity vintage) gives a much higher chance of providing great shaves ... and if the rookie decides it's not for him anyhow, has a pretty decent resale value so the financial cost ends up being not that bad.
