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Looking to buy my first Straight

R

Raoul_Duke

Hi all,

My first post here, delighted to find such a great forum. Anyway, I have been shaving with a DE razor for the past year and I love it but I am now eager to get my first Straight Razor. I have been doing a bit of research and I have been quite impressed by Thiers Issard Razors.

Thing is, I am finding it quite hard to find websites where I can buy one that is shave ready. Have you guys got any suggestions?

I want to buy a new quality razor that will last me a lifetime. My budget is around €200(euro) or $260(dollars)

Any suggestions greatly appreciated.
 
Seraphim

Seraphim

Don't blow $250 on your first razor. Buy something $50-$100 and find out how you like it. Try full hollow razors, try old wedges, try 5/8 razors, try 7/8 razors.

You can get an array of vintage razors (BST or the Hobbyist/Vendor classifieds here at B&B) for the same money you would be dropping on that single TI.

Razors are like wine, they all have their different character, none is the best, some you will prefer over others.
 
Firewalker

Firewalker

I would go with Whipped Dog for a first and then have a Gold Dollar honed up for you. If you mess up the edge on either one, its no big loss but if you drop that Thiers Issard and it shatters or chips... :thumbdown
 
R

Raoul_Duke

Well I am not going to buy a second hand one so where should I look for a new one? I'm based in Ireland by the way.
 
oakeshott

oakeshott

agree with Seraphim and Firewalker. Get a WD sight unseen deal and see if you like it first. Then there is an endless rabbithole of gear you can buy.

If you really love it, btw, you won't be satisfied with one razor.
 
Mike H

Mike H

Instagram Famous
Why would you not buy second hand?

If you want new, look at a Dovo, or a Theirs Issard. Make sure it is really shave ready, not just "Factory Shave Ready"

You will need a strop too.
 
Firewalker

Firewalker

Raoul_Duke said:
Well I am not going to buy a second hand one so where should I look for a new one? I'm based in Ireland by the way.
Click to expand...

Then have a Gold Dollar honed up for you. They have great steel and shave every bit as nice as a high buck razor. Hell, if you want to spend cash, give me $100.00 and I will custom a GD for you with Cocobolo scales and put a mirror finish on it for you.
 
AjaxLepinski

AjaxLepinski

Here's a UK Thiers Issard link: http://www.thiers-issard.co.uk/thiers-issardstraightrazors.html?gclid=CJT6u9nM5rUCFWpnOgodpWEAvA

Nothing wrong buying new... however, it's a good idea to also buy an inexpensive razor with which to practice your honing skills.
A razor is like having a dog, it's an investment in time and money. You will need a strop and will have to keep it sharp with either film or stones.
A lot of people give it up when they realize that there is a time consuming, maintenance aspect. This is why your B&B buddies have recommended going cheap on your first straight.
Nevertheless, I say, let your wallet flop out and get exactly what you'd like!!! Have fun!!! :thumbup:
 
Last edited:
Seraphim

Seraphim

AjaxLepinski said:
Here's a UK Thiers Issard link: http://www.thiers-issard.co.uk/thiers-issardstraightrazors.html?gclid=CJT6u9nM5rUCFWpnOgodpWEAvA

Nothing wrong buying new... however, it's a good idea to also buy an inexpensive razor with which to practice your honing skills.
A razor is like having a dog, it's an investment in time and money. You will need a strop and will have to keep it sharp with either film or stones.
A lot of people give it up when they realize that there is a time consuming, maintenance aspect. This is why your B&B buddies have recommended going cheap on your first straight.
Nevertheless, I say, let your wallet flop out and get exactly what you'd like!!! Have fun!!! :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Another point:

I never ascribed to the idea of a "beginner straight". Buy a razor that appeals to YOU.

Many would recommend a roundpoint 5/8"

If I started with a roundpoint 5/8 I would have given up out of shear boredom! My first ever straight was a 7/8 Henckels Friodur. Nice and big and beefy. I loved it! My tip preference these days tends towards the extreme...but that's a different story...


All I'm saying is that if you blow your entire budget on a single razor, you won't also be able to enjoy the variety that comes from owning/trying different types of razors.
 
AjaxLepinski

AjaxLepinski

Seraphim said:
Another point:If I started with a roundpoint 5/8 I would have given up out of shear boredom!
Click to expand...

+1 get a French Point or a Spike Point. You'll be able to get under your nose and put a nice end on your sideburns. This type of point is a bit more dangerous but, danger is what it's all about!
+1 Henckels Friodur 17 - an exceptional razor! I bought mine from a guy in Japan on ebay - I believe he still has a few left and it's in your price range (search for Henckels 17) if you're inclined.
 
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Monsieur Blaireau

Monsieur Blaireau

I did a quick Ebay search for Henkels 17 and I don't think I could shave with this, no matter who honed it:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KURT-HENKEL...0925315?pt=Music_on_Vinyl&hash=item589cfca603

OP asked for a site where he could find something shave ready, and he wants to spend Euros. http://www.rasurpur.de/english/ I know nothing about that site, other than that it's in Germany and I've seen it mentioned in other posts. And, of course, I've spent more time than I'd care to admit checking out his razors.

Now, to get off topic, I get Seraphim's point against the concept of a "beginner razor." At the same time, it's easy to fall prey to the notion that you'll ultimately end up with just one razor: THE razor. Why not just jump to the front of the cue and get that one to start off with? So goes the logic, anyway. I think OP might be thinking that way, which is understandable. But it misses a lot of the fun.

I'm trying to find a way to put this without falling into shopworn self-help jargon, but I can't, so what the hell: it's a journey. Taking it requires patience. Patience while you learn how to do it. Patience while, with one razor in hand, your mind wanders to the shave you might get from any number of the other razors you haven't yet tried.

Patience while you see whether you'll get to the point where you realize it isn't about the razor at all. I mean, properly honed, maybe you could shave with a vinyl disc. Or not. Just sayin'.

What somebody said to me about guitars seems apt here: you only need one ... more.

Welcome to the forum. It's going to save you all kinds of money.
 
Seraphim

Seraphim

Number of guys who have been straight shaving for longer than a month that own only a single razor:



ZERO!

Number of guys who have saved money by switching to straight razors:

ZERO!


Number of guys who haven't gotten in trouble with their wives/girlfriends due to the amount of shave junk accumulating in the bathroom:
ZERO!
 
noahpictures

noahpictures

@Raol Duke, I'd get a Thiers Issard if your mind is set on buying new. Send it to get it honed and buy a three inch wide strop. Welcome to B&B!

AjaxLepinski said:
...Henckels Friodur 17 - an exceptional razor! I bought mine from a guy in Japan on ebay - I believe he still has a few left and it's in your price range (search for Henckels 17) if you're inclined.
Click to expand...

+1

Friodur razors are great. There are still misconceptions floating around about stainless razors being unforgiving and difficult to hone. I find them easy to hone and very smooth shavers. Another misconception is that full hollow razors are better than other grinds; I understand that full hollow sounds better than "half" hollow but to assume that one is better than the other is a mistake. I regret not shaving with heavier grind (wedge, near wedge) razors when I was starting out.

I agree with Seraphim, there is no such thing as a "beginner straight razor". They are all for everyone to use.
 
C

Cashn

I bought a dovo black star 5/8 full hollow to start off with about 5 months ago, shortly after bought an 8/8 1/4 grind. Have bought many more since. Point being is I paid 150 for the brand new dovo and I need to put it up for sale for the lack of me using it. If your patient you can find many great razors for 50-100$ in the b/s/t section. Will give you the ability to try different grinds and sizes for much cheaper than buying new. There's so many variables to straight shaving and you just won't know what you like till you try it.
 
daflorc

daflorc

Raoul_Duke said:
Well I am not going to buy a second hand one so where should I look for a new one? I'm based in Ireland by the way.
Click to expand...

Most people when considering shaving with a straight razor want a brand new razor. After they buy one, they have to learn how to use it, hone it, and maintain it. In the process, they read about all the cool vintage razors with unique histories behind them, and by now they're so interested that it becomes a hobby, and most become collectors.

My very first razor was a 6/8 Dovo Astrale. Now, I wish I had asked my ex-girlfriend to buy me a vintage 8/8 celebrated W/B from about 1870 or so, because at the time, you could still find nice ones for the $120 she spent on the Dovo...
 
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