My first straight razor purchase, your opinions?

[BadgerBadger!]

Hello, I've been using a DE for sometime now and I feel that it's time that I move to final frontier and get myself a straight. I'm not interested in getting a cheap razor, I just want to dive in with a high quality straight razor. Is this recommendable and does it alter the learning curve? The razor I'm interesting in purchasing is this one.

http://theimperialshave.com/thiers-...ip-white-plastic-satin-bijou-de-france-black/

I've heard that the type of steel it uses takes a little more effort to hone because of the hardness of the steel but I've also heard it retains it's edge better as well. Would this razor be okay for a beginner? I'm okay with having to do more laps to hone/strop the steel, so long as it does not require extra expertise.

The steel this razor uses is C135 Carbonsong. I'd plan to use a strop with sharpening paste to hone it, would that be sufficient?

 

[O.G.]

Good choice in razor. I hope you used the free hone since this is your first right. C135 is a headache to hone and sometimes takes multiple attempts. Sharpening paste can be used to maintain your straight for quite sometime but eventually they all will need to hit the stones natural or synthetic. TI does have the paste used to sharpen but eventually the edge may give way to rounding if other steps are not followed correctly.

 

[BadgerBadger!]

I haven't actually bought it yet, but I didn't realize I'd need a stone or synthetic honing piece. I thought I'd be able to get away with paste.

 

[Wid]

If it were me, I would have to suggest a nice vintage off BST to start off with. The TI is a very nice razor but to spend that kind of money on something you might not like isn't something I'd wouldn't advise.

 

[Marco]

Any straight razor has be sharpened on the stones. Pastes, sprays and powder can only refine the edge and prolonge the period between honing sessions, but hones are absolutely necessary.

 

[london]

Have a look at www.whippeddog.com unseen deal, for a round $50 you get a shave ready razor, a leather strop and a loaded balsa strop and then if you like shaving with a straight you can buy a nice one and if you don't you've lost very little.

 

[Kentos]

I would also ask them how their honing it will affect the warranty. There was one issue with either Dovo or Thiers or some other razor where a warped blade wasn't warrantied because it was honed post factory.

 

[gash]

...I'm not interested in getting a cheap razor, I just want to dive in with a high quality straight razor...

With straights, low price and high quality are not mutually exclusive. Actually, many people find inexpensive and/or shabby-looking razors that provide the smoothest, most-comfortable shaves. The razor you posted looks like a very high-quality one...for somebody. That somebody may be you. Or, you may end up finding that you wish it were bigger/shorter/heavier/ground differently/etc. It's like buying a car without ever having driven before. You may buy a big, new Mercedes, only to find that you prefer a smaller, more-nimble Mazda.

The point is that when you're starting out with purchasing straights, the most important job is finding your preferences. A basic, inexpensive, sharp blade is the highest-quality tool for that job. Then, once you've figured out your preferences, the real fun begins, as you hunt for your favorite blade.