Gentlemen,
I am brand new to straight razor shaving. Getting a "real" barbershop shave was on my bucket list, so I found a local barber that could do it.It was fun but cost me $40.00. Once was enough. I decided to learn how to do itmyself. And I did.
My biggest accomplishment is not having cut myself so bad that I bledout on the bathroom floor. It's really not all that hard and a heck of a lot offun. That's the good news.
The bad news is that buying straight razors can be addicting. Adding to the problem, Bill Gate invented computers and some kid thought upE-Bay. That is a deadly combination; especially for me. I have too much money(when Momma isn't watching) and too few brains. I am afraid I have been takento the cleaners. But as the saying goes; "fool me once, shame on you, foolme twice, shame on me."
BOTTOM LINE: I would really like some help/advice before I throw good moneyafter bad.
I just bought a Filarmonica. I had been looking "online" and on E-bay and saw the darn things priced at almost a ThousandDollars, so I figured for them to cost that much, they must be one of the beststraight razors out there. So I bought one - paid $300.00. This morning I spoketo my first straight razor enthusiast. He told me a Filarmonica is not worthspit. And he seemed very knowledgeable about straight razors. I also bought aPuma and paid another $300.00. I was afraid (embarrassed) to even ask aboutthat one!!!
Realizing that any responses will be subjective, I would really like someadvice. In a couple of days I will bid on what I think are several high endstraight razors. I do not mind paying the money if the razors are worth theprice. But I don't want to get taken again. I am going to be in enough troubleonce my wife finds out how much I have already spent!!!
Here are my specific questions:
1. Filarmonica. I bought a sub-cero for$300.00. How bad did I get screwed?
2. Puma. I bought a 1 5/8 Puma for$325.00. Did I get screwed?
3. Is Wade-Butcher a really good razor? I found a vintage Wade-Butcherwith real ivory scales. Photos look like the razor is in excellent condition tobe over 100 years old. Is $500.00 too much to spend?
4. A Theirs-Issard "singing" razor, compared to a Theirs-Issard7/8. Like the Wade-Butcher, both razors look to be in excellent condition fortheir age. They have been used, but the blades and scaleson both look spotless in the photos. The seller claims both razors are "almost"Mint. Of course being "almost" Mint is like being just "alittle" pregnant! Which razor is the best value (best razor)? Is $500.00too much to spend for either one of them (I would not buy both).
5. Is Theirs-Issard really one of the very best razors out there?
I want to thank you in advance for any suggestions/comments.As stated previously, I understand any responses would be subjective and basedon personal experience. But I have NO experience so I will take any advice Ican get. Frank
I am brand new to straight razor shaving. Getting a "real" barbershop shave was on my bucket list, so I found a local barber that could do it.It was fun but cost me $40.00. Once was enough. I decided to learn how to do itmyself. And I did.
My biggest accomplishment is not having cut myself so bad that I bledout on the bathroom floor. It's really not all that hard and a heck of a lot offun. That's the good news.
The bad news is that buying straight razors can be addicting. Adding to the problem, Bill Gate invented computers and some kid thought upE-Bay. That is a deadly combination; especially for me. I have too much money(when Momma isn't watching) and too few brains. I am afraid I have been takento the cleaners. But as the saying goes; "fool me once, shame on you, foolme twice, shame on me."
BOTTOM LINE: I would really like some help/advice before I throw good moneyafter bad.
I just bought a Filarmonica. I had been looking "online" and on E-bay and saw the darn things priced at almost a ThousandDollars, so I figured for them to cost that much, they must be one of the beststraight razors out there. So I bought one - paid $300.00. This morning I spoketo my first straight razor enthusiast. He told me a Filarmonica is not worthspit. And he seemed very knowledgeable about straight razors. I also bought aPuma and paid another $300.00. I was afraid (embarrassed) to even ask aboutthat one!!!
Realizing that any responses will be subjective, I would really like someadvice. In a couple of days I will bid on what I think are several high endstraight razors. I do not mind paying the money if the razors are worth theprice. But I don't want to get taken again. I am going to be in enough troubleonce my wife finds out how much I have already spent!!!
Here are my specific questions:
1. Filarmonica. I bought a sub-cero for$300.00. How bad did I get screwed?
2. Puma. I bought a 1 5/8 Puma for$325.00. Did I get screwed?
3. Is Wade-Butcher a really good razor? I found a vintage Wade-Butcherwith real ivory scales. Photos look like the razor is in excellent condition tobe over 100 years old. Is $500.00 too much to spend?
4. A Theirs-Issard "singing" razor, compared to a Theirs-Issard7/8. Like the Wade-Butcher, both razors look to be in excellent condition fortheir age. They have been used, but the blades and scaleson both look spotless in the photos. The seller claims both razors are "almost"Mint. Of course being "almost" Mint is like being just "alittle" pregnant! Which razor is the best value (best razor)? Is $500.00too much to spend for either one of them (I would not buy both).
5. Is Theirs-Issard really one of the very best razors out there?
I want to thank you in advance for any suggestions/comments.As stated previously, I understand any responses would be subjective and basedon personal experience. But I have NO experience so I will take any advice Ican get. Frank