What did I buy?

[c0ry]

Admittedly, I am a safety razor guy. However, a local beauty shop was closing and my girlfriend wanted to buy some shampoo. I found a nice shaving section with a bunch of straight razors--I ended up getting this Mehaz straight for $12.52. I saw it was marked Solingen on both the handle and the blade itself and I knew at least that many good razors come from there, so I bought it. Anyone know anything about these razors in terms of quality? Edit: I found the same razor on amazon for $62. Looks like I did well. (http://www.amazon.com/MEHAZ-8%1...sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=beauty&qid=1268968310&sr=8-2)

Also, is there any way of testing if it's shave ready without taking it to my face? I'd be interested in giving straights a try, but not with a razor that isn't shave ready. Thanks!

Pics:

 

[FiveOhNine]

From a few searches I just ran - Mehaz seems to get mentioned in the same breath as Zeepk, so its not looking good so far. Also, I can all but guarantee that it isn't shave ready, assuming its even capable of getting there.

If you want to try a straight, hang around the BST - you'll find a good deal in no time.

 

[dreka]

I don't think the razor is shave ready. You can test the blade on your arm hair. IIRC the hair should "pop" off your arm.

 

[dancraig]

http://www.spilo.com/prd/products_d...+Removal&subcat=Shaving&id=141705559809&srch=

 

[ryanl7640]

Couldn't resist the opportunity to say mehaz no idea. It appears the poster above me nailed it however.

 

[c0ry]

Shoot. Well, good thing it was a $12.52 blunder and not a $62 one. Mehaz no use for such a crappy razor!

 

[dancraig]

Shoot. Well, good thing it was a $12.52 blunder and not a $62 one. Mehaz no use for such a crappy razor!

Good one c0ry.

 

[FiveOhNine]

Nice!

You can use it to practice honing and stropping strokes - as long as you understand it may never develop and edge commensurate with your technique.

 

[conteins]

can he really practice honing and stropping since others have mentioned that they find it dubious that the blade will even take a real edge? he can be doing everything correctly, but get no positive feedback because the steel just sucks, but he'll think it's him and not the steel.

i purchased a cheapo (relatively speaking) beau brummel and swaty for honing practice. that way i know that the steel is good, so if i get negative results, the problem is my technique and not my steel nor stone.

 

[holli4pirating]

One can practice honing and stropping technique (light pressure, keeping even contact, not digging in the edge), but, IMO, that is about all. You won't necessairly know if your honing/stropping are improving the edge.

It should also work as a box cutter, letter opener, rust scraper, etc.

 

[Pete_T]

Actually, it seems that you can get one of those to work.

http://www.straightrazorplace.com/forums/honing/4268-mehaz-razor-4.html

It took some doing, but the op finally got it shaving well.