I am going to take the plunge into straight razors

[Thomas]

Originally Posted by cldpsu

(...)
What do you think about the quality of a carbon steel? I am considering getting the art of shaving kit (not sure yet how to tell what my skin is like) and might get the black 105 dollar straight razor... after having it honed properly.. do you think it would prove worthy?

What are the downfalls of a 100 dollar straight razor or a carbon steel material..? After seeing 700 dollar razors on classic shaving i feel like 100 is crap or something lol. I take it the material of the handle adds a lot to the price though.

First, price is not necessarily indicative of quality. I've yet to spend over $100 on a razor, and some of my best shavers came to me used for $20-50. Anything over $200 has a lot of handwork and/or exotic materials, which may or may not translate into a better shave.

Now, steel quality is a factor, but it's fairly simple (sort of...). There's carbon, and there's stainless. Steels will vary by manufacturer and by region, but for the most part - Solingen and Sheffield are two areas that come to mind for quality steels. Then again, I've had good luck with Poland (Wapienica), Spain (Filarmonica), and France (Thiers-Issard) as far as production razors go. There are other possibilities with steels (Damascus, etc) but those generally inhabit the higher price points.

 

[cldpsu]

Well the art of shaving has that carbon steel thiers-issard I am considering getting. It's $105. Thanks for the help by the way.

 

[MCsommerreid]

Originally Posted by cldpsu

Well the art of shaving has that carbon steel thiers-issard I am considering getting. It's $105. Thanks for the help by the way.

If its anything like other AoS products, don't. They're like the Bose of shaving: good products, but massively jacked up prices.

Get a dovo from classic shaving, or research a bit and grab a vintage razor off ebay.

 

[cldpsu]

Yeah I've been looking. How do you decide what thickness you need?

 

[Opcn]

That is probably an ok price for that razor, $10-15 too much at the most.

the courser your beard the heavier a Razor you are going to want; however starting out a wide blade is reportedly hard to wield so you should go for a 5/8 or 6/8 and keep in mind that the heavier razors (wedges and 1/4 hollow grounds) will be more forgiving of bad technique but less close shaving in the long run. TI's hold their edges well, but you will have to get what ever Razor you buy hand honed, something AOS probably doesn't do.

 

[Thomas]

I've gotten good shaves from blades from 4/8 to 7/8, although I've certainly cut myself more with the 7/8. Lately I've been using an old half-hollow 5/8 Wade & Butcher and have had some fantastic shaves with it.

You might look into straightrazorplace or badgerandblade, members tend to sell razors from time to time, and most will hone them for you so there's no question that they're shave ready.

 

[cldpsu]

Thanks for th advice but I'm most likely going to buy from classicshaving and have them hone it for the additional 20 bucks

 

[Opcn]

Originally Posted by cldpsu

Thanks for th advice but I'm most likely going to buy from classicshaving and have them hone it for the additional 20 bucks

The fellow who hones for Classic shaving is the fellow who runs Straight Razor Place, so essentially you are taking his advice, only with a new blade.

 

[Sartorian]

Originally Posted by Opcn

The fellow who hones for Classic shaving is the fellow who runs Straight Razor Place, so essentially you are taking his advice, only with a new blade.


His name is Lynn, I believe. FWIW, when I used to frequent the group, he would hone most people's razors for free, as long as we paid shipping. At the time, his advice was the same. I'd guess ClassicShaving makes as much off the service as he does, if not more.

 

[LabelKing]

Yes, Lynn Abrams.

I had him hone a Dubl Duck razor of mine.

 

[Opcn]

Classic Shaving just sent me a 7/8 singing TI hand honed by Lynn.