Nice score Tom!

Thanks Steve. And a beautiful pair of French beauties you have coming.

New to these I am. I have 2 shaves under my belt with minimal damage done!
I didn't like the Soft Guard blade so, I shaved with a Light Blade. Pro-Guard blades will be here Monday

Keep at it, it gets better!

I placed a $10 bid on this. I figure it would be a cheepie to practice sharpening/honing with. One piece at a time. Need a strop and stones (I have not looked yet)

Oh dear, the force is strong in this one, Obi-Won, and the rabbit hole quite deep!

Also this one with a max bid of $15. Both are said to be vintage

I would caution you away from EBay razors, but you’re going to do what you’re going to do. Good luck! You’ll do much better at the Sharp Razor Palace BST.

I figured that if I can get one real cheep, I would rather destroy that one than an expensive one. I just won the High Grade for $16 including shipping. The other has an hour to go and I have $5.95 bid holding the lead. I picked these because they look like the edge is not too bad in the photos. And, for less than $20, why not?

From what I have read, I should start with a 4000 & and 8000 stones. Maybe next month I get stones and strop. Or rob my piggy bank and get next. I like a challenge and am willing to try anything once.
Sharp Razor Palace? It looks like a forum.

Agree

There’s nothing wrong with eBay razors if you have the knowledge to understand what you are seeing - versus what they are telling you.

Well, if my cousin does have my grandpa's razor, it will probably be in the same condition since he is not a shaver. He has a full beard. Practice on junk before trying & destroying a valuable one. So, I should back away from straight razor? Stick with the Feather DX? OK, I will coat the razors with mineral oil to protect them and store them....I own one now it seems....I will probably own another as well before the night is done.

I am a mechanic, musician, artist. I am good with my hands. I am willing to try and learn.
I guess I am that sucker born every minute...

. Len’s razors go for $25-40 and are guaranteed shave ready.

Quite true, Steve! We’re in agreement! @Hogie is a new member and new to wet shaving. As a mentor over on the shave school thread, I was just trying to look out for him. But all I can offer is advice based on experience.

You’re doing fine, your objectives and tolerances are quite a bit different from most new people, so maybe ‘standard’ advice is not what you need.

But don’t blame the advice givers!

I should keep quiet but, I also have 10 bucks holding a Puma. The owner is selling his collection. Auction runs til Saturday so, I will most likely lose it. Nice case too.
I'm a sucker for shiny objects!

Almost all my Straight Razors have come from eBay. But, you definitely have to know what to look for, and what they are worth. Also, look carefully at the photos, before bidding.

I won't get into something that I cannot maintain on my own. I don't want to get a nice one that will need to be sharpened in a few months. I would probably destroy the razor trying myself.
I will back away from straight razors then. I will use the Feather DX once in a while and pretend. That is close enuff to the real thing.

At any rate, I am getting so close with the Flatboy razor, why change from a safety razor? I don't need to shave today because it got me so close yesterday. At my age, why fix what ain't broke?

I was just game for something new.

Discouraged, I am...

I have been reading some of the sharpening/honing threads. Maybe this ain't for me?LOT of chances to destroy your razor it seems...not easy to learn.
Also, from my reading, I will probably not ever aquire the skill needed to get as close of a shave as I get with the DE razors in the time I have left on this planet! It takes YEARS! I don't have years. I won't spend any more on straight razor stuff.

I have 2 straight razors on the way from ebay with less than 20 bucks invested between the two. I will let the other 2 i have bids on go if I lose the bidding.

My 2 straights will be non-shavers. I have the Feather DX if I get a lust for a straight razor shave.

Just acquire the proper stones, not the cheapest ones, maybe three inexpensive good quality razors, and practice. It isn't that time consuming. Just practice, have an open mind and listen to those who know how to hone. Also, don't get offended when they tell you you are doing something wrong. A few weeks of trial and error. Patience Grasshopper.

This was my plan. Buy old out of shape razors and practice. From my reading, I see there are LOTS of chances to mess up! I never heard of using tape. It makes sense tho. Each razor is different and I need to learn what to look for in a used, old blade.

I am game to try!