what's a good NEW straight razor to get and hand down as a heirloom to my son

Gotta be new, not vintage

Can't have anything disagreeable in the handle (no ivory, diamonds, gold, animal shells, etc.)

cost is no factory, because Dr. Fitness' wallet is fat:happy102

 

checkthe trade/sale forum

 

Money is no object?

I would buy something like this.

http://www.straightrazordesigns.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7_39&products_id=561

 

Joe Chandler makes good NEW straight razors: http://www.straightrazordesigns.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=8

 

is Damascus steel really that much nicer to shave with?

 

What do you mean?

Are you talking about comparing the difference in shaving with damascus steel against another particular steel to the difference between the price of a particular razor against the price of another particular razor?

I have not shaved with a damascus steel razor - it seems to be generally agreed among those (on internet forums) who have shaved with damascus and other kinds of steel as well that the quality of honing is the non-shaver factor which determines the quality of the resulting shave rather than the steel itself

 

Some mighty pretty stuff here:http://www.shavingshop.com/index.php?maincat=8 Good razors and excellent service. (disclaimer: I have no interest in this business, I'm just a completely satisfied repeat customer).
________

 

Damascus steel is usually a much harder to get a good shave with. The folding of multiple levels of steel makes it easier to have a rough edge.
The general believe:
carbon steel easier to sharpen
stainless steel, harder to sharpen longer edge retention.
Damascus steel looks great, harder to get a smooth edge.

These are general statements.

Crom

 

I would get him a Filarmonica #13 DT and then have it rescaled...

of course, I'm biased... but take a look at mine. I would certainly call it an heirloom item and it gives a great shave:

 

Money no object

If money is no object then a Thiers Issard custom 7 day set in the burl elm box has got to be it ! Such beauty and and the best british steels.

 

It's too bad it's gotta be new, 'cause there are a lot of older blades out there that, when restored, are just as good as a new blade.

But if your mind's made up, two of the more common and well-thought-of makers are Dovo and Thiers-Issard. You can find both at www.classicshaving.com or http://www.executive-shaving.co.uk.