Which sites do you guys, and possibly gals, prefer for new blades. I just ordered my first True razor and I am curious about good deals for sampling, any comments would be appreciated.
The few sites that come to mind are TSD, Smallflower.com, Amazon... I know there are more, but that's where I've always looked.
The Shave Den Store BullGoose Shaving West Coast Shaving ShoeBox Shave Shop Shave Tools Sport Shaving MDCSoap Ginger's Garden Click on any of the above. And there's a ton more.
Steve, The Sport Shaving link is pointing to Shave Tools as I type this. http://www.sportshaving.com/
Since I'm Canadian I'll toss in my favourites too http://www.fendrihan.com http://www.italianbarber.com
I usually go to these sites, as I have found them to have the largest selection: Shoebox Shaveshop Connaught Shaving Razor Blades and More
ALL the above suggested sites are excellent. As far as blades are concerned I'll generally start my search with amazon and ebay to get as large a variety of prices as I can..Make sure to check the shipping costs,they can sometimes vary considerably between vendors....I always suggest getting a large blade sample pk, the more different blades you can try in the beginning the better I.M.O.....I've found many good sellers hunting on ebay "razor blades and more" being one that comes to mind....
I would advice caution on Sport Shaving. In the other forum I frequent, members have mentioned that the razors are over-polished to the level of stripping the plating. For example, look at the New long comb bar handle razors: http://www.sportshaving.com/razors.html The plating applied by Gillette on the head of the New LC razors are notoriously thin, and the New LC razor heads on sport shaving website have all been stripped of plating exposing the bare metal and hence the "dual contrast". And the prices for New LC razors in sport shaving are 52$, for a razor that can be had for around 10-20$ in eBay.
Well, he's obviously not trying to hide or deceive - the pics tell the whole story of what you're getting. He's asking what he's asking; it comes down to someone wanting the razor or not. Personally, I like the looks of that LC.
I recently had to block the guy who started the conversation you mentioned on B&B because of abusive language, but if you read further you will see that there are 4 or 5 other buyers after him saying that they received full disclosure on every razor they purchased and were completely satisfied. This Gent has also never purchased from me and is a seller on eBay. I did not reply to that conversation, but I would like to speak in my defense here. I honestly try my very best to list any and all flaws I see. Part of the beauty of razor restoration is being able to take something that most people would look as trash and bring it back to life, turning it into something desirable that any enthusiast would want to shave with or put in there collection. Almost all of the Gillette 'New' razors I have came across are in fair condition with major finish loss and scratches. I do not believe that because a razor has finish loss that is no good any more, especially if it can be cleaned, polished, and brought back to life and that is the beauty of a restoration. Finish loss is the nature of the beast and I do not claim to sell razors with all of their finish in tact, in fact, I always state that if my razors are missing finish, where exactly they are and how much and if they have been polished to a mirror shine or not. If the finish is still completely in tact I will inform buyers of that in my description. I do not try nor want to deceive anyone. If I say that a razor has been cleaned, polished, and sterilized than you will get from me a razor that truly has had some TLC put into it and is actually sterile, not just rinsed with alcohol or barbecide. I will always offer a 100% refund to any customer who purchases from me, even if they have used the razor before returning. I am not in the hobby solely for the money, as I have an excellent full-time job, this is a hobby I truly enjoy doing and I treat my razors and customers as so.
There is a lot of subterfuge on the forums, particularly on one that I have seen, including astroturfing and vendors trying to throw perceived competition under the wheels. A bit of sock puppetry, too, and it's getting so that one can't believe half of what is written on the forums. And why not? For many sellers and advertising entities, it is all about the $$$. Hobbyists are often seen as a threat as much as an opportunity, a bad and self-destructive take on things by professional retailers and wannabe retailers IMHO. Hey guys, any Internet purchase involves unknowns. Unless you see well documented (specific, logical, well-reasoned, relevant and with photos) reviews stating the contrary, then Sport Shaving (or any other seller) might be well worth a roll of the dice.
