Hello everyone I hope all are well. I am looking at saving my penny's and buying a proper straight razor. For the past 3 years I have been using nothing but my feather artist club ss and I love it. But I love the thought of having a real straight. I have 4 young children so the ss fits perfectly with my lifestyle. I have been looking at the Thiers Issard spartacus. 7/8 the one with the ridges on the spine. This might sound stupid but I want something that looks propper bad a**. I am in the UK and I know Sheffield steel is or was quite a major player in the world of razors ect so I don't know if anyone can recommend anything from the UK. Thanks for your time Nathan Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk
I'm kind of new to the Straight razors too, but if saving money is a priority, then decorative Theirs Issards are not the way to go. Unless you luck into one for a very good price. There are many things to consider, if you want to save money. My suggestion is to find a strop first. Next, find an inexpensive "Shave Ready" Razor, from someone trusted. Use this for a few weeks, and see if Straight Razors are what you want. If this is your thing, then dive right in. Look over this thread, it might help a little, or not: http://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/inexpensive-straights-hones-strops-etc-for-beginners.52233/
Thanks for the reply I'm not looking to scrimp on the razor I meant I will save up to buy it Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk
Then I would still buy one from a trusted seller, that sells Turkey shave ready razors. Or buy the razor you like, and send it to someone and have it honed properly. The Theirs Issards are excellent razors, from what I've read. Several members own them, and love them. They are top notch. I would get the strop first, while you are trying to find the razor. Dovo also makes some very nice razors.
Well - I have a recommendation, not UK though but Austria: Koraat razors Ulrik, the owner, is a super-nice guy and his razors are DEFINITELY shave-ready when you receive them He sells a few standard models (his Meatchopper is a pretty cool knife for sure), but specializes in custom made straights. There's a configurator on his website, so you can basically build your own razor there - just as badass as you want it to be. Just take a look at his Gallery BTW: I love my recently acquired Feather SS
I have two koraat's and can absolutly recommend them.my first was a basic II near wedge.it's the cheapest he make and a very good razor.it's a sqare point but the point is muted so less risk for cutting.if you want a sharp point he will make it for you at no extra charge.
In the UK You Wont Go Wrong with Windrose...I have Bought a Number of NOS Shave Ready SRs form these Guys & Everybody I Have Put on to them are Delighted with their 1st Class Services..You will Find it Hard to get a Better Shave Ready SR than Here..Their Hone Jobs are Just Superb.. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/262633206149?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT Billy..
Lots of amazing vintage brands came out of England. Wade and Butcher, Joseph Rodgers, Geo Wostenholm to name a few. If your looking for new, Revisor, Ralph Aust, Wacker and Thiers Issard all make great razors. The important part is shave ready. Lots of people claim shave ready and do not deliver. Get it pro honed by a reputable straight razor shaver.
Touch base with @Jamie Mahoney he is in the UK also, he might have something, or like @Billyfergie did be able to point you toward a trusted source... Welcome to the Dark Side !!!
While I may not have quite as much experience with straights as some of these other gentlemen, I will add another plug for Koraat. I just acquired one, and it is top notch.
I'm going to go a different direction and suggest you hunt eBay and get a variety of really good razors. You can probably get a half dozen for what you'd spend for a custom Koraat. The reason I say this is you don't have the experience yet to know what you'll actually like best - there's a lot of variation out there. Check out post #27 on this thread from @gssixgun to get an idea of what I'm talking about. Once you've shaved with a variety of different grinds and widths you'll be better prepared to choose what you want to spend money on.
I agree. I'm still in the "Test everything within my reach" phase. It seems I prefer heavy Japanese Swedish Steel razors.
I also have a Koraat. It was custom made but the price reasonable and turnaround time was very quick, including shipping three weeks to Seoul. You may also want to check the BST thread and see if there is something that you like.
Agree on this,but you need to know what to look for when buying cheap razors of ebay.many have heavy hone wear, are thrown, honed out toe/ heel etc.you can end up buying a bunch of useless razors.but there are som sellers that have very good razors that are truley shave ready.these are not the cheapest.but still less than a new.
Oh great - I should definitely quit reading here just visited their website, got hooked - and I think I will order one of their razors as a christmas gift to myself. Beautiful stuff.
I just went thru the Portland Razor Co site. Very nice looking razors. If I bought one of those, all my old beater blades might rebel, and slice me to pieces. I can't take that chance. Buuuut, they sure are pretty.
Excellent point. But if you spend $40 - $80 each (and avoid the cheapies) you can acquire a very nice small collection of different grinds, widths, and points for less than a new custom razor. @Bjoerge Brathagen has provided a good list of some of the things to avoid. Also look for cracks or chips in the blade (look carefully) and cracks in the scales - especially by the pins. Be sure to ask questions of the seller if you have doubts or questions. You might also want to review the What Straight Razor Did You Use Today to get an idea of the variety of great razors out there that don't require a lot of money.
These are all excellent points. If looking on eBay for vintage, there are a number of honest sellers that have shave ready straights that you can get reasonable price. I've picked up 2 from one seller for under $30 each that were in great shape and truly shave ready. On the other hand, I have one from another seller that was advertised as shave ready and it couldn't cut butter!
You might do a "Want to buy" ad in the classifieds. I know a few of us have more razors than we need, and might be willing to get one to a new home.
