Are these decent straight razors?

Yellow Jim

Yellow Jim

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1,673
Well after reading all the threads about peoples "struggles" learning to shave with a straight, I decided I might as well join in. I don't know what came over me but somehow I convinced myself that I needed to buy these two razors.

Vintage 5/8 “ seal cut throat razor Solingen NOS

vintage 4/8 “ cut throat razor Solingen NOS

I think I was particularly taken with the little seal and thought if I was buying one I might as well get another. So first thing first, did I waste my money? Second, are they good razors for a beginner? Thirdly, am I going to end up slicing my face up?

James
 
I like them, I know nothing about them though, but I'm sure Neil will chip in.

4/8 & 5/8 are sizes I like, and they look in very good condition, I do however recommend they go for a trip to Neil before doing anything with them.
Once honed, they should do you very well. By the looks f it they just need that, a simple hone, so won't cost you an appendage. :p

Good luck! And if you're persistant enough you'll get there :p

Max
 
LOL, I'll let you know, I pulled the trigger on one earlier :mrgreen:<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330525071311&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWNX:IT</a><!-- m --> £30.50 + plausible reason for NOS I thought I'd take a punt and there is a positive review of Seehund's on SRP
 
The 4/8 is a Garantie from Solingen and those are good - to very good razors, in my experience. As for the size of the blade - I think the size of the tang is more important, if to tender in combination with large or medium sized hands/fingers you could get problems moving it steadly.
 
Thank you for the info gents. I'll definitely send them off to Neil to be honed first. In the meantime, I best read up on straight razor shaving and watch a few videos.
 
I also bought a 5/8 "Garanti Solingen" razor from this chap. It turned up today and I must say I'm very happy with it. The scales are a little slack but it's extremely sharp and, while I haven't done a full shave with it yet, it shaves hair very comfortably. Good value for money :cool:

Edit: to add to this, I've just given it a few strokes on a coticule and a good strop and it's shaving beautifully :D
 
Mine has arrived and like Phil's the scales are looser than I would like but I suspect 2 minutes with a peen hammer will resolve that. As described in the ad the scales have a few light scuff marks from being in a draw for some time. It would be nice to buff those out if possible, would metal polish be too abrasive?

The bevel seems OK when looked at with my loupe but there is a light spot of corrosion which it might strop off, we shall see, but I shall try stropping and shaving. The rest of the blade looks good other than a couple of slight spots of corrosion on the spine and tang which should polish out.
 
Mine also turned up today. The scales are nice and tight on the two that I purchased. I'm going to send them to Neil to be honed as I've absolutely zero experience with straights and I want to give myself the best chance of success. Will also need to pick up a strop and then pluck up the courage to put them to my face.

Where's the best place to pick up a beginners strop? From Neil?
 
Yep get one of Neils basic strops they are great and they are cheap enough that if you knick it with the razor while you learn you won't be heart broken.

Although it seems daunting to start with just remember that just over 100 years ago it was how everyone shaved.
 
FrenchBlade said:
Yellow Jim said:
Where's the best place to pick up a beginners strop? From Neil?
Click to expand...
Yes, ask for a basic bridle strop, and try 3", nice width.

Max
Click to expand...

Cheers gents. I've PMed Neil to ask about honing and to purchase a strop. In the mean time, any good resources to learn about the type of grip to use and the type of strokes to make?
 
you tube is the best place for different ways on holding the razor have a look here <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://straightrazorplace.com/srpwiki/index.php/Different_ways_to_hold_a_straight_razor" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://straightrazorplace.com/srpwiki/i ... ight_razor</a><!-- m -->
 
Tried my "Seehund" tonight, bearing in mind that its NOS and I have no idea how long its been knocking around it was mighty sharp.....BUT not quite as sharp as I would want, that said I suspect its as good as it was from the factory. So to the hones it will be but I'm quite sure that its going to be a lovely shaver. :mrgreen:
 
Yellow Jim said:
Cheers gents. I've PMed Neil to ask about honing and to purchase a strop. In the mean time, any good resources to learn about the type of grip to use and the type of strokes to make?
Click to expand...

Here´s Shams vid on how to hold the razor (and it´s a good overall stropping vid, I think):
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mj5YliQQzg[/youtube]

And SRP:s stropping room is good too:
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.straightrazorplace.com/forums/strops/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.straightrazorplace.com/forums/strops/</a><!-- m -->
 
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