Straight Razors: To Repro or Not to Repro

[J_V]

Hello everyone,

I am curious to know what your experiences are with original straight razors and whether folks actually use them. I am asking because I have not been all that excited about the reproductions I have seen.

Is it your sense that there are there enough antiques in good enough condition to actually use in reenacting? Obviously, one does not want to shave with a rusty, dull blade, but I would think that there are some that can be cleaned up and sharpened enough to be used.

Is there anything I'm missing here?

Thank you.

[stx]

Re: Straight Razors: To Repro or Not to Repro

I bought an original for my brother at an antique store that looked like it was in fairly good condition, but in order to get it into working condition he has to send it out to a specialist on account of no one having the skill to do it in his area. He ended up buying a repro and just using that instead.

[Marylander in Grey]

Re: Straight Razors: To Repro or Not to Repro

Nothing like it. I have several original Sheffields. I use them all the time when not in beard.

[J. Donaldson]

Re: Straight Razors: To Repro or Not to Repro

I've toyed with the idea of getting a straight razor for home use (non-disposable, environmental reasons), and after some research, there are only three or four good European blades on the market today, and a non-period razor set up will cost you a couple of hundred dollars. Most cheap blades on the market, including reproductions, are made in China and have issues with "waviness" in the blade and poor materials that can't keep an edge. Finding a usable antique might be a needle in a haystack, but if you have an older barber in your area who was actually trained in the use and care of a razor as part of barber college, he might be able to give you some advice on care and maintenance, or even how to bring an old blade back to life. IIRC, Solingen and Sheffield manfactured blades are the best quality, so you might wish to keep an eye out for those.

[Spinster]

Re: Straight Razors: To Repro or Not to Repro

Here's the classic 2004 thread on the subject.

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3488&highlight=straight+razor

Here's the working link that no longer works in the thread.

http://www.classicshaving.com/Home.html

And while (real) Col. Keith Bartsch has been gone from this forum so long he is listed as "guest", he still shaves with a straight razor every day. Being that he is a now a lawyer, I imagine that there are still folks who like to watch, in hopes of seeing blood.:tounge_sm

[J_V]

Re: Straight Razors: To Repro or Not to Repro

Many thanks to all for the constructive replies.