"Art Of Shaving" Razors

RacerX · 08-17-2008, 12:33 AM

Hello All,
New to the forum. I searched on a few posts regarding AOS TI razors, but as a newbie, I am still unsure if these razors are "shave ready" at the time of purchase. If not, why would they sell razors that could possibly create a poor shave and turn men off to the straight razor experience all together? How would I find a reputable local person here in Chicago to properly hone(?) or sharpen the razor prior to first use? Thanks.

joke1176 · 08-17-2008, 12:39 AM

If they don't say they are shave ready, they aren't.

Just out of curiosity, why a new TI instead of a restore from the forums here? I think you get a LOT more bang for your buck with a restore. Plus the cool factor...

Edit: also, if you are looking at the low end TI ($105), you can get a fantastic restore here on the forums for that price. Or Bill Ellis still has a few razors left, or any of the other guys around here with websites really....

metalhead · 08-17-2008, 12:42 AM

they are not shave ready i was just in the art of shaving yesterday, just to look of course

no money to support my addiction at the momet

RacerX · 08-17-2008, 12:43 AM

I was checking out the classifieds on this site, but it's all "greek" to me. From what I've read so far, I should probably be looking for a 5/8" hollow ground, carbon steel razor. Any pointers?

nun2sharp · 08-17-2008, 12:49 AM

Unless youre into trimming around beards and mustaches, make that razor a round point.

joke1176 · 08-17-2008, 12:49 AM

Oh man, you can't go wrong with anything on the forums, really. I think a 5/8, give or take 1/8 is a great place to start! I think starting with a rounded tip would be best for a beginner, those spike points can do some...detailing to your face if you aren't ready for it.

I like american steel personally, but any of the reputable guys on the forums here will have a great razor that will perform as well or better than a new razor.

joke1176 · 08-17-2008, 12:51 AM

I just browsed through the classifieds, and all the razors on the first 3 pages are well worth consideration.

nun2sharp · 08-17-2008, 12:58 AM

Blackstangal has a hibbard spencer bartlett 5/8 in the classifieds listed for 40$, good price for a newbies first razor.

joke1176 · 08-17-2008, 01:01 AM

I think there's still a Simmons hardware razor available too, I have one and it shaves with the best of em.

Seraphim · 08-17-2008, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RacerX

Hello All,
New to the forum. I searched on a few posts regarding AOS TI razors, but as a newbie, I am still unsure if these razors are "shave ready" at the time of purchase. If not, why would they sell razors that could possibly create a poor shave and turn men off to the straight razor experience all together? How would I find a reputable local person here in Chicago to properly hone(?) or sharpen the razor prior to first use? Thanks.

If you buy one, send it to me, I'll hone it up for you, you just have to pay the postage. Shoot me a PM if interested.

I use diamond lapping film to hone. I'd be interested to see if these "new steel" TI's are any different to hone.

xman · 08-18-2008, 07:38 AM

You've been given good advice so just let me add my voice to the choir of warm welcomes.

X

Labhoncho · 08-25-2008, 04:25 AM

I just bought a new Thiers-Issard razor from The Art of Shaving store here in Glendale. The store manager said they are shave-ready. The box also contains a note that says the razor is shave-ready and should not be stropped until it has been used a few times. That is the advice from T-I. I will follow it unless there are good reasons otherwise.

Any comments by experienced T-I users?

Larry

sicboater · 08-25-2008, 05:03 AM

SAVE YOURSELF!!!

It won't kill you to shave with it, but it is nothing like having the blade truly shave ready. Rest assured that it is no where near it's potential coming straight from AOS or TI. REGARDLESS of what they say in the store or in the box. My advice is, take it for a spin if you can't stand it but only do a small section of easy face like a sideburn or cheek. Get it honed ASAP regardless and enjoy it as a truly nice shaver.

I got my new TI super gnome and shaved with it out of the box, but I didn't expect it to be shave ready as I had read all the info on the site here! As such, I wasn't disappointed when the razor was pulling and the shave wasn't perfect. After I got it honed, the difference was night and day!

Good Luck and congrats on the new blade!

-Rob

Labhoncho · 08-25-2008, 09:27 PM

I did shave with my new T-I razor this morning and it did shave well. I also have a few other razors(Filharmonica, Henkels and a Dovo) that I bought at Ross Cutlery in Los Angeles. They were given a final honing by the shop using a Belgian Coticule stone before I took them home. They shave well also. I can't tell the difference in the quality of shave of the T-I right out of the box and the other razors that were honed by Ross Cutlery. They all shave well.
Larry