Zertone Straight Razor Wood and Metal Combination Scale - Sharp, Carbon Steel Cutthroat Straight Edge Blade (Gold and Black)

Short story: I like this razor. I would definitely recommend this for anyone who shaves with a DE and is wanting to get into straight razors. It’s not the best out there but for the price it’s a good razor to get started with so you can practice shaving and sharpening.Longer story: I have been wet shaving for over 25 years using safety razors, shavettes, and now two straight razors. For the most part I have used double edge safety razors since my dad was a Gillette guy but lately I have been getting into shavettes and straights. For DE razors I usually use a Gillette fat handled Tech (I am a fan of the copper and brass patina on mine) and for shavettes I like to use a weck sextoblade copy that uses long Personna blades, a great razor by the way.This razor is my second straight razor and the ones I have are both from the same company Zertone. The first razor I got did not come shave ready. It was sharp enough to cut you but not ready for a shave. I tried anyway and it was tugging and pulling like crazy. I had to switch over to a safety razor because it was so bad. Later I was able to hone that razor and build it up from 10k grit to 60k grit and that got the razor to shave like butter.There are a few differences I can notice between these two razors. One difference I noticed right away was this razor came shave ready and was already butter smooth. The second thing I noticed is that this blade doesn’t have a heel so sharpening and honing is much easier than my other razor. The third thing I noticed is that the print on the shank is slightly different. This one says “1901Y 58-61HRC” and the other one is labeled “X55 58-61HRC”. This is not the hardest steel out there but it’s definitely hard enough to get hair popping sharp.I really like the scales on this razor compared to the other one. There is metal on one half near the blade which gives the razor a nice balance and heft. The black part is made of wood and feels like it is ebony.This came in a metal tin that has a foam insert. This is nice enough and would make a good gift. There was also a small square that I thought was a polishing cloth that you would use for your glasses but it’s actually a small 4” leather square. It’s the perfect size for “palm stropping.” Palm stropping with this square definitely works for putting a finish on the edge but I wouldn’t use this for my main strop. I will definitely put this in my travel kit though.Overall of the two Zertone straight razors I have I like this razor a lot more. I like that this has no heel. I like the scales way better. I actually like the 4” leather square.I got both straight razors for free but if I lost this one I would buy another one to replace it. I don’t think I would do the same for the other straight razor. That one is nice too but this one is better.

This had carbon steel. Not heavy steel. From my experience, do not use 3k grit stone as recommended by Amazon to hone. The 8k may work. After using finer grits to try and sharpen, came to conclusion that this particular metal was too soft. Out of the box, it worked more like a comb and back scratcher. It pulled/scratched over stubles with very few stuble shaving.Honed and stroped using finer grits to finally get edge; however, after a 1.5 partial strokes on broad side of cheek, blade dulled, and began pull/scratch effect. It was worse than the cheap plastic disposable bic razor. The steel quality is poor. I prefer the heavier and wider stainless steel old school straight razor designs. The carbon, in my opinion, has never had the same glide, closeness and feel of shavers having heavier weight. Carbon blades only work well with multi blade catridges. You can hear and feel the quality difference. Carbon steel always has that nosier scratchy resonnance.

I'm not used to using a straight razor, and I definitely give barbers props for doing such a fantastic job with these tools, so I got this one to see what I could do with it. First of all, the handle... I chose a classic ebony and brass model. Its got a nice clean look but as a woodworker who's worked with ebony, I can tell you the wood is capable of a better polish. That being said, this isn't bad. The handles only function is to provide a protective cover for the blade anyway.Now for the blade... this this is sharp (as it should be). I had to look up online to figure out how to properly hold one of these things, and once I did, I could tell that this particular blade was made with that classic hold in mind... right down to the little hook on the tang for your baby finger to help steady things. The blade, when held properly is a solid piece of work. It appears to be perfectly capable of holding a proper edge and I'm certain its a high carbon steel. This is were it counts... Still, once you place that straight blade against your face, you better take it slow... thats what I did, and it seemed pretty awkward at first. But as soon as I got used to it, I was able to carefully give myself a decent shave. I went over it a second time and I believe I came pretty close to the barbershop classic. This is a capable razor with a good blade and a decent handle. At this price, I think its well worth it... just expect to take some time to get used to shaving like this if your not used to it. I can't say for sure about this type of shaving over a safety razor, but as far as the razor itself, definitely recommended.

Tired of writing detailed reviews over and over and post tons of pics just to have them not go through...This thing is bad! The blade protrudes through the back which is dangerous. The blade is dull even after striping it. My barber said it needs to be re-honed and beveled but he didn't think the metal was suitable to hold a sharp edge.

It's sharp, I'll give it that. About 95% of the edge is, well, razor sharp. A section by the handle was missed by one or more passes of their sharpening process and about an 1/8th of an inch isn't sharp. I tried this on my arm and just couldn't get a comfortable feel enough to shave with. I'm not sure I'd trust using this on the curves and contours of my face and really not going to try it on my scalp which I keep shaved with an electric razor currently. I've always wanted a straight razor in this style. I think I'll find a place for it with my other collected cutlery.