Straight Razor Kit AKUNSZ Black Cutthroat Razor with Leather Strop - Black Matte Blade & Rosewood Handle

The nostalgia factor of wanting to shave the old school way like my grandfather. I know why they were called real men, i shaved with this blade and cried maybe only 3 to 4 times. I only bled one too two pints of blood the first time. After watching videos of how to shave, second time was much easier and less painful. The shave is close and clean, but the fire from razor burn is real. I applied alcohol based aftershave and the tears came back. Needless to say i will be placing this in the nostalgia drawer.

I've been using the Classic Samurai razor with replaceable blades for about a year to introduce myself to straight razors. I finally decided to try a proper straight razor so I could get used to sharpening/honing one and thought I could expect something pretty decent for about $30. This razor didn't really live up to my expectations for the amount of money I spent on it, but after using it for a few months I wouldn't call it a terrible purchase. The first thing I noticed was the questionable quality on the wooden handle. One of the rivets isn't exactly flush against the side of the handle. It's also pretty obvious there was no attempt at protecting or finishing the inside of the handle, so I'm not convinced it will hold up very long since it's very likely to be exposed to moist conditions. I wasn't expecting a work of art, but a halfway decent handle is something I definitely expect for this kind of money, so that's one star off. As for the sharpness of the blade itself, I never have very high expectations for a factory edge. That means I wouldn't normally take off a star from my rating just for having to sharpen a blade. But I just can't stand when a seller makes some outrageous claim like calling this "shave ready," so I'm left with no choice in this case. Sure, you CAN shave with this razor out of the box, but it will feel like you're using a pair of tweezers to do it. Extensive sharpening and honing will be necessary before you can experience a comfortable shave with this razor since the blade is made of a fairly hard stainless steel. If you're not prepared for that, then look elsewhere. Also realize that since you're supposed to use the spine of the blade as a guide to sharpen it, the painted black finish will come off at the edge of the spine unless you take great care to cover it. I didn't buy this razor for its looks, so that's not a big deal to me. Having the strop included with both a leather and canvas side is nice, but definitely not enough to justify the price tag. That all being said, it was some great experience for me to have to spend so much time and effort sharpening it. So while I'm happy to have this as my first "real" straight razor, I probably wouldn't buy it again considering the price. I'd say it's worth about $14-$18 given the quality and my experience with it so far.

Wonderful! Needs a little extra sharpening work, but from everything I've read you aren't going to buy a razor 100% ready to go out of the box. Was able to still get a couple good test runs with it though. Very beautiful craftsmanship as well!

This is a good straight razor as long as you understand a few stipulations. You are going to have to strop it, BUT that SHOULD be the case with any straight razor. The only ones you can buy that do not need to be stropped have already been stropped prior to being shipped, but you will need to strop it after use, that is necessary with any straight razor. So Ignore all reviews that complain about a razor needing to be stropped. It's like buying a vehicle, you have to put gas in it, sure the dealership may fill it up the first after that it's on the new owner, cars need gas, straight razors MUST be stropped before and directly after use.This is a fairly good, I would say high value, at this price point of Razors. Is it a Dovo Razor ( I also own a Dovo Soliingen) or a Boker straight razor? NO! BUT it doesn't cost a hundred and forty-three dollars either. Will it do the job it is designed for? Absolutely, No Complaints. Mine closes into the center of the handle, ( this is important because if it was to touch either edge of the handle it would ruin the blade everytime you closed it), seems to be made of a good quality steel. A nice 5/8, Rounded razorNow the Strop, it is mediocre at best. I think it is lacking, but it would work as a travel or beginners strop. IF this is going to be your first straight razor watch some videos on YouTube and learn how to strop a razor with this strop, it is almost inevitable that a beginner is going to make mistakes and damage their first strop. NO harm no foul if this happens with this strop. IT DOES WORK for its intended purpose, BUT IT DOES WORK for its intended purpose. You will eventually want to upgrade. I tried using it, just to trie it out ( I own a very nice strop already, I didn't want or need the strop. I do not have a travel strop and this will likely be what I do with this one. The leathers finish on the one I received was just fine but I went ahead and treated it with "1907"'s strop dressing.If this is your first straight razor, this is a good beginning a cheap price point. Do understand though that this razor and all razors will should require being stropped prior to their first use. ( UNLESS it has been done by the shop it is being bought from) BUT regardless you will need to use the strop after it's first use and before using it again ( 25 laps should be fine for any straight razor). But I imagine if you enjoy the ritual of using a straight razor you will eventually want to upgrade to a Dovo, Böker or Thiers-Issard. to make an analogy again using cars. This is like a Toyota Camry, it serves the purpose, is reliable and a good first car but as you mature and refine your tastes in vehicles you might want to eventually own a Mercedes, or BMW or an Audi

After using this for a couple weeks I have to change my review to a one star. I’ve used the strop for around 200 passes, I’ve watched instructional videos and spoken with my barber who uses straight razors on all of his clients and I’m doing it right, but that blade is just garbage. It needs to be professionally sharpened, and the nick in the blade needs to be honed out. The price and everything this box includes along with the price makes this an attractive deal but with another $30 to get this sharpened I’m $60 in. I should have spent the extra $20 and gotten a Dovo so I could have had a professional blade that comes ready to go and will last much longer. Every time I’ve used this razor I’ve had to go back to my safety razor to finish up and if it hadn’t been for using alum my face would still look like I lost a fight with a lawn mower. Seriously, spend the extra money and go with a Dovo or higher quality blade.