Thread: Looking for the first one...

So I've been thinking about getting a straight razor for some time now and have finally decided to go ahead with it. I've been looking around and like what I see with Dovo and their Renaissance and Bismarck blades. Both of which are a bit on the pricey side (for a college student graduating in a few days), and since it would be my first razor I'm wondering if it might be a better decision to buy something cheaper that is still of good quality. Any suggestions? I've looked through the classifieds but am not well versed enough to make the decision on my own.

Words of wisdom? Ideas?

This is available in the classifieds for $50, and the one below it for $60, shave ready.

5/8 Square Point Otto Birkhofer, Gemany - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

Hi. Welcome to SRP.
You've found the right place for this new interest of yours

The 2 razors you are mentioning are both great shavers, and they would serve you well for decades to come.
If they are a bit on the price side, then I recommend, as you have already done, looking at the classifieds right here on SRP.


The standard recommendation we usually give is to find a razor in the middle of the spectrum, meaning both size and grind.
However, any properly sharpened razor will work.
My personal recommendation for you would be a 5/8" or 6/8" sized razor. Half hollow or something like that will work fine.

If you feel at all troubled by buying products from strangers on the internet, let me just tell you that I've seen so many razors sold from the classifieds, and so many happy shavers as a result
I myself have bought a bunch from there, and I am nothing but super happy about every single transaction.

Another tip is to use some time reading in our WIKI.
It is a great resource for a lot of the questions you have, and will have, as soon as you start shaving!
Feel free to ask if there is anything on your mind, there are a lot of really great and knowledgable guys in here. And they are more than willing to help out

Thanks a lot! I guess the follow question would be, if I pick up a professionally sharpened blade, how soon after will I likely need to buy the rest of the equipment (strop, hone, etc.) to maintain the blade? If I should really have all of those from the get go I may end up looking into some of the wet shaving sets offered on straight razor designs.

You should have a strop to go along with the razor. You'll probably want a brush also to make lather with which of course means buying some soap.

You should get a strop, a brush, and a quality soap right away.
A razor will need to be stropped before, and preferably after, every shave. The edge will deteriorate rather quickly without that.
Hones, you should wait a bit with that. learn to shave first, then start focusing on honing.
A barber hone or separate strop with paste for touch would be good.
That should keep you going for quite a while

Besides the strop, make sure you get a quality soap, as mentioned above. Look at the recommended brands in the reviews here. Even though some of them are pricey, they do last a long time.
I don't know where you are, but in central texas lots of stores carry a brand Herban Cowboy (also sold under the name Natural Grooming or something like that). Don't buy their shaving soap! It dries out on your face right away and also makes your face dry, leading to LOTS of abrasions. I've tried both of their soaps, and they're horrible. Their boar's hair brush is pretty lame, but for $7 I guess it gets the job done. Anyway, buy a quality soap (or cream), it will make learning to use a straight a lot easier.

The least-costly option for razor and strop (you need both) is probably

Whipped Dog Straight Razor Sales

For a "budget razor" that shaves well, Larry's prices are hard to beat. His "Poor Man's Strop Kit" includes both a leather strop, and pasted strops. Should keep you going for months.

A brush and shaving soap (or shaving cream), you can find in most drugstores.

Charles

So many great choices to choose from. Both your Dovo choices are fine razors, but due to thumb notch on the Bismarck, I would not make that your first.

The notch makes it a very pleasant holding position while shaving, but learning to strop with a notch I don't think is the best route.

IMO A traditional flat shank will work better to learn stropping technique and smoothly flip the razor as you change your stroke on the leather

Chemist,

If you want new build, I would suggest the Dovo Best. This is available in 5/8 & 6/8, half or full hollow.

An extremely competent workhorse of a razor

Straightrazordesigns have them for ca 69 USD.

Have fun !

Bets regards

Russ