What's a good straight to start with ?

Ok guys I know you probably answered this about a million times already so I'm going to sneak this one in . So I'm ready to jump on in with shaving with the straights but don't know what's a good razor to start with . I've heard w&b is good thiers is also well respected . I'm open to suggestions if I should start with s vintage blade or new one . I'd probably prefer a shave ready blade for now due to my inexperience in honing and stropping that would have to be done by one of the pros on here . I'd like to have something good/high quality if that's possible around 100-150 range perhaps but maybe that'd be overkill due to inexperience . Looking forward to hearing all your suggestions thanks .


-Mike

Shave ready is a must. New or old. Depends on how much you want to invest. Several guys sell here in the classifieds, as well as many online sites varying from Whippeddog.com for inexpensive route to custom made and restorations from gemstar customs. As long as the blade is quality and honed properly you should be good.

Welcome to SRP. A great ride is ahead of you. Lots of answers to your question. A lot of people start with a shavette to get the hang of it. In many ways a shavette is fussier than a straight razor. A number of people go to the SRP classified and look for reasonable priced blades that have been reconditioned and honed shave ready by the many experts in the Forum. And some look at lesser priced new Dovos (check SRD website) as one of the better beginning razors. But STAY AWAY from eBay at least until you know what to look for in a razor. I learned the hard way and have a, literally, a big mug full of bad steel razors. If I could met them down and cast it as something useful I would. Also read the SRP Wiki section for beginners, especially on stropping. Forget canned shaving goo. Read up on basic soaps. At most drug stores and the like pick up a Van Der Hagen box of a shaving soap, a small bowl with a decent brush. Cost under $20. Enough to get youstarted. Use an old soup bowl or big coffee mug and practice building a decent lather. Takes more time than you would think but very satisfying when you get there.

Now that you've gotten through all of that, welcome again and enjoy!

I'd say rounded tip narrow blade to start with if you have that option available. Though don't be afraid of a square tip. 1/2 to 5/8 wide for ease of control. Avoid the massive blades at first. I've had good luck with vintage but choices can be limited. Check the classifieds here. Ebay is good if the the description says the razor is honed and shave ready. My personal favorites are W&B, Simmons, Boker, and Holley. As a general rule of thumb, if the blade is from Sheffield England or Solingen Germany then you have good quality steel.

As far as brand new, everyone says Dovo. I've never tried one myself. Avoid Kreiger, Master, and Gold Dollar as the factory edge may be questionable. Besides, stainless blades are not really for the novice.

Look in the classifieds. Has anybody ever heard a compliant from someone that bought there ? Pick one that looks cool to you, ask questions, and pull the trigger when you know your comfortable. I think we all respect any razor that shaves well. 5/8 round point is a good start but hey your opinion is what matters. Just because I like Ducks doesn't mean a Genco is not a great choice. Okay I got one of those too but lets not get into that right now :<0)


Welcome to SRP

Check the classifieds, affordable quality, and everyone here has a reputation to hold up.

Ralf Aust 5/8" round point from SRD. There, how's that for specific?!

I just bought one and another newbie just posted that he got his today. $99, which is not expensive. Honed and stropped to be shave ready. Free 2nd honing as well. Super fast shipping. And ... pretty much everyone seems to be sold out on most everything else :-)

I got mine to create a set-point of "this is a good blade". My second purchase was private party, not shave ready, which was so I could GET it shave ready and increase my skills. After that I'm planning on just looking around and seeing what's intriguing.

Crowden

I'm in the same boat as OP; good words of advice above, thanks.

My 1st new razor last year was a Dovo 6/8 Best Quality straight razor for $85 from SRD; it was professionally honed, shave ready, and came with a free 2nd honing certificate. I got a new Illinois #127 strop for $35 elsewhere.

You'll still need a strop for straightening the razor edge before a shave. Time to start practicing your stropping. ;)

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Originally Posted by henryconchile

My 1st new razor last year was a Dovo 6/8 Best Quality straight razor for $85 from SRD; it was professionally honed, shave ready, and came with a free 2nd honing certificate. I got a new Illinois #127 strop for $35 elsewhere.

You'll still need a strop for straightening the razor edge before a shave. Time to start practicing your stropping. ;)

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+1 me too. great razor and great guys to deal with

Hi and welcome,
If I was spending that sort of money I would buy a nice vintage razor, but that's not to say that the next person wouldn't buy a brand new, really depends what you like.
I would be wary of eBay, because some people will say what they think needs to be heard to get a sale. If you are going that route, get some good pictures of both sides of the whole razor, and post them here, you will get good advice, or try and find a mentor who might be able to help you with your potential buys.

Thanks gents for all your positive feedback looks like i have some money to waste but it'll save me money right ? Lol

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Originally Posted by Greek

Thanks gents for all your positive feedback looks like i have some money to waste but it'll save me money right ? Lol

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Well maybe, over a few or more years, provided you are frugal.

I've spent too much money on razors, and looking back at my history, I'd advise you not to spend that much. Check the classifieds here, or go to a reputable dealer and get a low-end Dovo or Boker. What ever you get, get a shave ready razor. Once you see if straight shaving is for you, then decide if you want to spend more money on a higher dollar blade. Have fun.

Hi and welcome. General rule of thumb is round point(unless you like to bleed) and either 5/8 or 6/8 razor. From there you can make infinite decisions. Ill add a link for good razors but get shave ready. The classifieds are a good place to start. Ebay razors are hit and miss and most won't be shave ready so you'll need honing sell. Good luck.
Good Straight Razor Brands - Straight Razor Place Wiki

I just checked SRD, which is a go-to place for shaving equipment. $115 or so will get you a new razor, honed properly, and a quality strop. You can then pick up an Omega brush and entry-level soap whereever you see fit and still be well within your $150 limit. If you really want to go inexpensively, you can get a razor, strop, brush and soap from Whipped Dog for quite a bit less, which is what I did because I wasn't sure if I was going to like straight shaving.... that was several razors, brushes, strops, soaps and aftershaves ago :)

It's a shame we can't have some sort of "Starter Kit" for Newbies. You know, like a 7 day set of various types of blades.
I have 2 new razors, a Dovo and a Thiers, and I don't like them near as much as some of the old blades I bought and honed.
There are just so many differences among blades.
I would say to get started it would be best to start with a restored blade from a respected vendor here, for less than $70. Try it out, learn on it, see how you like it, learn what you don't like about it. Then buy another , but of a different style (Wedge vs hollow, or double hollow, or Lg vs. small) Then buy a third that will probably be closer to your ideal, for say $150, and sell the other 2.
So you're in for $150, but you have tried 3 blades, instead of just one you may not like.....
And if you're like me you may get lucky and find out the first blade you ever bought is your favorite shaver. ( $15 off ebay)
You'll still end up buying 20 blades later on, but that is just the sickness setting in.

I have amassed 18 vintage razors from eBay, antique shop and personal purchase and are having them honed. As I get them back I have been putting them in rotation. No two are alike other than being a mixture of American, English, German and Swedish steels. I have four rotating presently and I can tell you, no two alike and I like it that way, Each day is a delight and a challenge to see what kind of shave I get and how I have to adjust to get it. Throw changing soaps, scuttles/bowl/face lathering and a few different brushes and I have an adventure to start off each morning. I am aiming for a 14 day rotation. Plus (of course there is always a plus) I'm putting together a group of safety double, single and injector razors to throw in the mix to use on a whims moment. Let alone a variety of finishing creams or lotions. But I am drawing the line at strops. Just acquired a Russia Razor strop with my last name on it (amazing, isn't it), 2-1/34 x 24 in pristine condition and its older than me. Have to get fussy somewhere.

Been thinking of the Ralf aust with strop from srd in 5/8 . Thoughts on the aust ? And and all these strop options of leather

I don't think you can go wrong with a Ralf Aust, I have a 6/8 Spanish point.........it's a nice shaver

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Originally Posted by Greek

Been thinking of the Ralf aust with strop from srd in 5/8 . Thoughts on the aust ? And and all these strop options of leather

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I have that precise one, along with Latigo 3" strop. It's an excellent combo.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Greek

Ok guys I know you probably answered this about a million times already so I'm going to sneak this one in . So I'm ready to jump on in with shaving with the straights but don't know what's a good razor to start with . I've heard w&b is good thiers is also well respected . I'm open to suggestions if I should start with s vintage blade or new one . I'd probably prefer a shave ready blade for now due to my inexperience in honing and stropping that would have to be done by one of the pros on here . I'd like to have something good/high quality if that's possible around 100-150 range perhaps but maybe that'd be overkill due to inexperience . Looking forward to hearing all your suggestions thanks .


-Mike

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For what's it's worth, I started out with a DOVO 5/8th best quality, actually got a starter kit, SRP / SRD has a few nice kits that come with all you need and made shave ready, and it's a great blade, and if anything happens to it, like staining it really badly (like I did), you're not ruining a vintage or expensive razor.

Either way, do the reading, watch the video's and take your time, but above all enjoy!!

Cheers!