What razor/kit should I buy as a beginner?

Hello everyone,

I'm sure that most of you, i've been trying to find the perfect razor for years. I tried the 2, 3, 4 and 5 blade razors but I'm not too happy with either one so I want to try a straight razor. What kit would you recommend for a beginner? I understand that 5/8 blades are best and was looking at the kit below on amazon. I will appreciate any suggestions! My budget is probably $200 max.

Amazon.com: DOVO 504B 5/8 Col Conk Straight Razor with Full Shaving Set Package By GB Buckingham & Sons: Health & Personal Care

Thank you!

Get off of Amazon..

Look at a reputable Vendor on here or at the Classifieds here


The most important aspect of a first SR is that it is absolutely, positively, "Shave Ready"


For $200 you can do WAY better

I've been using a DE razor for about six months now after a 40 year detour. I got the bug to go to straights about three weeks ago. I decided to start with what I KNOW to be a sharp shave ready razor and I wanted my first to be new so I went with a Dovo Best plus strop from Straight Razor Designs. I'm glad I did as it came directly from the hands of Lynn Abrams. I'm just getting the feel for keeping it sharp and I'm probably going to get a second razor after meeting the good folk here at a meetup on Sunday. Listen to the experienced folks here to start. Straights are not so straight forward to use.

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Originally Posted by gssixgun

Get off of Amazon..

Look at a reputable Vendor on here or at the Classifieds here


The most important aspect of a first SR is the it is absolutely, positively, "Shave Ready"


For $200 you can do WAY better

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Yes, "shave ready" is vital, and having just received two new razors I purchased from the Classifieds here, an 8/8 Revisor and a Double Duck Satin Wedge, you couldn't make a better decision that to get gissixgun to hone them for you...as he just did a fine job on my two new razors...now to decide which one to use first!!

:gl:

Hi tzsabo86!

I'm also rather new to Straight razors and this is my experience so far.

I didn't want to jump to the water before knowing how to swim, so I decided to start with a shavette and disposable blades.
This has proven a great method so far as I get to practice how to hold the razor and how to move it across my face without worrying that I'll slice my ears off.

Also, a good thing about shavettes is that you don't need to learn or worry about honing and stropping it for maintenance at first. Your only worry would be which blades to buy, is my lather good enough, do I need to change the blade yet... more simple things.

I watched a lot of video tutorials and started moving the shavette mimicking the movements that I would need to learn in order to shave and not cut myself, and I was confident enough in doing so because I had no blade on the shavette. This allows you to feel how to hold it, the weight and how to do the movements so you don't cut yourself.

Once I was confident enough in how I was holding it and moving the blade across my face I jumped to the water, put on a blade and I have to say, I've never enjoyed shaving as much as I do now. Even with the cuts and nicks I've got so far ;-)

My next step is to get an inexpensive straight razor to learn how to properly strop it. And as everyone else suggests, I'll get a shave ready blade so I can have a base line to work with and learn how to keep it sharp instead of Sharpening it right away.

I hope this helps

Cheers.

E.

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Originally Posted by str8tlkr

The Dovo 5/8 best quality has been out of stock more often than not lately. So if SRD has it in stock, grab it because for a beginner it is a great value and a good razor to learn on. I'd upgrade to the 3" strop.

Good luck!

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I agree - I started with the Dovo Best Quality, an excellent blade, still in my rotation. As mentioned, there seems to be a world wide shortage of straights, so if you see one you like, grab it, it will go fairly quickly.

Good luck!

+1 on what gssixgun says about beginning the use of str8. That Amazon listing makes me cringe. The VDH soap set sells by it self for about $15 and who made the strop. Much better off buying quality products separately.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by str8tlkr

The Dovo 5/8 best quality has been out of stock more often than not lately. So if SRD has it in stock, grab it because for a beginner it is a great value and a good razor to learn on. I'd upgrade to the 3" strop.

Good luck!

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This is exactly what I did. Razor plus 3" strop - Subsequently I bought the modular paddle strop as well.