Thread: Hello and help.

Hello,

Quite fancied getting myself a straight razor for a while now, and since I've got some xmas money I thought now is the time.

I've been doing lot's of reading and searching and think I've found a razor I want, just wanted your thoughts.

Dovo "Best Quality" 6/8" Carbon Steel Straight Razor | eBay

Will this be suitable do you think?

I'm 19 from the UK by the way.

I have a budget of about £50 for the razor (80-90 USD)

Most people seem to buy a Best Quality as their first razor, so you're fine there.

Don't forget you've got another £8 shipping on that—can't you find any UK sellers?

I was going to recommend The Invisible Edge, except all the Best Qualities are out of stock. Maybe you know what you're doing, already...

I've looked for so long looking for UK sellers, don't know why there seems to be so little demand.

Do you think it will be shave ready? I've asked the seller a question but are dovo usually SR usually?

It seems that with Dovo razors it's just down to luck. None of them are professionally honed, unless the seller says otherwise, but sometimes the factory sharpening is ok, and other times it's crap (I bought a Dovo Flowing which shaved fine right out the box...or maybe that was just my ignorance).

The likelihood is that you'll need to get it properly honed but there are a number of good guys over here that you can send it to, for not too much money—The Invisible Edge, Neil Miller, Tony Holmes at Taylors 1000 (don't actually know if he has a honing service but he's done a couple of blades that I bought from him and they shaved very well...at least until I chipped one of them ).

It does start to over-complicate things a bit, but it's well worth the time and effort to start out properly.

When you say your budget (80-90 usd )is for the razor, I am assuming that you are aware there are a few more initial cash outlays you will have to make before you get started(strop, brush, etc.) That being said, if this were my first razor I would not buy one off Ebay unless I had someone with a lot more experience helping me weed out the junk that's out there. Even then you are gambling. I would hold onto my savings for a bit until I had say 100-140 usd, and buy a shave ready razor from this sites classifieds or a reputable vendor like Straight Razor Designs (one of many). I know it will take longer to get started but save yourself the bad experience of learning on a razor that is probably not going to be without some issues that could cause you to give up on the whole thing entirely. There is a learning curve and starting with a quality shave ready razor will let you know what a good shave is supposed to be.

hello and welcome,
the thing about that razor on ebay is it only has the factory edge on it so you will have to pay more to get it honed once it arrives.
the ones sold on invisible edge are shave ready. Dovo Razors
there are two on there at 70ish
on the other hand if you decide to get the ebay razor, one of the more experienced members may be willing to hone it for you.

the classifieds here have some nice vintage razors for even cheaper, that would probably be your best bet, i know what i would do

Pete

Originally Posted by BennUK

I've looked for so long looking for UK sellers, don't know why there seems to be so little demand.

Do you think it will be shave ready? I've asked the seller a question but are dovo usually SR usually?

Some people might disagree with me here, but there's always the option of buying a vintage razor.

Tony Holmes (Taylors 1000 on eBay) is a very good seller (and a generally good bloke too, from my dealings with him). His photos are very good and descriptions are matter-of-fact and easy to rely on. He'll answer any of your questions and if it is being listed as not shave ready, he'll probably hone it for a bit of extra money, too.

Just look out for one that he says has minimal hone wear and that the scales and everything are all fine, and you'll be good to go. You might pay between £20 and £50.

He's always got razors listed (though a few less now, over the holidays) so just keep an eye out for one you like.

This is hard haha, and seems very expensive.

Oh that pains of being a student.

Anyone know of a decent full kit?

A lot of the classifieds look good but shipping is too much, are there any UK based classified I can look?

Looked at taylors1000 there's only one that is SR atm but will look back periodically.

Quite like this one Klas Tornblom razors , will this be shave ready?

EDIT

Also the £71.38 one on http://www.dovorazors.com/stockrazors.html looks pretty good, but doesn't mention if it's honed and SR?

Found this too, http://www.executive-shaving.co.uk/e...tarter-kit.php, thoughts?

BennUK

Welcome to the forum. You mentioned your budget for a straight razor but no mention of your budget for a brush, soap, strop and for sending it out to be honed. You would be surprised how easily and frequently you can dull a razor when you are just starting out, I was. Just saying there is more to the initial outlay than just getting a shave ready straight that should be taken into consideration in a budget. Anyway just a thought and not meant to discourage you from pursuing straight razor shaving.

Bob

Here's the starter kits page:

shaving starter kits

The full kits include Thiers Issard razors but they have kits that exclude the razor, if you scroll down the page, should you be set on a Dovo instead.

I think that the razors from The Invisible Edge are honed...but I'd drop them an email just to be sure.