Total beginner razor selection - any insight would be appreciated!

Hello all!

Brand new to the forum and totally brand new to straight razor shaving. I've been researching and reading up for a few weeks, and I feel like I'm ready to take the plunge. Luckily I can pass off the expenses as a "graduation gift" to myself--I'm graduating with my bachelor's degree in a couple months.

I have a pretty good idea as to what I want in a razor. I'd like a good learning razor, but one that helps me learn effectively (like a full hollow rather than a semi-hollow). I've looked at quite a few, and it's come down to either a brand new razor in the $100-$120 range, or an eBay special. It appears that most Dovo and Ralf Aust razors are out of stock on pretty much every website I can find. I did find this Dovo, but it is literally the only one in my price range that I can find:

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthr...ies-quot-razor

I also found this on ebay:
Vintage RARE Eskilstuna "Guldmedal" 13 16" Straight Razor Shave Ready | eBay


I'd like something interesting but also a daily user. Does anyone have any thoughts on the razors above or any others they'd recommend? Are there any reputable ebay sellers I should be taking a look at? I checked out the classifieds on this site, and there are only a handful of options there, and none of them really strike my interest, and many are out of my price range. Any and all suggestions/tips would be perfectly welcome.

Thanks!

- Jake S.

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Originally Posted by grizwaldbear

Hello all!

Brand new to the forum and totally brand new to straight razor shaving. I've been researching and reading up for a few weeks, and I feel like I'm ready to take the plunge. Luckily I can pass off the expenses as a "graduation gift" to myself--I'm graduating with my bachelor's degree in a couple months.

I have a pretty good idea as to what I want in a razor. I'd like a good learning razor, but one that helps me learn effectively (like a full hollow rather than a semi-hollow). I've looked at quite a few, and it's come down to either a brand new razor in the $100-$120 range, or an eBay special. It appears that most Dovo and Ralf Aust razors are out of stock on pretty much every website I can find. I did find this Dovo, but it is literally the only one in my price range that I can find:

Dovo - Straight Razors - Razors

I also found this on ebay:
Vintage RARE Eskilstuna "Guldmedal" 13 16" Straight Razor Shave Ready | eBay


I'd like something interesting but also a daily user. Does anyone have any thoughts on the razors above or any others they'd recommend? Are there any reputable ebay sellers I should be taking a look at? I checked out the classifieds on this site, and there are only a handful of options there, and none of them really strike my interest, and many are out of my price range. Any and all suggestions/tips would be perfectly welcome.

Thanks!

- Jake S.

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Jake,

I myself just started using the straight razor last week. Many here will tell you that you should purchase a sight unseen razor from Whipped Dog or from another reputable member here on the market place threads to ensure that you get a shave ready razor. I would avoid Ebay even for a new razor because these are almost never "shave ready". Lynn Abrams at SRD will ensure that your new razor is shave ready for you and he has numerous videos on his YouTube channel that you should watch over and over as well.

I went a different route and purchased a new razor from SRD and have not regretted it at all. Depending upon your budget, you could go either way and be happy. Before you begin shaving, I would recommend that you watch videos and read as much as you can before your first shave and pay particular attention with your practice on stropping using a butter knife for a day or so. I am in the "spend the money now" camp and get what appeals to you. Ebay finds and buying from the marketplace used are for when/if you learn to hone your own.

Best of luck to you,

Frank

Jake

Frank has given you some good advice. I would steer clear of eBay for now - almost everything there will need to be honed before you can shave with it.

Check out Whipped Dog for sure.

Or get something new from a reputable honer (like Lynn from SRD).

Good luck!

A 5/8 or 6/8 razor is much preferable to a 4/8. With a new razor you'll pay premium for the 'new' which is gone the moment you place your order. If you ask me better put any premium towards the services of a well qualified honemeister.

As far as whipped dog cheapos, from the examples I've seen, to me they are disposable straight razors which were heavily abused and are at the end of their life. Sure, you could probably use many of them throughout your lifetime as long as you do not inflict any additional abuse, but that much of a razor abuse to start with is not my cup of tea.

Of course if you have a set budget you have a set budget and may be most razors simply won't fit in it. But the slight premium for non-abused razor from the classifieds compared to the whipped dog is well worth in my opinion and yes just I looked and there are several within your budget.

My best advise is to reevaluate your priorities - your budget is more than enough to get a high quality vintage razor in great condition and well honed, and I think what's preventing you is the ideas of 'interesting' and 'new' which are more of a vanity. Nothing wrong with those as long as you are wiling to pay the respective premiums, but you don't seem to want that.

Or wait - that razor on ebay that you find interesting is in Greece and even if you end up winning it, it'll take few weeks before you have it. Then you may have to send it out for honing and that's another few weeks - instead you could just check the new sales during that time period and see if something you like will show up.

Jake, I started out with a 5/8 Boker King Cutter new from SRD and it still shaves extremely well for me. I bought a new Dovo because it looked nice but it wasn't shave ready and the blade was warped. I have honed the hell out of it numerous times and have never been able to shave well with it at all. I bought two new 6/8 Ralf Aust razors (square and round) from SRD about four or five months after starting to shave with a straight. These two razors are my favorites and I shave with them most of the time. I've also bought a 6/8 Kinfolk from the classified and am extremely happy with that one as well. I do have a Hart Steel and the 2H2H from Tim Zowada as well as the SRP razor. All, except MY Dovo, are quality razors, feel differently, but all hone up relatively the same with my Shaptons, Naniwas, and Gokuyomo 20k.

Personally, if I had to get only one and start over, I'd get a 6/8, I'd get a full hollow like you suggested and it'd be a new Ralf Aust round point from SRD for the money, quality and shave readiness. I could use that razor for the rest of my life with no issues. IMO, when you first start shaving with a straight razor you want to eliminate all the variables you possibly can so you can improve your technique. For me, a full hollow increases feedback which improves my light-handedness, the 6/8 size allows me to consistently use a shallow angle, the round point prevents me from nicking my ears at 5:00 in the morning every morning, the purchase from SRD eliminates the shave readiness and finally, Ralf Aust razors have been very good quality for me and hone up very well.

All great advice from the above, especially regarding the Classifieds here. I would take vintage any day of the week, and the blades you get here are and can be fantastic. One of the nicest and best shavers I purchased from the Classifieds for $40.00. I simply sent it to the person here in Toronto to hone it a give it a once over (he does that anyway), and honing (I prefer his honing) and ended up with one of the nicest razors and shavers in my collection, and I've got several new production blades.

How's this, a beautiful old vintage French frameback Thiers-Issard, brought to you by the Classifieds (I have two other blades as well from the Classifieds):

http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...ntlmansden.jpg

Hi,

Im reasonably new as well, and started with the sight unseen razor from Larry. Shaved well. Since then I have bought a new custom which is a great shaver, and a few old vintage razors which are still in transit so haven't tested them yet. Even though I have since bought better gear, I dont regret the razor from larry. I will use it to try honing the first time, and will be one comfortable letting my friends shave with, in case they drop it. Wouldn't want them to do that to an expensive blade, then there's the uncomfortable interaction where you want them to replace it, but wouldnt ask, and would feel guilty if they did replace it.

Also, Im sure you will catch RAD, so its nice to have different blades to find your preference.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lakebound

Jake,

I myself just started using the straight razor last week. Many here will tell you that you should purchase a sight unseen razor from Whipped Dog or from another reputable member here on the market place threads to ensure that you get a shave ready razor. I would avoid Ebay even for a new razor because these are almost never "shave ready". Lynn Abrams at SRD will ensure that your new razor is shave ready for you and he has numerous videos on his YouTube channel that you should watch over and over as well.

Best of luck to you,

Frank

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Thanks Frank! Solid advice here. Unfortunately most models at SRD, even in the $150 price range, are out of stock. Maybe I just need some patience ;)

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Originally Posted by gugi

A 5/8 or 6/8 razor is much preferable to a 4/8. With a new razor you'll pay premium for the 'new' which is gone the moment you place your order. If you ask me better put any premium towards the services of a well qualified honemeister.

As far as whipped dog cheapos, from the examples I've seen, to me they are disposable straight razors which were heavily abused and are at the end of their life. Sure, you could probably use many of them throughout your lifetime as long as you do not inflict any additional abuse, but that much of a razor abuse to start with is not my cup of tea.

Of course if you have a set budget you have a set budget and may be most razors simply won't fit in it. But the slight premium for non-abused razor from the classifieds compared to the whipped dog is well worth in my opinion and yes just I looked and there are several within your budget.

My best advise is to reevaluate your priorities - your budget is more than enough to get a high quality vintage razor in great condition and well honed, and I think what's preventing you is the ideas of 'interesting' and 'new' which are more of a vanity. Nothing wrong with those as long as you are wiling to pay the respective premiums, but you don't seem to want that.

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Lots of great advice here Gugi, and I really appreciate it. I hope I didn't irritate you when I mentioned the looks of the blade as important. One thing that I love about straight razor shaving in general is the combination of utility and aesthetics. It's like a good sports car- performance and looks. I currently despise shaving so vehemently, yet I must do so for my current job. I'm looking forward to making shaving an enjoyable ritual and hobby. That being said, it would be nice to have attractive equipment. However, and you'r right, starting out I could get a perfectly usable vintage blade in the classifieds here. I'll definitely keep my eye on them.

One challenge is that I do not exactly know who to trust in the classifieds. Plus, many of them are overseas. After reading about a few bad experiences in this forum, I'm just a tad hesitant to grab a blade that may not have been honed properly, etc.

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Originally Posted by K37

Personally, if I had to get only one and start over, I'd get a 6/8, I'd get a full hollow like you suggested and it'd be a new Ralf Aust round point from SRD for the money, quality and shave readiness. I could use that razor for the rest of my life with no issues. IMO, when you first start shaving with a straight razor you want to eliminate all the variables you possibly can so you can improve your technique. For me, a full hollow increases feedback which improves my light-handedness, the 6/8 size allows me to consistently use a shallow angle, the round point prevents me from nicking my ears at 5:00 in the morning every morning, the purchase from SRD eliminates the shave readiness and finally, Ralf Aust razors have been very good quality for me and hone up very well.

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If you know where to get a Ralf Aust blade, let me know please! They're currently out of stock at SRD.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Phrank

All great advice from the above, especially regarding the Classifieds here. I would take vintage any day of the week, and the blades you get here are and can be fantastic. One of the nicest and best shavers I purchased from the Classifieds for $40.00. I simply sent it to the person here in Toronto to hone it a give it a once over (he does that anyway), and honing (I prefer his honing) and ended up with one of the nicest razors and shavers in my collection, and I've got several new production blades.

How's this, a beautiful old vintage French frameback Thiers-Issard, brought to you by the Classifieds (I have two other blades as well from the Classifieds):

http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...ntlmansden.jpg

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Beautiful blade! Good find. Most are pointing me toward the classifieds here, so I'll check those daily and then probably solicit a bit more advice when I find one that fits within my budget that ships from the US. Thank you so much everyone! You've been immensely helpful.

I like buying things from thesuperiorshave.com they have good prices and have a few razors in your price range. I'm prone to agree with gugi about whipped dog blades. While they get great reviews they are very beat up and you may want a good vintage or new blade especially if it is a "gift" to yourself :) I have a dovo and a ralf aust and love both, so if you have the patience to wait around for new stock to show up I would wait. The dovo is the palisander from thesuperiorshave, which is in stock now, and I really like how it looks/shaves. I got it at a lot lower price though, it looks like they won't be getting any more in and raised prices. The ralf aust is also a great shaver I like it a lot as well. They also have some dovo "best quality" blades in stock for about $80 bucks

Good luck finding the one you like! The first is always the hardest one to find. After that, you'll see a new razor you want every other day :-D

Sam

One more vote for the classifieds here. I have a new blade from SRD, a few sight unseen deals from whipped dog, and several ebay/antique store purchases I've done a bit of work to. Whipped dog will get you a blade that functions and I wouldn't hesitate to purchase here again, but I'd keep my eyes out on the classifieds here. You get more choice in the matter and can keep an eye out for a nice looking razor without a ton and a half of hone wear, and you can do it without spending too much more.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by grizwaldbear

Hello all!

Brand new to the forum and totally brand new to straight razor shaving. I've been researching and reading up for a few weeks, and I feel like I'm ready to take the plunge.
.....snip....
. Any and all suggestions/tips would be perfectly welcome.

Thanks!

- Jake S.

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Graduating... congratulations.

Tell us what you shave with now. I am a big fan of "latherin" as the
ultimate shave maker. Lots of folk jump into an open blade razor shaving
from an electric and go away unhappy. My neighbor (age 70+) loves his new
brush and shave soap with his plastic tossables.

Check the classified in this forum. I have seen very fine well honed steel for $60-$100.
Not fancy razors, not super polished but solid quality steel, correctly honed.
The modest price new Dovo is a big win at about $100.
In the end it is sharp steel vs. whiskers.

Make sure you get a quality strop to go with your new razor.
You will strop each time you use the razor.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by grizwaldbear

If you know where to get a Ralf Aust blade, let me know please! They're currently out of stock at SRD.

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I don't and would recommend SRD, so I believe patience and frequently checking their sight is the only course of action but well worth it.

Check out Vintage Blades: Straight Razor : Double Edge Razor : Shaving Products Supplies : Merkur Safety Razor : Badger Shaving Brush : Men's Grooming Products : VintageBladesllc.com. They sell shave ready, honed razors and are great to work with. You'll see them as an advertiser around the edge of these pages sometimes.