Should the dog get whipped?

I'm about ready to buy my first straight razor and I'm sure this gets asked a lot. Should I start out with one of the whipped dog razors for $43?

I'm more into functionality than looks so I don't need anything pretty. Ugly girls make the best dates after all...

Seems to me though from having done a little research around the forum there are some pretty mixed views about the sight unseen razors though. Everyone looks like they agree that Larry has unparalleled customer service though.

I am also considering a Ralf Aust from straight razor designs. Would the sight unseen be a good one to go with first and then risk messing it up while I learn to hone (I do plan to learn to maintain my razors) and have the Ralf as the standard with which to judge it against until I get the hang of things? Thanks for the help!

I would also check the classifieds on the forum, there is usually something nice in that price range.

I've heard nothing but good from Whipped Dog, it will be shave ready and his service is great from what I hear

If you plan to learn honing the WD may not be the best idea as some I've seen would be a challenge to hone. You may just be buying an essentially disposable straight razor but at the price sure beats a few mach 3 packs if you just want to suck it & see. :)

onimaru55 makes a great point but I would bet Larry would work with you if you sent him an email and asked for a sight-unseen that was more on the easy side to hone. I bought two at a time and let him know I was new and wanted a bit of variety in the razors. He sent a faux frameback W&B that was big and heavy and a 4/8 full hollow that was light and maneuverable.

A lot of people are drawn to a razor for the shape of the blade, not just the pretty.

If that doesn't bother you then go for it.
I have several blades that were cheap that I didn't really look at too well but the price was right. Those I used to learn honing skills. Better to learn on a cheapy than an expensive one.

For the money, you have a hard time going wrong with one of Larry's razors. You might pay less, but you might get what you pay for. If you pay more and wind up not enjoying it, or damage it while practicing honing, you will kick yourself.
And yes, the classifieds on here are also a great place to shop :gl:

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Originally Posted by onimaru55

If you plan to learn honing the WD may not be the best idea as some I've seen would be a challenge to hone. You may just be buying an essentially disposable straight razor but at the price sure beats a few mach 3 packs if you just want to suck it & see. :)

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Totally agree.
Here is an example why

http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...e-vintage.html

That article seems like some sound advice. I'm not looking to do anything fancy with honing, just want to get good enough to maintain my own razor(s) to shave with vs sending it out every couple of months. I have enough other hobbies that my wife won't let me pay for to add honing and restoring old razors to the list. So to me it sounds like a new razor is easier to maintain. Even if I mess up a $100 razor and have (get) to buy a second until I learn how to fix my damage or have it fixed at SRD I am still spending less than I am on cartridges.

Any advice on which should be the first? Seems like it's a draw between the Ralf Aust and the Dovo for beginners and they cost the same. I have a medium beard that I shave daily. I've also been wet shaving with a DE razor for about a year or so now if either of those things make a difference. Just trying to answer questions I've seen asked of my fellow newbs while seeking advice here.

Personally I would buy the Aust, but nothing wrong with a Dovo. I honed an Aust for someone and it came out great and honed very easily

My humble advice is to invest in a new razor. Do away with as many variables as possible when it comes to the care and maintenance of your tool. Nothing against Whipped Dog, I have purchased from him before and he is a stand-up Gentleman. But, older razors tend to come with issues that may complicate your learning curve. I encountered this myself in the beginning, then did myself a favour by investing in a new blade. I have a Dovo Best Quality 6/8 that I'm happy with. It shaves very well and feels good in the hand. The larger blade also accommodates a beginner looking to improve their stropping and honing technique. Also, if you have access to mentors/professionals in your area, make use of their services and knowledge so that you can concentrate on the basics of shaving, stropping and enjoying your newfound hobby! Food for thought... Cheers!

I received another straight from Larry this time it's 5/8 round point and the razor shaves really good, the first that i received was a 9/16 flawed but shaves like a charm. To my opinion if you can afford a new straight go ahead and buy one but if your just like me( can't afford to buy new) Larry from Whipped dod is a great alternative. Is after sale service is more then perfect and it's a great guy to deal whit. The 2 razors came shaved ready and he really know how to hone a straight.

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Originally Posted by 130Nav

Any advice on which should be the first? Seems like it's a draw between the Ralf Aust and the Dovo for beginners and they cost the same. I have a medium beard that I shave daily. I've also been wet shaving with a DE razor for about a year or so now if either of those things make a difference. Just trying to answer questions I've seen asked of my fellow newbs while seeking advice here.

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I bought the "starter kit" from SRD with the RA blade. It has been a great blade for me to start my learning curve with. I don't know about Dovo first hand, so I can not offer an intelligent opinion. I can say that my RA seems to be forgiving to me since I have not needed stitches for my face YET.

Good luck on the adventure.

I'll second the RA love mime its my first and so far only and it is extremely forgiving for a novice to handle best of luck and keep us posted

I ended up going with the RA strop combo. 2 shaves into it now. Second shave was much better than the first. No problems with the sideburns or cheeks. I'm sure I'll have the neck figured out soon.

The problem in running into though, and I'm sure I'm not the first nor am I the last, is the chin and upper/lower lip. I tend to snag it on those coarser hairs and feel like I'll cut myself if I try to go harder. I'm used to my Merkur 34C which weighs a lot and gravity does all the work for me. I also know it's not the blade since it's only had two shaves and I bought it from Lynn already honed. So it's gotta be my technique. Anyone else have this issue and if so how did you overcome it? Do I need to find a heavier blade or one that isn't a full hollow? Also my soap seems to dry out by the time I get there and I don't have the benefit of my sopping wet Merkur to keep everything moist. Is lathering as I go an answer? Thanks!

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Originally Posted by Papabear11

I received another straight from Larry this time it's 5/8 round point and the razor shaves really good, the first that i received was a 9/16 flawed but shaves like a charm. To my opinion if you can afford a new straight go ahead and buy one but if your just like me( can't afford to buy new) Larry from Whipped dod is a great alternative. Is after sale service is more then perfect and it's a great guy to deal whit. The 2 razors came shaved ready and he really know how to hone a straight.

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Totally agree.

Attachment 200389Attachment 200390

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Originally Posted by Papabear11

I received another straight from Larry this time it's 5/8 round point and the razor shaves really good, the first that i received was a 9/16 flawed but shaves like a charm. To my opinion if you can afford a new straight go ahead and buy one but if your just like me( can't afford to buy new) Larry from Whipped dod is a great alternative. Is after sale service is more then perfect and it's a great guy to deal whit. The 2 razors came shaved ready and he really know how to hone a straight.

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Here's my straights from Whipped dog(Larry)

@130Nav: The chin and lower lip are troublesome for most. Really the trick to straight razor shaving is balancing the pressure against the skin (light) with the pressure to cut through the resistance from the whiskers, which becomes more difficult the coarser your whiskers are.

I can recommend a few things that have helped me...
1- Use your tongue to make your lower lip convex
2- Use a buffing stroke
3- Firm up the chin and upper lip with your facial muscles, like you're pursing your lips
4- Stretch the chin skin by pulling down with your off hand
5- Start by only going WTG until you're comfortable, then move to XTG (ear to nose), and lastly ATG only if you're super confident.
6- Be very aware of blade angle

And there's no shame in only lathering up portions of your face at a time or re-lathering if it's taking a while. Shave prep to soften the whiskers is another thing that really makes a difference.

I hope that helps!

Looking back I wish I had waited to purchase my first straight. Don't get me wrong I love the razor Larry sent me but I would have liked to know what I was getting and have more control over the situation. I know you already decided but I figured I'd post for people in the future with the same question.