Looking for my first real straight, budget $250

Hey SRP!
I have been shaving with a DE and a straight dovo shavette for a few years now. I have been looking to get a nice straight razor to add to my options. I have a budget of around $250 for the razor itself. For just a razor I think that puts me in a nice spot to shop. I would love to pick one up from a vendor that will send out a honed blade if possible. As far as preferences go, a round point and something that looks nice. Might sound a little anal, but I'm holding off on selecting a new brush in hopes that I can match the scales/blade color. I am eyeing up a Thater brush if that helps anything. I just started pouring through the shave of the day pictures and I'm absolutely in love with most of them. Makes decisions difficult.

Cliff notes:
- Purchased already honed
- Pretty
- Budget $250
- Shavette experience so not entirely new to straight razor shaving

Straight Razor Designs has some Ralf Aust straight razors you should take a look at. They come pro-honed. SRD also carries an assortment of brushes, including Thaters, so you could try to match razor and brush.

Welcome to SRP!
I'll second Leatherstockings suggestion of SRD. All of their razors are pro honed and you can get a nice strop, brush, soap, etc. all in one place.

Get a SRD Aust 5/8 and strop set. Still have enough cash to drop on a Thater or other brush of your liking

Can't go wrong with SRD, top of the line products, the guys stand behind what they sell, are very helpful and great guys to deal with.

I would check out your local Antique shops! Sometimes they will have some nice ones for sale!. Its where I've bought all mine. I have a nice Joseph Rodgers Sheffield for $50.00 and 3 others, all from Antique shops.

+1 on straight razor designs! You can get a whole starter set for under your budget, and then pick up a second shave ready razor off the exchange here:)

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Originally Posted by THORandODIN

I would check out your local Antique shops! Sometimes they will have some nice ones for sale!. Its where I've bought all mine. I have a nice Joseph Rodgers Sheffield for $50.00 and 3 others, all from Antique shops.

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I'll have to give my local Antique shops a shot and see what's on the shelf. I can always send something out to get worked, but I'm not the most comfortable at knowing what to stay away from just yet when shopping for vintage gear.

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Originally Posted by CrownCork

Get a SRD Aust 5/8 and strop set. Still have enough cash to drop on a Thater or other brush of your liking

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Strop and new brush budget is separate from the razor. The razor budget is a Christmas gift and that's my spending limit. From browsing SRD it looks like $150-$200 is a great price point and there are several options to pick from, minus the Theirs-Issard's that are all sold out.

At first I was eyeing up the Edelweiss. Then the worked spine of the Aust really looked neat. I'm leaning in that direction currently. I have to the weekend to decide.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by altspacen

I'll have to give my local Antique shops a shot and see what's on the shelf. I can always send something out to get worked, but I'm not the most comfortable at knowing what to stay away from just yet when shopping for vintage gear.

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That's an important realization. Antique shops *can* be a great place to find razors if you know what you're looking for. If you're not sure what you're looking for, they can also be a great place to find razor-shaped objects that best serve as letter openers.

Chalk up another vote for SRD and the Aust. You won't be disappointed, and you can rest assured that it will be ready to use out of the box.

I recently purchased a Ralf Aust 6/8ths Spanish point from SRD, very nice shave and I really liked that it has some weight to it, not heavy though. I got some tiny rust spots though so word of caution to dry VERY thoroughly after use. I'm about 10 or 12 shaves in and they just keep getting better.

Try a higher end Dovo, excellent for the price. A few of my first razors were Dovo's, and I still use them.

I will say that the Revisor razors look absolutely amazing though. Don't think I'd get it in time for the holiday.

Maybe Brian brown razors, he has production straights that are just a little over your budget but maybe worth a look.