Thread: >Insert newbie sounding topic name!<

Personally to start - as mentioned hit the Classifieds for a shave ready razor.

IMO - stay away from Dovo, just seems to be too many QA issues with them these days. I had two, now I have one, a newer model Bismarck, and it's just won't hold and edge, three different well known pro honers, and it's dog...would never recommend them these days...IMO of course.

my 2 cents: I have 2 straights. one from the classifieds here, and one from SRD. I love them both, they have served me well.
My suggestion is to first browse the classifieds. but before you buy anything, start asking questions, lots of them. you will start to make new aquaintances, and soon you will find a mentor. with that persons knowledge at your side you can make a much more solid purchase. They can tell you things you might not think of. You can show them your razor of interest, and they can help you understand why it is (or isnt) worth its price. the guidance is a huge help. in my experience, asking a group will always leave you with 10 answers. and little real help. thats not to say that a mentor is a knower of all and other opinions are moot. . . just that a good mentor wont TELL you what you should buy, but rather give you the tools to make your own choice, and if they dont know something. . . they will know someone who does.

Originally Posted by Shavetime

my 2 cents: I have 2 straights. one from the classifieds here, and one from SRD. I love them both, they have served me well.
My suggestion is to first browse the classifieds. but before you buy anything, start asking questions, lots of them. you will start to make new aquaintances, and soon you will find a mentor. with that persons knowledge at your side you can make a much more solid purchase. They can tell you things you might not think of. You can show them your razor of interest, and they can help you understand why it is (or isnt) worth its price. the guidance is a huge help. in my experience, asking a group will always leave you with 10 answers. and little real help. thats not to say that a mentor is a knower of all and other opinions are moot. . . just that a good mentor wont TELL you what you should buy, but rather give you the tools to make your own choice, and if they dont know something. . . they will know someone who does.

Pretty solid advice; mostly why I've been posting here hehe

How much are you looking to spend?

Originally Posted by edhewitt

How much are you looking to spend?

I was hoping for about $100 (or there about); and about just as much for the rest of the kit'n'kaboodle. (AKA about 200ish, give or take; I'm taking into account I need nice things like a brush, shaving soap/cream etc, and a strop)

Bump! Are bumps even allowed on here? XD

Well in that case the SRD kits might be a good starting point. I personally don't have any experience of their products/ service but they are highly regarded and i dont think anyone has has a bad experience dealing with them that i have read about.
The beauty of their strops is that the surfaces are replaceable so if you damage it or want to try something different it will cost about the same as a cheap strop.
The Ralf Aust razors seem to be the most recommended and as for soaps, brushes etc you will have to decide.
Have a chat with the guys there about what you are looking for and the best value upgrades i am sure they will be glad to assist

You CAN pick up a Van Der Hagen soap set at walgreens (walmart, CVS) for around $10 which has a puck of decent soap and a perfectly fine boar brush and bowl to get you going.

Van Der Hagen Premium Shave Set | Walgreens

After a bit of research, I just started with a Dovo Best Quality 5/8 and Strop Set from SRD.

They will give your razor a final hone and stropping to assure that it really IS "shave ready".
They also include a free honing when your razor needs it.

My primary decision was: Do I get a Dovo or a Boker?