Thread: >Insert newbie sounding topic name!<

Hello all; I'm sure this is an age old question that's been asked about a billion times; so I'm just going to tack it on here. I've been looking to get my first straight razor; get into the craft. (I've always been fascinated by pointy sharp things, and the modern BS has been wearing on my last nerve)

So, I'm looking to get something that'll last, and be usable while I learn the art. I've looked online, and always get conflicting answers/reviews.

I refer to the gurus of the subject; what should I make my first SR?

i would start with one of the mid to high end Dovos.

Hi Dreekalovich,

Welcome to the forum!

You might want to check out the beginners tips that can be found by selecting the Library button in this website's header. For your convenience here's a link:

Straight Razor Place Library:Books/Beginners Guide - Straight Razor Place Library

Have fun!

Jeff

I've pretty much skimmed a lot of that stuff already; I've heard whipped dog or gemstars, I've hear stay away from them, I've heard straightrazors.com, I've heard stay away from them! Hence my complete and total confusion on the matter lol

I suggest going to the classifieds here at SRP or buying a new one from Straight Razor Designs.
I have done business with Gemstar Customs.. I received a quality razor with a very nice edge. I've never heard anything negative about them and wouldn't hesitate to do business with them again.

I understand your confusion. There are many many opinions out there. So in an attempt to straighten out some things.
Gemstars Customs, the best of the best, and one of the most experienced restorers out there, and a great person.
Whipped Dog, there you will fond a lot of conflict. Some hate his business model others fan boy him. To be honest he has a large number of people that have bought and have been very happy customers.
The classifieds here should not be overlooked. There is often killers deals and some great entry razors.
Straight Razor Designs is the owner of this forum, so it is doubtful you will find bad opinions here. They also have a ver very large following, I'm guessing for very good reason. The founder seems like a reasonable person with some mad honing skills. They also offer all of the other sundry items at very competitive prices. Although without knowing what country you are in it is hard to make really bang on recommendations. In Canada there are a few more places to shop, probably the best place for straights is Classic Edge, and again great edges and good prices on the sundry supplies.

My first razor was a whipped dog sight-unseen and easily the best $43 I could have spent at that time. It was a no-name razor (TS Stewart & Co) and the spine has significant hone wear, but it arrived ready to shave, for real.

Knowing the razor was good to go, I was able to focus on getting my lather to the right consistency (bad lather can make it feel like your razor is dull), and work on stropping skills.

Once you get a good shave going and you aren't slicing up a strop, you can move up to a higher end razor.

Draekalovich,
A smaller blade like a 5/8 is easier to control and strop for someone starting out. A thumb notch makes stropping more difficult but if the tang has jimps that's a plus for you . A round point would be a good starting shape to buy in the beginning. I like the advice from Leatherstockings; look at the classifieds here on the forum. Good luck!

Thanks all for the advice!

@RezDog; to clarify I'm one of the 'Murricans. It's been decidedly hard to get away from 'mainstream' as a result; with the exception of a few out of the way places (which I have yet to actually find) buying 'local' is...pretty much impossible. I'm sure if I put the research into it I'd find *something*, but that something is likely several hours away; lol.

@SwampRat: I'll consider it! What did you do for a brush and strop to start with though?

@MisterClean: Yeah, from what I've been reading I've been looking (almost exclusively) for that magic number 5/8. How does the size change the strop?

Draekalovich, it would be good, very, very good if you would list where in 'Murrica you are located. That would allow us to see who might be closest to you and willing to sit down with you and go over the necessities and procedures of getting going in this craft. We have a goodly number of Mentors and Senior Members that are always up for a sit down mentoring session. Believe me, it can cut a bunch of time off the learning curve. Many Mentors and Members are also happy to mentor via eMail if necessary.

Glad that you being critical, at this point, in doubting of the validity of some suggestions.