Suggest me my first straight

Brand new member here, hopefully I'm posting in the right section. Was hoping to get some advice on a very first straight razor. My local shop sells a Dovo Best Quality 6/8, is that a good quality razor to start with? They also sell T.I razor for a little more money, but I have heard there is some quality control issues with this brand as of late in terms of grind? Or am I better off trying to find a vintage? I wouldn't know what to look for in terms of quality. I know 5/8 round point full hollow is best, that's about it. Any advice appreciated.

I wouldn't mind purchasing from the USA as long as the price is right (would have to be around $100 USD give or take). The Dovo Best sells for around that price here. Not interested in anything super cheap, would rather spend a bit more if it means better quality, longer lasting.

Dovo is a fine razor for sure and 5/8 or 6/8 I think is an ok size to start with and yeah I think round point is good for a beginner. Cant speak to TI. The one big thing is make sure it's shave ready, not all blades are shave ready from the get go.
Check out the classifieds on this site there are usually very good vintage razors for great prices and most will be shave ready unless otherwise stated. The vintage blades shave very well so long as it's good steel and honed by someone that knows what they are doing. Don't count on vintage blades off ebay being shave ready though.
Other vendors like SRD will ship shave ready with a free re hone included. That's where I got my razor from and am very pleased.
Your price point is right on too. 100 bucks gets you a great razor, spend more and it's just nicer scales. My Ralf Aust was $100 and it shaves no different than one twice that price. Hope this helps.

Phil

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I would go with the Dovo. Or you could get a Ralf Aust. If you can get it from Straight Razor Design that is your best bet. At least it will be truly shave ready. Stay away from the TI. Four of my customers had problems with them. I also found the spines were not exactly straight on one side or the other.

The local shop is probably selling straight from the factory so its probably not shave ready and wont be till honed. If they include this the all good otherwise you are better buying from someone like SRD who hone it before sending out. You can also buy a kit and get a decent strop as well. Would echo TI issues with quality.

Either a Dovo best quality, or a boker king cutter. 5/8 full hollow ground. Both served me well as a beginner.

Anything from our buy list that is "Shave Ready" the Dovo will do, the Aust even better. But the classifieds here will get a starter razor real reasonable. Tc

If you want to buy new I would go for Revisor or Ralf Aust.

I ordered my Aust razor directly from the maker in Germany. Shipping rates from Europe to Canada are actually cheaper than those from the US and you are less likely to be slapped with duties. Such has been my luck so far.

Hi, i am looking for a "shave ready" Dover and other beginner or new user straight razors mentioned here. I look forward to having a razor made in the USA, is there another razor company like the Portland Razor Co.

Brian Brown also has a line of production razors.

Brian Brown Custom Razors - Home

Dovo would be a good choice. Not too expensive, but still a good quality razor. As mentioned, it might come "shave ready", but will still require a honing.

Thanks for all the responses. What about Dovo Best Quality vs Boker King Cutter? Similar price range.

Honestly, either is fine.... pick the one you like!

Please do purchase from a reputable seller that will hand hone the razor before shipping to you. Factory honing is hit and miss with mostly misses from what I hear.

SRD is the only dealer I've dealt with.... They will ensure the razor is "shave ready" before shipping to you.

Personally, my choice would be to purchase a razor from our Classified section... I've bought several from there and all arrived well honed and ready to go. Shave wise, vintage razors are every bit as good as reasonable priced *new* razors, at a much lower cost, in most cases. And, as I have said several times in the past.... if you are really going to switch to straight razors, be prepared for a learning curve and get TWO razors.... One is none, and two is one.... meaning, if *anything* happens to a single razor, requiring honing or repair, you will have zero straights to shave with. If you have two... the other one will keep you going while you wait for the first razor to be done. Even if you do your own honing, it's still nice to have more than one razor!

I have a dull pile and a sharp pile.... and rarely enough time to do any honing! <grin>

If you are just dipping your toe in the water, I would suggest even stronger that you start with a vintage blade.... Lower entry cost and the resale value will still be there if you decide it's not for you. A brand new blade can loose value, unless it's a custom blade, in which case it is also in a whole other realm, price wise.

There are the cheap crappy useless blades, and there are good blades. If you are choosing to purchase a good blade, it's all about what you like/want, and not what is *best*. If you chose to purchase a bad blade... well... they are all bad and you'll never get a decent shave out of it without major heroics in the honing dept. In either senario, you are paying for appearance, not capability.

I have low cost antique store restores and I have a custom razor, made to my specifications and both shave me well. In fact, most days I'll reach for the junker as I never worry about it. I can't say the same for my Joe Chandler 7/8" custom.


Regards

Christian

When I was looking for mine my final decision was between a Boker and a Dovo.

Since I wanted to make sure that I got one that was really shave ready, I went to Straight Razor Designs.

Being an absolute newbie, I also needed a strop, so I looked at Razor & Strop Sets and found that there were no Bokers available as part of a Razor & Strop Set deal. I also got the DVD which contains a wealth of information that you will appreciate -- especially when you get to honing your own razor, some razor oil (to prevent rust) and a protective razor sleeve.

The whole deal went for $149. In my opinion it was well worth it.

Don't forget that, in addition to an initial honing and stropping, you get a certificate for 1 more free honing!
SRD has the best deal on honing that I have found to date with a cost of $25 without a certificate.

I chose a Dovo Best Quality Black 5/8".

I started with a Aust from SRD. It was about $100 and it was honed with a certificate for a free honing. Since then I have purchased 2 more Austs, Mastro LIvi's, Bokers, Dovo's and more. I still think for the money, the quality and the maintenance on the Aust beats all of them except the custom Livi's. The 5/8 Aust will serve you well.

I'm partially torn between the Boker King Cutter and SRD Ralf Aust. Problem is I live in Canada, can one expect import charges when ordering a straight from SRD when shipping to Canada?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Justino14

I'm partially torn between the Boker King Cutter and SRD Ralf Aust. Problem is I live in Canada, can one expect import charges when ordering a straight from SRD when shipping to Canada?

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I am afraid so.

Here is a link to Aust
http://rasiermesser-manufaktur.de/en/home/]OXID eShop 4 | Online Shop[/url]
I talked to him over the weekend and he's on holiday for a week or two (no email/orders) His English wasn't bad at all. Seemed pretty cool.
I read a post somewhere (can't tell you where must be in the 100's over the past couple of days) that there was no import/customs charge for a member from Canada to order direct.

I really want one as my first, but I'm strap for cash and keep lurking in the classifieds hoping someone is parting with one of their cheap vintage.

It's entirely hit and miss on getting dinged by Customs Canada. It does not really matter where you order from, though some places appear to be flagged for closer scrutiny.

As long as it's sent via the Post Office of whatever country you purchase something from, so it is delivered by Canada Post, you are not going to get hit with a ridiculous "brokerage charge" as sometimes happens when shipping with courier companies. With Canada Post it's a handling fee of $9.95 + whatever GST/PST or HST on the declared value if it gets dinged.

Naturally, on small items it hurts more, but if the item is less than CDN $20, there is no collection of taxes.... BUT, if the value is CDN $20.01 or more, they can demand taxes if they wish.


I'm big on the used razors in the Classified section.... I've only ever bought 2 razors brand new, and neither shave me any better than my sub $20 junkers when well honed.

There are also Canadian dealers online. I have no idea if any offer shave ready razors, or their honing quality, but if you wish to avoid the possible hit from crossing the border... they are an option too. Do remember, even used razors from outside Canada are subject to the handling fee and taxes on their value, if Customs decide they want to collect.

Regards

Christian

How about Portland razor co. I was considering getting one from them myself.


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Well there's Brian Brown, and his grinding is in a better league than PRC so look at the numbers and decide, besides brian there are several custom makers here in the USA, but there isn't many who offer better craftsmanship. Tc

Am enjoying air sandwiches while checking mail for PRC "Sprite" sr, Brian Brown customer service did not respond to email asking about beginer sr. PRC customer service was very helpful. This feels like going against the SRP beginers recommended sr grain.

How is that going against any grain?

Also, Brian Brown is an individual. His customer service is just him. He may have a life and may not always be available to respond to emails. That should not be considered a reflection on his work.

I'd go with a starter set from Phil at The Classic Edge, that's where I got my start and he's a great guy and a member here....

Personally, I'm not a fan at all of the Dovo's, many of the other's recommended here would be a good choice, including a Thiers-Issard, the RA, all good choices and The Classic Edge is located in Ontario and they provide quick shipping and you skip the cross border hassle.

Good luck and enjoy the voyage, take your time, read and watch video's...

Understand if Brian Brown is the only person taking care of his business, his not responding to email does not take away from who he is to you. Glad he may have a life that does not include responding to web site email.

I have a Portland Razor. It is very different from a full hollow, e.g. Boker, Dovo, Aust. Portlands are 1/4 hollow, very heavy, stiff blade, like a Hart Steel. I love the razor, it shaves very well. But Portland has a long waiting list I think. My favorite razors are Ralf Aust full hollows. $100 from SRD, shave ready and they are in stock. Have bought two vintage blades from classifieds here and both were shave ready and do a great job. If $100 is not a problem get a Ralf Aust. If you want to test the water cheaper, get something for $50 from the classifieds. Go with round point. If you like straight shaving, you can order a Portland later.

PRC's waitlist may be 4 to 6 weeks. Don't mind waiting, am more excited about owing a straight razor (sr). Many thanks for not talking down to me and sharing your take on sr. i over shopped shaving products before joining SRP forum and am trying to limit buying sr to USA made razors for now.
That's probably leaving out lots of highly recommended beginers sr. Hope this will also limit my buyers remorse too.

i think for your first razor the most important is that it comes shave ready , not factory "shave ready" but honed by a professional
dovo would be a fine razor to start with