Thread: A question on razors and shaving.

I am thinking of shaving with a straight razor. I have read the sticky post for new people using a straight razor, and have read many of the posts for razors, brushes, soaps and technique. Here is what I have so far and a few questions for those in the know.

Since I an starting out I am looking for the basics.
I have some Van Der Hagen soap and boar hair brush (sticky post recomended for first timers not wanting to invest a lot up front). I have an old mug for the soap. I have an Illinois Russian hide strop (wife found for me). It is older but is still in great condition.

My question is about the razor. I want a good razor, but I am a little limited on the price. I am thinking of going with a Dovo Bismark 5/8 spike point, pre-honed from Vintage Blades, but I would like to hear if anyone has any recomendations as for a good /better starter blade. I would like something good to start but I don't want to out grow it too quickly.

Later down the road I may look into hones, multiple strops, and I hear realy good things about Mama-bear shave soaps.

Thank you for your time.




Don't Panic

Welcome Arthur!!

If I might suggest a Wapienica razor? http://cgi.ebay.com/straight-razor-S...QQcmdZViewItem

They are excellent shavers for a great price. They don't come shave ready so you'd have to send it to someone for sharpening but it still keeps the price minimal.

Here's a link discussing them: http://straightrazorpalace.com/showt...ight=wapienica

If not, then I think the DOVO Bismark is a nice choice. Just be careful of the spike point if your not used to straights. Some people might have a tendency to nick their skin with it.

Originally Posted by steve

Welcome Arthur!!

If I might suggest a Wapienica razor? http://cgi.ebay.com/straight-razor-S...QQcmdZViewItem

They are excellent shavers for a great price. They don't come shave ready so you'd have to send it to someone for sharpening but it still keeps the price minimal.

Here's a link discussing them: http://straightrazorpalace.com/showt...ight=wapienica

If not, then I think the DOVO Bismark is a nice choice. Just be careful of the spike point if your not used to straights. Some people might have a tendency to nick their skin with it.

Hi Arthur and welcome

I'd back up Steve's suggestion - the wapi's are a good choice for the first time user. And just to add, I believe one of our members here, Jonedangerousli, sells shave-ready wapis in the mid - 20USD range (I think, perhaps Jon might chime in here).

Other members here also sell starter razors (eg JoshEarl) - these I think are vintage blades.

By the way, Hitch Hiker's guide is one of my favourite books

James.

Hi Arthur , welcome to the forum . I've only been str8 shaving for 4 months , so I'm still a noob , but it sounds like you are on the right track . IMO you can't go wrong with a 5/8 spike . I shave wth razors that range from 4/8 - 6/8 , and I like a 5/8 best . I found the 4/8 to be too light and now I only use it for shaving my upper lip . And for whatever reason (most likely my inexperience) I don't get quite as close a shave with a 6/8 . I use Van Der Hagen soap too , and I like it . I use the non glycerine soap that has aloe and shea butter in it . I'll bet you got your brush and soap at Wallgreen's , and if you did , I'll bet the handle on your brush is green . If so , you most likely have the same brush I bought . The brush is okay for a starter , but two or three of the bristles would come out every time I used it . That was all the excuse I needed to justify getting a badger brush . And since I was getting a badger , I figured I'd go whole hog and get a hand knotted , super badger . I got a Vulfix 2234 from Classic Shaving , and I'm very pleased with it . One thing you will want to get is a styptic pencil , to stop the bleeding if you happen to nick yourself . Good luck with your shaving . .....Dave

And yes, Mama Bear soaps are great and Sue is a pleasure to do business with. Which reminds me, I'm overdo for an order

Jordan

Thank you for the information. I am checking the links now. And yes the boar brush and soap are walgreen special, and the brush is green. The Wapienica razors sound interesting. I will continue in my research before purchasing.

Thank you again.

I found that the Wapi outperformed the Bismarck and the additional bonus is that it's INOX so you can take it on a trip without worrying about corrosion.

Originally Posted by FiReSTaRT

that it's INOX so you can take it on a trip without worrying about corrosion.

Is this true for all the Wapi razors? I thought the Ebay listing said carbon on the ones I've ordered.