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.

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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.

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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 :tu

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 :D . 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 :tu . 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 :w

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.

:y

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.

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Originally Posted by FiReSTaRT

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

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

Not all of them, but the one that I got was INOX. Still, the edge is pretty smooth and it was easy to hone (however, it did receive some inital honing by Wojtek before I took it to the Norton).

You might also post a WTB thread in the Buy/Sell/Trade Forum here. The nice thing about getting a restored or antique razor from a member is that they're sure to arrive truly shave ready.

Go for one of Tony's strops if you can as well. www.thewellshavedgentleman.com

Here's some images for your Signature if you like. :D

http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:...%2520panic.jpg http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:...%27t_Panic.jpg http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:...hitchhiker.jpg

X

http://www.savebay.org/images/Dolphi...ageDolphin.jpg
The world’s about to be destroyed
There’s no point getting all annoyed
Lie back and let the world dissolve (around you)

Thank you for the information and the sign pics. I wouldn't mind buying an antique blade.

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Originally Posted by Arthur Dent

Thank you for the information and the sign pics. I wouldn't mind buying an antique blade.

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why?
The contemporary shave better?
The contemporary have better materials?
The contemporary are better in design?
The contemporary have not a lot of history in them?

Yannis

excuse me for the second picture(it is a vienna regulator of 1876 ) here is the picture

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Originally Posted by Yannis

excuse me for the second picture(it is a vienna regulator of 1876 ) here is the picture

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:roflmao :roflmao :roflmao

This was surreal, Yannis!

And the razors are fabulous :y

Cheers
Ivo

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Yannis

why?
The contemporary shave better?
The contemporary have better materials?
The contemporary are better in design?
The contemporary have not a lot of history in them?

Yannis

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Those are some CRAZY razors man.. sweet deal there, and the box looks spectacular. :y

What does the guide say about str8 shaving:roflmao

Not much on shaving in the guide but...
Always remember your towel.


By the way, love the 7 day set, unbelievable.

Sorry for my emotional reaction,I have contemporary razors that shave excellent.
BUT I like antique razors because the majority was produced with the best shaving in mind, not to save money in the production , not to be easy to hone them and have a lot of history on them.
I like antique straight razors because I had been teached by my Grandfather, I teach my sons, I hope that my sons and I, will teach my grandsons and so on.
Il like to hope, that my grand-grandsons will use my razors and my grandfather razors and will be proud for it.
And I like antique straight razors because they shave excellent!!!

Yannis

Don't Apologize..

For myself next time I goto the cottage, I want to goto the Flea Market and pick up this one Straight Razor I saw last year. It was from a WW2 army kit. Nice Army White scales, and I would just polish and hone that baby.. It was $10 iirc.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Yannis

Sorry for my emotional reaction,I have contemporary razors that shave excellent.
BUT I like antique razors because the majority was produced with the best shaving in mind, not to save money in the production , not to be easy to hone them and have a lot of history on them.
I like antique straight razors because I had been teached by my Grandfather, I teach my sons, I hope that my sons and I, will teach my grandsons and so on.
Il like to hope, that my grand-grandsons will use my razors and my grandfather razors and will be proud for it.
And I like antique straight razors because they shave excellent!!!

Yannis

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How can you be sorry about being emotional about straight razors! That's the whole point of this site. And I totally agree on the generations: it's great to have razors from your grandfather to leave for your son and drandsons!

Only one thing - the antiques are fabulous, but materials are not necessarily superior (as well as heat treatment, etc.) Stlle has improved in the last 100 years, I think. And the ivory they used for scales is most often cut so thin that the razors have poor balance.

Having said this - I do love the antiques and plan to keep a few around, even in my sell-off.

Cheers
Ivo

I agree in general with you Ivo, but if you take in your hands and shoot an 100 years old fine English side by side shotgun, then you will understand better my oppinion in straight razors.
Absolutely today we have better technical abilities to produce better razors but they are other factors (price, marketing etc that influence the final product)

Yannis

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Originally Posted by pilothaz

For myself next time I goto the cottage, I want to goto the Flea Market and pick up this one Straight Razor I saw last year. It was from a WW2 army kit. Nice Army White scales, and I would just polish and hone that baby.. It was $10 iirc.

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So, Pilo (can I call you that?)

Why would you think it still might be there? I can remember going to card shows (baseball), and seeing a really neat card at one of the booths. I didn't buy it, thinking, "I'll pick it up later", and moved on down the line. Moments later I though, hummm, "I'm gonna go get that card". I went back, and sure enough, it was gone!

I would be very surprized if it was still available; unless you have inside knowledge.

I've learned to feed my compulsions and get it then, because I know I'll regreat it later.

Cheers,

Steve

Quote:

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Originally Posted by zepplin

So, Pilo (can I call you that?)

Why would you think it still might be there? I can remember going to card shows (baseball), and seeing a really neat card at one of the booths. I didn't buy it, thinking, "I'll pick it up later", and moved on down the line. Moments later I though, hummm, "I'm gonna go get that card". I went back, and sure enough, it was gone!

I would be very surprized if it was still available; unless you have inside knowledge.

I've learned to feed my compulsions and get it then, because I know I'll regreat it later.

Cheers,

Steve

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I just have a feeling it might be there. You can call me Pilot, lol as my last name is Hazlett. So that is where the name comes from Pilot Haz.

This is one of the reasons why I want to learn to use a straight razor. It seems to be an art form and personal discipline that hast been pushed a side for easier ways. Don't get me wrong. My M3 Turbo is fine and dandy, but I want more out of a shave. Since i have some soap and a brush already, I have been practicing getting the lather just right. I have noticed that my M3 is more comfortabel even with Van Der Hagen soap. The challenge will be the razor (once aquired). It seems to have become a personal goal, to be able to shave as my grandfather, and great granfather, and learn an often forgotten skill.

Once again, thank you for all your input. It helped me greatly.


"So long and thanks for all the fish."

I think you will enjoy shaving with a str8 Arthur , you have the right attitude . I hope you get the razor you want , soon . If you go the e-bay route , you can't go wrong with a seller called "altima55" . He usually has 5 or 6 vintage shave ready razors , every week . I have 2 razors I got from him , and they are impeccably clean and super sharp . BTW there's nothing wrong with Van Der Hagen soap , I think it's great soap :tu . Although I am going to try some Mama Bear soap and see how I like it . Happy shaving . .....Dave

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pilothaz

I just have a feeling it might be there. You can call me Pilot, lol as my last name is Hazlett. So that is where the name comes from Pilot Haz.

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:roflmao :roflmao :roflmao

Well, I really messed that one up, but I still like Pilo. LOL, LOL, LOL -

...and, I hope it's there! :tu

Steve

Have you seen this one?

http://straightrazorpalace.com/showt...t=9%2F16+genco

X

So many options. Now that I am looking to buy razor I an flooded with the chances and oportunities to buy either new, or antique at good prices. I have know idea which way to go. Do I get a new razor, and make it classic over time? Do I get a classic, and make it an antique over time?

I may go with one of altima55 it seems to fit the buget.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Arthur Dent

So many options. Now that I am looking to buy razor I an flooded with the chances and oportunities to buy either new, or antique at good prices. I have know idea which way to go. Do I get a new razor, and make it classic over time? Do I get a classic, and make it an antique over time?

I may go with one of altima55 it seems to fit the buget.

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Your first razor must be in very good condition (and for psychological reasons) so buy a new one dovo or Thiers Issard or a Antique NOS ( new old stock) , give this to a honemeister to hone it and welcome to straight razor shaving.

I would like to thank everyone for their help and insight. I have slept on it a few nights and have decided on a blade. I went with VintageBlades "Razor of the month special", a basic pre honed Classic Dovo. As some have sugested to start with a basic new blade and graduate to different styles, larger blades, or save my pennies for a nice vintage blade. I look forward to starting my new adventure in shaving.

Thank you for all your help. The decision would have been a lot harder had it not been for this group.


Arthur Dent
"So long and thanks for all the fish"

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Arthur Dent

I would like to thank everyone for their help and insight. I have slept on it a few nights and have decided on a blade. I went with VintageBlades "Razor of the month special", a basic pre honed Classic Dovo. As some have sugested to start with a basic new blade and graduate to different styles, larger blades, or save my pennies for a nice vintage blade. I look forward to starting my new adventure in shaving.

Thank you for all your help. The decision would have been a lot harder had it not been for this group.


Arthur Dent
"So long and thanks for all the fish"

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Good choice. Hope you enjoy this treatment to your face as the like of all of us do. Faceturbation will be a thing that helps you in your job... :hmmm:

Very good choise Arthur!
If this is your first straight razor dont sell it , keep it for your grandchildren
Write in the scales Arthur Dent 8/2007. It seems contemporary but in 100 150 years the owner will be happy that has the first grand grand father razor