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.

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.



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