Looking to purchase, but what?

First, I would like to say that this is a great site and I'm glad I got directed here from B&B (been around there a little while now). You guys have really put together an informative and enjoyable site.

Let me explain my plight:
I have been wet shaving since day one (well, maybe since I was 16) and have been DE exclusively for a while now. I have a few DE's and enjoy them but have always been attracted to the straights. Anyway, I have soaps, cream, a brush and all of that good stuff. Also, let me jump ahead and say not to worry about me changing my mind and deciding that straights wont work for me. I've decided I want to do this and will keep going until I either have it right or have severed my head trying.

Long story short (and don't laugh but) I have persuaded my wife into letting me blow a couple hundred bucks and I am looking to use this for my razor, strop and whatever else you guys may suggest.

Strop thoughts-
I'm pretty set on getting a Tony Miller strop but am having a hard time deciding between the $30 starter and ~$60 4-sided paddle strop. My concern is that I probably wont get much more free cash for a couple of months as we are about to move back to FL from Chicago and that's not going to be cheap so I don't know if the basic strop will give me a way to refresh the edge enough in the next couple of months or if this will require the paddle. If it helps in the considerations, I will most likely start str8 shaving on the weekends only until after the move as time is short these days.

Razors-
I have been eying a TI 5/8 "Evide Sonnant Extra" at CS which is about $92 (plus of course the cost to hone it). The Dovo special looks nice as well but I have heard that TI's are reputed to be of better quality these days and that the gold wash on the Special is more difficult to care for and could actually lead to a greater likelihood of rusting if neglected. Naturally, I don't plan to neglect this razor but I do like to travel and camp and would be taking this blade with me, if conceivable, until I can get another.

I am also open to a used, but in good shape straight but past TI and Dovo I have no idea what is what and if I am getting a fair deal. Suggestions/offers greatly appreciated :D.

Anything else?
Is there anything else I need asap or can hones, et. all wait until later? I guess it goes without saying the less I can spend on a strop and razor the more other fun stuff I can buy (Tabac).

Thanks in advance!
-mm

Welcome, mm! Glad to have you aboard.

As far as strops, TM's starter strops are great for learning on, and should last you a long time. If you have the available cash, though, a $60 paddle-strop is a good deal, and I would suggest going for it. Later on, once you're comfortable with stropping, you can learn to paste a stop and maintain your edge much longer between honing.

The preference between TI and Dovo seems pretty personal from what I've seen. I've even seen some threads recently remarking on the lack of quality workmanship coming from the TI manufacturer. However, they are both fantastic shavers and should last you for a long time.

Again, new or vintage...it's really personal preference. If you want to look for a good vintage razor, I would suggest keeping your eye on the B/S/T section. There are always great shave-ready razors going anywhere from $35 on up.

Personally, I would wait on the hones unless you are dead set on learning from the get go. In this case, I would suggest buying a cheap razor to practice on. I always think it would be a good idea to have one of our honemeisters hone your first razor so that you have a benchmark for learning. Having a truly shave-ready razor is very important when starting out.

Hope this is helpful! Have fun!

~Chris

Thanks Chris. I definitely plan to have my first razor(s) honed by a pro I just want to make sure that I covered all of my bases regarding what to buy.

That's interesting about TI craftsmanship being down, this just makes the whole issue of what to get that much more complicated (in a good way I guess). :hmmm:

Best regards,
-mm

OK here is my take:

Approximate Prices:

TM paddle strop with 3 pastes $80 shipped
TI razor $120 Shipped

Total Cost $200

Better setup:

TM Paddle with 3 pastes $80
TM 2 1/2" Heirloom WITH practice strop $72 (shipping with above paddle)
BST Razor for $55 shipped

Total Cost $207

Here is the why. The best stropping usually comes from a hanging strop and I am all for good stropping since it is just as important as prep to a good shave. The paddle could be used to travel and refreshing but the everyday strop should be a hanging strop in my opinion though I know others will disagree. I can do 50 laps on that move much more effectively and quickly than on the paddle once I learned. But if you are moving to florida and won't get more money to play with in the future then get both. As for the razor, people get all caught up in Dubl Duck, and W&B, and Boker, and the dozen or so other "brands" that are in favor right now but the truth is that most of them did the job very well. My favorite is one that most others would not recognize (and no i won't tell you what it is) because I happened to luck into it. There are tons of razors that show up on BST honed for $55 or so that are worth it and if you can't find one I will do one for you once I get caught up. They will do just as well if not better than all but the best TI's

Topher (Chris),

That seems like pretty solid advice, let me know if you have anything available and in the mean time I'll have my eye on the B/S/T.

Anyone have anything good to say about these? The price seems right and I have heard good things about them. Plus I like the metal scales, they look really sharp (no pun intended). If you guys think this is good I'll pull the trigger on this today.

Thanks!

-mm

If you do a search on the forum you will find quite a few positive comments on this razor. I think generally it is considered good value for money.

Yes, those are great razors for starting out and they receive good reviews from SRP members. A member here, Mike Ratliff, actually hones those and sells them for $40.

Again, comes down to personal preference! :)

Is he at thewellhonedrazor.com? If so and if he has more than one what do you think about 2 of them (2 at $40=$80) plus the the two strops you mentioned earlier (the heirloom and starter = $72) for a grand total of $152 plus S&H which still leaves me with some play money plus two razors to alternate between?

If this sounds good, I'll order the razor(s) today and the strops on Friday and be up and running in a week or so. :y

Thanks (again).
-mm

After a little research I have read of poor balance in the Wapi's, is this something I should avoid when starting out? I have no (realistic) interest of rescaling them at this time.

Thanks,
-mm

they are heavy with the metal scales and are hard to hone but can still be used with the metal scales. It would not be my first choice but for the money it is a good bet. I would say though that if it will be some time till you can get anything honed again then you might want to keep that paddle in the mix. However having 2 razors would take the strain off versus having just 1. And many a person has learned on the venerable wapi.