Thread: Need a Razor, Help Please

Originally Posted by Michael J. Spangler

well i would consider an old razor... but i just don't have the experience to mess with something that slightly used or inconsistent from someone elses poor honing techniques.... i'd prefer to mess it up myself!

That's an interesting view - most people who hone their razors will tell you outright the problems with any particular razor even before you ask (or I hope they would). My understanding is that Dovo are fairly consistent (although I've only seen 5 or so and one was vintage) so they would be a good choice. I personally will spend the exta $20 to get the dovo special over the intro model - it is different razor and a better one at that.

Originally Posted by Michael J. Spangler

i just think it might give me a better benchmark to start from and learn with. but if i could find new old stock or something that would be great.

thanks randy.

i spoke with kenrup and i think i'm going to get a wapi from him when he gets one back in stock. and have it honed. i can't wait to get a rozor.... no more stupid cartridge razors!

Getting a prehoned wapi from a member is a good choice. While these sell for less than $20 new the quality control is rather spotty, so even if it's NOS there is a bigger chance that the blade will have serious problems than buying a 'used' razor. Of course, it's all your choice - the only thing cheaper than the wapienica is the double arrow - I believe randy purchased a bunch recently and can probably tell you about their quality.

alright so DOVO it is...... i'm not in the market to save a few bucks and worry about inconsistencies, i just don't need the bells and whistles.

well then i guess i'll step up to the special and have it honed, not worth messing around with cheap stuff.

any suggestions on the best place to buy one of these? thanks again guys!

MJ,

The Mensch's suggestion of buying at the StraightRazorDesigns shop is spot on. At the other two fine online stores, Classic Shaving and Vintage Blades, you would have to pay extra to have the razor honed. Lynn and Don must be having a bit of a "loss leader" deal going for their fledgling business as they are including honing for no extra charge. You can't beat that deal with a big stick.

Good shaving,

When I first tried to shave with a straight, I bought a Dovo from one of the retailers recommended regularly on this forum, and I could not shave with it.

I also could not shave with the first razor I bought from an SRP member in B/S/T.

Then I bought a razor from the member Izlat. That razor was pretty awesome. That one got me started shaving.

Later, when my technique got better, I was able to shave with all of these razors and some that were not nearly as sharp (ones I honed when I was a beginner).


My take on this is, if you get a truly awesome edge, you *might* learn to shave pretty quickly, almost immediately.

But the right edge for you may take a couple of tries.

Good luck.

yeah it really is worth getting it honed the first time, then i can see how good it really is and be hooked so there's no way i'd ever give up on trying to get it right...

i can't wait!

Don't forget that you will want a strop as well. I recommend the Tony Miller starter/apprentice strop. It cannot be beat for the money!

Whatever razor you get, be patient with yourself and your tools. Your first few shaves may not be great in terms of comfort or closeness, but they should be fun. It takes time to get there, so enjoy the trip.

Jordan