New Here. A Few Questions.

I just purchased a DOVO Juniper Bruckle straight razor on Ebay, and a cheap Strop. I will buy a badger brush in the new year, and honing stones or whatever else is needed. I figure for now I can manage with just a razor, strop, and regular shaving cream until the holidays are over and i have a bit more money.

Anyways, as I am new to this, what else do i need besides a razor, strop, cream, and badger brush? Can i manage with just a razor and cheap strop?

Also what's a safe way to treat my razor when i get it to kill off any germs, bacteria, etc., Can i just let it sit in peroxide for awhile?

And when i do get the badger brush, do I have to buy the expensive shave creams? Or can i use standard shave creams that you can buy at a drugstore? If the expensive creams are the best, where do I buy them from?

Any experienced advice is appreciated

Welcome!

I'm kind of new too so please bare that in mind if you read my advice. Just make sure your Dovo is shaveready.. if not you will need to let it be honed by someone.. I wouldnt do it myself the first time (I havent honed any razor yet)

I'm no expert on badger brushes or soaps but I guess better soap shaves more pleasurably and a badger brush could make better lather with that great soap/cream.and applies it more comfortably to your face..
I just use cheap soap/cream I get around the corner with a cheap bore brush and I like to shave with it anyway.:thinking:

I'm no expert on strops or stropping so I wont be of any help there..

Maarten

First, I agree with Maarten. You want to make sure your razor is shave-ready. There are some good stickies in this section that cover the importance of "shave-ready". Post the eBay seller, and someone here can more than likely tell you whether their razors are shave-ready or not.

A cheap strop can get you by for a short period of time, but make sure there are no creases or bends in the leather. Otherwise, stropping could do more damage than good.

Badger brushes are more subject to the opinion of the user. Some say they can get just as good lather with a boar's hair brush. The biggest selling point is that the badger hair is softer and feels better on your skin. Myself, I have not brought myself to spend the money on one simply because other elements are more important to me. As far as soap, you don't NEED to buy expensive brands. But you will probably want to buy a glycerin soap (like TGQ - The Gentleman's Quarter).

Welcome to the boards, and have fun!
Chris

Thanks for the replies

I emailed the seller and got this response: "I assume its shave ready but no way I can really know".

It's not really reassuring with my purchase. I kind want to back out of the deal now - if that's even possible after i arranged payments through paypal.

How will i know if it's shave ready when it comes? How will I disinfect it? And where do i take it to get honed(sp?)?

I can guarantee you that it's not shave ready. Could you provide a link to the ebay listing? We could probably tell you more by seeing the ad, but if the owner doesn't know, it's probably not shave-ready. Best thing to do is send it out to one of the guys of the forum who is known for honing. It's relatively cheap (usually $15-20) and you KNOW you're getting quality service. You can either start a Wanted thread asking for honing services, or go to the Classifieds/Member Services and find someone there. Of course, Lynn (our founder) hones and may be the best at it. He has a listing in the classifieds.

The ad is not public anymore, so i cannot link. But I'll just paste it here:


""Blade features "Bridge" (Brucke in German) celebrating one of Solingen's most famous and most visited places. The etching is part of Dovo's themed series, that is this razor is available with 3 different etchings; Brucke (bridge), Burg (castle). or Kotten (grinding shed). The blade is made of high carbon steel, made by hand to a 5/8 full hollow ground. The handle is made of Juniper wood and sealed to protect against water damage. This is a new razor and will come in nice sealed metal case as shown. Retails for more than $125.00 if you can find one. A very fine German made straight razor. Also have the Burg one on auction this week. Will reduce shipping if more than one item won in 3 days and one payment is made. To see how much shipping is for any counrty look on bottom of auction page and see the pull down menu. Thanks for looking."

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/a...JUNBRUCKE1.jpg

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/a...JUNBRUCKE2.jpg

With close inspection the second one looks like it has a chip. I feel really bad right now. I ended up paying around 100$ with shipping and tax. I hope i didn't waste that money especially around the holidays when it could be used.

Can i back out of an ebay purchase? Cancel the paypal transaction?

I just sent this

"I purchased a straight razor from you earlier, and you mentioned you were unaware if it was shave-ready.

Under close inspection it looks like it has a chip, which would render the blade useless.

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/a...JUNBRUCKE2.jpg

If this is the case I didn't bid with the knowledge that it was a defective blade, and would like to back out as that product would be useless, and it's the holidays and that money could be used for other things"

I highly doubt anything will come out of this though.

But if that's the case, and it does had a chip and is not save-ready, what are my options? I live in Canada- Ontario, anyone that hones blades live near-by?

If this statement is not correct when you receive your razor I believe you can get out of the purchase due to breach in advertising. This is taken out of the text above "This is a new razor and will come in nice sealed metal case as shown."
A razor in a sealed metal case should not be chipped.

Also nice looking razor and for $100 you didn't do that terrible.

Welcome to SRP first off ....
Second the guy you want to contact up in Canada is Floppyshoes / Dan if you end up with the razor, He also has an add in the classified section but just fire him a pm...Dan will get that puppy right sharp for ya !!!!

First of all, welcome aboard. I love your razor, congratulations. I wanted to bid on it but I bought others so I backed off ;-). The link is:

DOVO STRAIGHT RAZOR - JUNIPER BRUCKE - NEW No Reserve! - eBay (item 390016220255 end time Dec-18-08 09:00:00 PST)

I have seen these razors for sale for around $160. You may want to ask the seller for a discount if you want. I also believe that after proper honing your razor will perform well. Concerning the strop, many people would recommend not to spend too much on your first strop as you are likely to dent it as you develop your technique. I can recommend the one I have (~$30) if you would like. A good option for brush is the Crabtree and Evelyn small best badger brush (130291) on sale right now for $28. Creams are fairly personal items and it is hard to make suggestions but there is a new place in Canada (Calgary), Rasage Poulin (they have an ad in the vendor's corner):

DOVO STRAIGHT RAZOR - JUNIPER BRUCKE - NEW No Reserve! - eBay (item 390016220255 end time Dec-18-08 09:00:00 PST)

Not sure these options would be good for you but I figure that I would share the info. If anything, it would give you a few things to consider...

Happy shaving ;-),

Al raz.

The guy insists it's in new condition, so it looks like I'm getting it weather i like it or not. But does anyone else notice that in both pictures on the blade edge just right of the "E" in "BROCKE" it looks like a chip?

I'll just keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best. If I do get it, and it is new; is it a good deal for 100$?

Alraz, please link the strop you would recommend, and a cheap brush.

;)

New condition or not, I would ask him specifically, "Do you guarantee that the blade is not chipped?"

You can order a new car and it can still arrive at the showroom with a dent in it. It might still be new but you don't have to accept it that way.

BTW, BOTH photos show the chip, so it is NOT just an odd reflection. I would insist he clarify the condition of the blade.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by j03

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/a...JUNBRUCKE1.jpg

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/a...JUNBRUCKE2.jpg

With close inspection the second one looks like it has a chip. I feel really bad right now. I ended up paying around 100$ with shipping and tax. I hope i didn't waste that money especially around the holidays when it could be used.

Can i back out of an ebay purchase? Cancel the paypal transaction?

---

If you notice the way the blade is resting on the acriic stand, I would say it looks like he dammaged the edge while trying to take the picture. Hopefully, this is a "stock" pisture and you will get a new razor in a sealed box.

If you do recieve it and the edge is damaged, and the seller will not/can not make it right, file a complaint with paypal and that will get his attention. It has worked for me in the past when I had problems with sellers....:gl:

Don't jump to conclusions just yet. It may be that there may be a little scum or even the aforementioned acrylic on the blade. You got a good deal at $100 if it is in new condition. I would say send it out to get honed and invest in a strip of balsa and diamond paste for monthly touch ups.

You actually have not seen the alleged chip, huh? Also, I already suggested a good starting brush with model number and all... ;-)

Patience little grasshopper... ;-)

Al raz.