hi I'm new here! Got some questions...

So I've started shaving with a disposable razor its kinda like the magic disposable razor. I've been doing ok, just have had a couple of nicks here and there but its cause of my not stretchin the skin right. Plus when I would go against the grain with my mach 3 I would still have tons of nicks, IF i didnt let me hair get a little long (like a week of no shaving). But my question to everyone here is mostly what razor would you recommend for a newbie like me if I decided to take the plunge into getting a real straight razor. I'm not lookin to spend to much, maybe like $80-100 for a razor. Unless you recommend something that is good and cheaper (no arguments to that lol). I'm assuming that I would need a "shave-ready" razor or a pre-sharpened right? If I'm wrong please let me know. Also is the "real" straight razor more forgiving than the disposable if you dont get exactly the 30 degree angle?

I think a straight razor is less forgiving. When you get a chance read over the WIKI section on this forum. It's full of great info on straight razors, which are good, which are bad. What you would need to start up, the whole 9 yards. That'll give you a good feel for what your getting into. Dovo makes a good razor, 5/8th carbon steel. You can also check out the classifed section here and look for some good deals. Welcome.....

Oh yeah of course I have to get the leather strop and everything else...I was just more interested in a recommendation on a razor. thank you

You have already received good advice. There are a zillion threads with similar issues in this section and the wiki is also pretty good. Look at the sticky posts too. Besides a sharp razor, skin preparation, a well made lather and good technique are important to get a great shave. Shaving is more than just cutting hair.

Al raz.

Welcome to SRP. There are some great deals on str8s in the classifieds. I assume you have a brush and soap, but do you have a strop?

I've never shaved with a disposable str8, but I've read here that they are less forgiving than regular str8s.

I've read about the 30 degree angle and also that the spine should be 2 spine-widths off your cheek. I'd guess that my blade angle is more in the 15-20 degree range.

Enjoy your shaves.

Dave

Ok that is some good tips there for the disposable. I'm looking at the classifieds as we speak, its just that I'm not so sure if I want to get a previously used razor. I was going to go to this store The Art of Shaving because there is one here in Atlanta. I'm assuming maybe some of the blades there should be good...and they may have some other ones in the store. But Thanks to the wiki I know what to stay away from when I go.

The Art of Shaving partners with Thiers Issard, a reputed French manufacturer of razors. I have several Thiers Issard razors and they are among my favorites. I do not think that they would have others there, although they used to sell Dovo. Buying online works well too if you know where to buy. In general vendors that sponsor this forum are excellent.

Al raz.

I forgot to mention, be prepared to unload between $135 and $260 for a razor at The Art of Shaving store.

Al raz.

Wow I've gotten most of my questions answered in less than 30min of posting...i have nothing else to say but wow lol...

Hi welcome to SRP. Here is a good deal on a new razor. Check the box for the honing option for the extra $20. You are still within your budget and Dovo is a good company.

If you go to the brick & mortar store near you I doubt if they will have a truly shave ready razor. :shrug:

Do some homework before you do anything. Go to the newbies forum and read through the various topics. A lot of good advice in all of these forums and good instructional videos here.

:gl:

Yeah I did see that on the website. But you think the dovos on the classic shaving website that are in the $90 range are good? They come shave ready, I'm just not so sure if those specific ones are actually good blades.

Dovo is a pretty well respected manufacturer too. After reading this forum for awhile my impression is that all their razors are good. There is a very recent thread (2 days at the most) on this section discussing the same issue.

Al raz.

Welcome to the forum. Don't hesitate to ask a question. Really. Shaving is a necessity for most so you might as well TRY to enjoy it. I don't know how old you are, or how long you've been shaving,but, you can either treat it as a task or as an enjoyable part of your day.

Be patient. Walk-then run. :gl:

I am 22 and I've been shaving since i was 14. I've always had a problem with shaving again after I shaved 2 days before. I would always bleed on my neck. Its like the hair would get pulled out of the pore instead being cut. Even with a fresh new blade (I used mach 3). But recently with the straight razor i've bled less, but I still believe its just my skin. So im going to give it a couple of days and let my hair grow a little like I used to do, before I shave again. But after reading im going to go WTG then XTG and if thats good enough then i'll stop if not then i'll do ATG. If you all have any suggestions because maybe some of yall suffer or have suffered from the same issue i'm open to new ideas. I'm sure the disposable is good, but not as good as a real straight razor. I think i may be looking into that razor Vintage*Blades*LLC*::*Dovo... that jimmy recommended. Its not a pocket breaker and he says it should work fine. All I would need to get then is the leather strop. Should i also get the hone? or leave the honing to a professional? I already have the brush and shaving soap. Or can I get the strop for now (since im getting a shave ready razor) and later on in like a month or two go ahead and get the hone?
For a beginner should i get a 5/8 or a 6/8? I was reading around and someone said that if they could do it again they would get a 6/8. So with this being said is this something i'll learn over time...but go ahead and get the 5/8 for now?
Also is this razor http://vintagebladesllc.com/vshop/xc...9&cat=0&page=1 the same as this http://vintagebladesllc.com/vshop/xc...8&cat=0&page=1 just a different color scale? They seem the same I just want to make sure im not over looking something simple that would separate the two. TY

“Shave ready” for a new razor is probably not true, even on a good brand like Dovo. Unless it is a “honed by so and so” which is probably also an extra charge of about $20. But yes, this extra is what you want.

That 30 degree estimated angle of blade to face is a bit too much in my opinion. Leads to a lot of the razor burn encountered. The blade tends to dig in or scrap into the skin instead of gliding over. Start your blade flat on your skin, just increase the angle slightly until it cuts perfectly. Dial in on the sweet spot from the safe extreme.

I got that same blond Dovo at Straight Razors - Knifecenter.com for just $56 and by some strange reason it came shave ready.

But classifieds is the best deal I think.

you can get the same one on ebay for 69bux USED!!! that way you know it works!!

:rofl2::shrug:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Raidel

For a beginner should i get a 5/8 or a 6/8? I was reading around and someone said that if they could do it again they would get a 6/8. So with this being said is this something i'll learn over time...but go ahead and get the 5/8 for now?

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Either are more or less in the middle of the range size wise so both provide you with a reference from which you can move on or stay put. My first was a 5/8, second a 6/8. On balance I prefer the second but seem to be gravitating, against my expectations, towards smaller blades at the moment… go figure. Your preferences are not necessarily going to be the same as anyone else's, it's just one of those things that you have to find out for yourself. Shave ready is a necessity though.

so after getting a razor that is shave ready. Should I just get the strop for now and later on get the hone?

Just leave the hone for later, and get your self a good strop for a reputable source and invest your time in learning the correct shaving and stropping techniques, it'll be plenty of time for honing later.