True I forgot about your budget. Yes the Renaissance is $175 so its almost twice what you have for everything...
That said you may need to look vintage
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I have a 6/8 Dovo Classic and it's one of my favorite str8s. It shaves as well as my Dovo Special. The 6/8 Classic is a good first razor, or second, or third, . . .
Vintage Blades LLC (Straight Razor : Double Edge Razor : Shaving Products Supplies : Merkur Safety Razor : Badger Shaving Brush : Men's Grooming Products : VintageBladesllc.com) has some great shave ready (I think) vintage razors for under $50 on their site. Check them out. I wish I had gone there myself rather than my Dovo (don't get me wrong, I love it, but starting cheaper is better, I think).
VintageBladesLLC::...
VintageBladesLLC::...
I must have read the price wrong on that one, but I think I am going to get the Dovo "Best Quality", 5/8". I have not heard any thing bad about them so I think I have made up my mind.