RAZOR GIVEAWAY CONTEST

Hey all,

I started a thread, http://straightrazorpalace.com/newbi...way-ideas.html, about this contest, but please enter the contest here.

I'm giving away a Dovo "Best Quality" 5/8" razor. I will post pictures after this weekend, since I am not home for the weekend. I am giving it away to a newbie who would benefit the most from a new razor, who perhaps doesn't even have a razor yet.

RULES:

1) Post a reason(s) why you think you deserve this razor. I would like to give this away to someone who truly needs/deserves it. This could be someone who is a student and has no income or simple someone who is having trouble finding the money for a razor. Regardless of your reason, PLEASE BE HONEST.

2) Please be explicit in your post that you wish to enter, eg. by stating something like "I would like to win this razor because...."

3) The contest will begin now and conclude next Friday, May 8th at midnight. I live in Ontario, Canada, so that's GMT -5h, so depending on where you are it might not necessarily be midnight. :D

4) I will read and judge all the entries and announce the candidate that I feel deserves the razor the most.

5) The razor is shave-ready by my standards, but the winner will have the option of having it honed by a honemeister of their choice, no charge.

Sound fair? Let the contest begin!

I have been lurking here for a bit now trying to learn about this art form most of you have already mastered. I purchased a beat up blade from ebay and have been attempting to restore it for my first razor.

I don't currently have the funds to purchase a new or restored razor, and would love to be the recipient of your extreme generousity. This would allow me to put what money I can scrounge up towards the rest of the stuff will I need like a quality brush and some decent soap so I can get started on this journey on the right foot.

Thank you for considering me for this gift.

Hal

I am hoping to win this razor. I am a newbie that has yet to shave with a straight, and would welcome that act of generosity with open arms. I bought some old rusted ones hoping to restore, and then realized that although relaxing and enjoyable, it takes a ton of time. I also got an old strop, but it isn't in the best condition, and I would not want to use anything shave ready on it, for fear of hurting the edge...so even if I was chosen as the lucky newbie, I don't know if I would even be able to use it until I got a decent strop...in which case it would probably be better going to someone else who could use it sooner than I could.
I am not really having a hard time making ends meet (I can pay all my bills), but have no disposable income in which to get a shave ready razor right now. I work full time and am also a full time student, hoping to be done soon with a degree in Child & Family Studies with an emphasis in Special Education, and a minor in Vocal Music. Its nice to see that there are those that still value kindness over making a buck.

Great offer Dave!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by StraightRazorDave

Hey all,

Sound fair? Let the contest begin!

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Sounds more than fair to me, great offer, Dave. This is not an entry, just saying great offer:rock:.

I would like to win this razor because I have been looking around for a razor but I have a very low budget for everything including strop, soaps, and after shaves. Recieving this razor would help me take the first step. I am also a student but I think I am a little younger than what I think you mean because I am a junior in high school, but I can already grow a full beard.

On a separate note, I realy appreciate this chance that you are giving us newbies. So thank you for this chance to win.

Sincerely larzefat

I AM NOT entering this contest, however, I would like to thank you for doing this. It really is a nice gesture.

On another note, I would like to say that the razor in question is, by my standards, a very nice razor. I have one - my first razor - and I absolutely adore it. It is, when in doubt or in a rush, the razor I go to to get a nice, clean and irritation free shave.

I would like to be chosen. I have been fascinated with the art of straight razor shaving since i was very young.
I'm not sure when i was first exposed to them, I honestly think it was the old Ben Kingsley movie Sweeny Todd. In which, a barber lures customers into his shop, only to slash there throats with his razor, rob them, and serve there corpses to the unsuspecting town, in the form of mincemeat pie.
I have been getting straight razor shaves for some time, but recently, the local barbers have switched to the double sided razor blades, because the authentic ones "are too hard to keep sharp". They charge 30 dollars for a "shave/facial" which is really just: hot towel, lather, hot towel, relather, shave, after shave; 15 dollars just to lather/shave/aftershave (plus tips). Since barbers can do twice as many haircuts at that price in the same time, they dont like to shave any more.
Even if i only am shaved once a week, thats almost a thousand dollars a year. I am young, in college, working, and having to maintain my elderly grandparents home in my spare time. It really is too epensive for me.
Many times i have been tempted to buy straight razors, they have cheap ones everywhere, but i know that the only good shavers are quite expensive new. I've combed ebay quite a bit, but i think now most people know what they're worth, the only razors under 50$ have cracked handles, pitted blades, odd bevels, lop-sided spines etc. etc..

I can assure that if i win the razor, not only will it be used for years to come, but it will absolutely be treated with the care and respect such as a master honesman would provide for many, many years.

*interupted, i got to go, but i would like to add that im an active board member on several sites, ive got numerous profiles with over 1000 posts. i would like to be a contributing member and this razor would absolutley enable me too. thanks for the consideration.
***Entry withdrawn, i have a razor now!

Awesome gesture, Dave.

Very generous. Good on ya'.

Someone will appreciate this in a big way.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by fpessanha

I AM NOT entering this contest, however, I would like to thank you for doing this. It really is a nice gesture.

On another note, I would like to say that the razor in question is, by my standards, a very nice razor. I have one - my first razor - and I absolutely adore it. It is, when in doubt or in a rush, the razor I go to to get a nice, clean and irritation free shave.

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+1 on this statement. this is a great opportunity for someone and great of Dave to do it. good job! :tu

Way to go Dave, that is an awesome gesture indeed.:tu

It's my pleasure to do this. I'm going to allow people to enter until Friday, so anything until then I will consider. I have 3 entries so far, and I thank you 3 for writing something meaningful. If there are no additional entries I would still be quite pleased giving the razor away to any of the 3. But anyone still wishing to win a free razor please feel free to explain why you'd like to win it!

I will be able to post pictures of the razor tonight. It's nothing fancy and has black plastic scales. But there is no tarnish or rust and the blade is in good condition. Hopefully the pictures will be able to speak for themself.

I was skeptical of the idea of giving away a razor at first, but I'm really looking forward to giving it to someone now! :D

I'd love to win this straight razor. I've been interested in using a straight razor for some time now and my ladyfriend suggested it as a method for me to actually be happy with my shaves.

After some research I became really excited as I've virtually never had a shave where I was happy with the results. The first shave with a new disposable tears up my face and after about the 4th or 5th use my facial hair has obliterated the blade to unusable standards. Electrical shavers are a joke by all means and turn my face into ground beef.

I am a college student so working into my budget for the initial investment has been a tad difficult for me. I'm fascinated by the prospect of having a piece of shaving equipment that not only WORKS but is a beautiful blade.

Thank you for giving this opportunity to us novices :)

Hey guys,

As promised here are the pictures of the razor. I'm not the best photographer, but I think these show that the razor is in good condition. The bevel isn't perfectly even as can be seen, but that does affect shave-ability as it does shave quite well. I keep mineral oil on it, so there's no rusting, tarnishning, pitting, or anything like that!

I would also like to thank you. What you are doing is helping to let everyone know st8 shavers help each other no matter the experence level. Keep up the good work hopefully I can follow in your path and help someone out the same way.:tu

Please count me in. Winning this razor would be awesome. I became interested in straight shaving when I was passed down some prime shaving stuff from my father. (Badger brush, great soap & aftershave)
But trying to achieve the perfect shave with those things coupled with a disposable Gilette is like trying to paint a Monet with your feet--it can't be done.:td
So off I went on a hunt for the way to the perfect shave--and stumbled upon SRP, where I have been lurking for a couple months now. I have been hesitant to jump in because of the price to get started--I'm a broke college student who owes his firstborn to the loan companies.
I would love to win this razor--it would give me the push I need into the metaphorical deep end of the straight razor pool.

Win or not, I want to thank you for offering this to all us broke newbies out there.

I would love to win this razor as I am definitely in need of this razor. You see, I have a measely 70+ razors and not a one of them are Dovo.:D


Alms for the poor. Alms for the poor.

I would actually like to enter for my wife. She has been eying up my razor for a while now and finally took the plunge a couple days ago and successfully shaved her legs with my straight. Since then she has done it another time but I have noticed that it will eventually get dangerous to my face to put it through that much use. I would like to get her set up but I have promised my girls that we would take them to Disney this summer and as such my disposable income has been claimed for the next couple months.

My wife HATED shaving before this. Like seriously she was almost an honorary hippie :td. Now she is smoother than I have ever seen her :y. I definitely would like to keep it that way. She said she enjoyed shaving for the first time ever when she got that blade in her hand.

So for her a modern, well balanced razor would be something she could really use and actually enjoy.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DustinW

I would actually like to enter for my wife. She has been eying up my razor for a while now and finally took the plunge a couple days ago and successfully shaved her legs with my straight. Since then she has done it another time but I have noticed that it will eventually get dangerous to my face to put it through that much use. I would like to get her set up but I have promised my girls that we would take them to Disney this summer and as such my disposable income has been claimed for the next couple months.

My wife HATED shaving before this. Like seriously she was almost an honorary hippie :td. Now she is smoother than I have ever seen her :y. I definitely would like to keep it that way. She said she enjoyed shaving for the first time ever when she got that blade in her hand.

So for her a modern, well balanced razor would be something she could really use and actually enjoy.

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oh gosh, wife using razor, if that doesnt deserve a replacement nothing does!:rofl2:

Hi Dave, first off thanks for putting up a great giveaway

I would like to win this razor not for myself but for my old roomate Jay. I started straight shaving a few months back with a starter kit from RupRazors andf now Jay's asking after me since he is fed up with buying Gillettes. I did win an ebay razor for him but I should have read the wiki first because it's a Master USA which is on the Avoid list! I'm a student so I don't have much dough to put out and Jay works in a compassionate care center but still doesn't bring in much extra scratch. I think it would be really cool to get him something he can really feel is a treat since he spends all his time making other people feel comfortable
As a bonus reason, we're both in Onatario too and I'm named Dave

First of all, thanks to Dave for having such a generous giveaway.

I would like to win this razor for several reasons. I had my first straight shave as a wee treat to myself when I was in Auckland (New Zealand) a month or so back. I've never felt so smooth after a shave, nor had one last so long before I needed another one. Imagine then my distress when I got back to my home town of Dunedin (at the other end of the country) to find that no barbers in the city do straight shaves, nor do any of them sell decent straight razors. The one place that I've found that sells new ones sells nasty plasticky things made in China, which even a rookie such as myself can tell are rubbish. Since then I've taken to lurking on TradeMe (a site similar to EBay), looking for a good razor to get for myself. However, the few times that a good one without nicks, bowing or rust has shown up, I've been outbid or haven't been able to afford it.

At this point I should probably mention why I can't afford it. I'm a poor University student, studying psychology and social work. What little spare time I have is spent volunteering my time for the local student's association running events or local field hockey association as an umpire. I've recently been appointed to a national age-group tournament, with the result that all my cash I can scrape together is going towards saving the $1000 dollars I need to attend this tournament, as well as paying off the huge debts (another $1000 and growing with interest) I piled up when I was sick over summer and unable to pay my rent or Visa. I only have about $160 a fortnight to spend on these debts, hockey savings, food to supplement the slop I'm served where I live, booze, and anything else I need to buy. As you can see, I'm broke, or very near to it.

Now here comes the meat of why I feel I'm most deserving: I live at the bottom of the world in a tiny country in a tiny city of only about 100 000 people, and noone I know uses a straight razor (more fool them). Despite my reading up on correct use and searching for the gear I need in local or national sites, I've had no joy in finding anything useful yet. Straight razors ordered off overseas websites are hugely expensive when I add in the shipping and exchange rates. While I can find a decent strop, brush, soap, dish and probably a hone locally, a razor isn't showing much promise.

Dave, I promise that if you should choose me to be the lucky winner that I shall cherish this gorgeous razor much better than if it was my firstborn, shall properly care for it, and shall send it away to be properly honed until I'm confident that I can hone it myself without destroying it. Furthermore, you will have my undying gratitude for being such a generous soul (and I'll sell you my kidney should you ever need one ;)).

Yours in anticipation,
Tom

Hello All,

Well, If I were to win this razor, I would stick it in a box and send it to my little brother. You see, the topic of straight razors came up a while back, and apparently we both read the forum here at SRP. That was somewhat surprising as I did not expect him to be into this kind of thing.

Anyways, after finding out that my brother had an interest in straight razors, I took a trip to a junk store and found this straight razor. It needed a lot of work, but I figured: What better gift could I give him for his birthday than a razor that I refurbished myself! So off i went with polishing and making new scales.

Here is the sad part. During the last steps of polishing, I noticed a hairline crack in the blade....I really should have looked closer before starting. I gave the razor to him anyway and he was ecstatic. I was happy that he was happy.

He has since bought himself a stop and from what I hear, shaves with his straight razor exclusively. He told me that it really hurts when a hair gets caught in the crack and pulls. Despite this pain (and potential danger!) he continues to shave with the razor (how is that for dedication!). As his big brother, and fellow straight razor shaver, I have to try and get my little brother a razor that is in good condition.

You could rest soundly knowing that the razor would be well cared for and respected, even cherished, in his hands.

Thanks for reading,

Keiji

I would like to win this razor because I don't have a shave ready razor and I really want to switch from my Merkur Progress. I want an ultimate in shaving experience.
I must confess that I did purchase 2 antique razors and even have a thread about it here. A Boker and Henckels. They both require lots of work and I went as far as building a work bench in my basement, purchased rotary tool, MAAS, bloodwood for scales and hones that I've yet to receive just for a purpose of restoring these two razors. It seems like a great hobby all be itself.
It will be a long time before I actually try shaving with straight razor and even then I wouldn't have anything to compare my honing job to.
That's why I'd like to win this razor.
Thank you.

Iakov.

I would like to win this razor to be 'ready' for shaving. Having purchased two project razors, it has become obvious that it will take time to accumulate several accessories, and the first two are to be shipped to list members for honing. This group has been so helpful with suggestions and searchable archives for beginners. Thank you all.

John

Please consider me officially entered!

I have no tale of woe and sorrow which makes me most deserving, nor would this be the first razor on my path to shaving nirvana. It would be, however, the first razor which would set me on my path to RAD.

Having raised a beard since my sophomore year in high school, when it was just a patchy thing, I loved and cared for my beard for years. It almost never left my side for nigh on three years. However, as most good things do, our companionship came to an abrupt end upon employment with the long arm of the law (Sheriff's department and campus police). And shame to end all shames, this brutal separation was done with a lowly Fusion! *Gasp*

I now feel a sense of freedom, as I move on to the next parts of my life without Beard. I have searched the world wide web over for ways to smooth the rough patches in my life. The great counsellors Soap, Brush and Blade have set me loose in the right direction, but I have fallen victim to the most common pitfall along this most treacherous of roads: RAD!

I beg of you, from one afflicted shaver to the next, to not ignore my plea for help. Can any victim of RAD properly consider themselves a true 'victim' with only one vintage razor to their name? I think not. This takes a collection of shiny sharp things, which your generous offer would set me well on my way to acheiving.

I shall name her Dolor Dulce, as parting with Beard is such sweet sorrow, and christen her with my own blood (sooner or later, most likely).

Thank you

papaface

I would just like to thank everyone who has entered so far! I have been checking regularly and reading what you have to say, and thank you for sharing.

I will be away this weekend, so I unfortunately won't have access to the internet until Sunday evening. Bit I will announce the winner Sunday evening (I'm not going to give an exact time). The razor is all ready to go, so I can mail it out Monday morning.

I did say the contest would go until tomorrow at midnight ( -5h GMT time), so anyone who still wishes to enter please feel free until then.

Just a reminder that I am offering to mail the razor to a honemeister if the winner chooses, so be prepared to let me know if you would like that option if you win! (The razor is still shave-ready by my standards, I shaved with it on Monday just to make sure. So you won't be getting a junker :p)

I am NOT entering, although I had planned to until I read some of the posts from other members who clearly need it more.

Best of luck to all of you, and I must say, a very generous offer.

Thank you for the offer.

Recently, I have been working on self-awareness and self-discipline in order to mature as a man. I am trying to give up bad habits and develop good ones. The art of wet shaving would be something very valuable to invest time in. I could really use this gift as a major element in better grooming and skin care.

While researching straight razors, I found this forum and have been reading posts and articles on the wiki. I feel like this is something I could learn and keep with me for life. It would be such a useful skill to have and pass on to family and friends. This razor would be a great start.

Like some of the other candidates, I am also a student, studying graphic arts. Using a straight razor is also another type of art. The same care must be taken when preparing the materials, executing the techniques, cleaning your tools, and storing your supplies. I would appreciate learning this traditional art form.

Although I am not from Canada, my name is also Dave. Thank you for your consideration. Congratulations to whoever wins this fine prize.

I have been wetshaving for about 1 year. Good collection of cream, soaps, and safety razors. Recently, I have really had a desire to start shaving with a Straight. So I purchased a cheap, supposedly shave ready blade, and it jumped all over the place and did not feel too sharp. So I know it may be another AD for me, but I would really love the chance to try a quality shave ready straight.

I also appreciated the chance, so if I am chosen, I can guarantee the razor will be PIF'd in the future. I would just use this opportunity to use a quality blade for a couple months, and if I catch the bug, I would pass it on to another newbie, and invest in my own quality blade. Thanks for the opportunity.

Jeremy

I wouldn’t like to win this razor… I would LOVE to win this razor!

I am a 17 year old student in my last year of high school. I have been accepted to Point Loma Nazarene University. In the past few months I have discovered that college is REALLY EXPENSIVE! I never really added up all of the expenses that go into college like dorms, books, food, tuition etc…

I have always been the person who preferred going back to the “old” ways. I would rather drive a beat-up 1965 Ford Mustang, than a brand spankin’ new Mustang. I love to wear my Grandpa’s old belts from when he was young. I listen to barbershop quartets as opposed to the latest hip/hop song. What I’m getting at is that I would love to add straight razor shaving to my arsenal of ways to live in the past.

I first got interested in straight razor shaving when I saw the movie “The Patriot”. Colonel William Tavington (Jason Isaacs) shaves by a river using a straight razor. I had never seen people shaving with knifes before. One thing lead to another and before I knew it I was researching straight razors on various mediums like Youtube, Ebay, and Wikipedia. My love affair grew :D.

I started thinking that I could probably save tons of money by using a straight razor (instead of using those pesky disposable razor heads). I could buy one straight razor, and that would be all of the supplies… WRONG. I soon found out that my money saving scheme might not work out after all. I would have to buy a badger hair brush, strop, hone, soap and a razor. Now that’s a lot of money right there. But I was hooked already. Just the thought about getting the so much talked about BBS shave was such a cool idea (not to mention the exhilarating feel of putting an extremely sharp object on your throat).

Another reason I kept researching the straight razor was because I have had severe acne for several years. To try and calm the acne down a bit I decided to switch to an electric razor. It did calm the acne down a bit, but the shaves were horrible! :mad:There are so many things I hate about it. It doesn’t glide across your face. It gets caught in your head hair. Not only can you feel the whiskers after the shave, you can also SEE them. It’s just an all around bad experience. Some good things about shaving with straight razors that I have read up on are: There is less irritation because you are shaving with only one blade. Less bacteria than a disposable razor (all the bacteria gets caught between the multiple razors on a disposable razor). It exfoliates the skin, and unclogs pores. It would be a win win situation if I use a straight razor. I would get a close shave with the straight razor, and shaving with it wouldn’t inflame my acne.

I have been researching straight razors, technique, and prices since September 2008. My problem is that I try to look for the perfect razor; A razor that is cheap, and is also top of the line. Of course, this is nearly impossible, the cheap razors always have pits, rust, deformed edges, worn down spines, and cracked scales. If I receive your razor, I will finally be able to jump into the straight razor world (figuratively of course :p).

I can assure you your razor would be in loving hands and that I will post pictures and results of my adventures with… well, I can’t name her until I see her, it’s just one of those things. Once I graduate from my newbie shaving world and acquire better razors, I will pass your razor on in the same manner you did. It would be a pleasure to receive your razor, and then help a newbie after I become a master of the art of straight shaving! :rock: Thank you for your consideration. :)

Hello all!

I have chosen the winner, but to avoid any disagreements I have decided not to publically anounce it. I will of course PM the winner, so if you receive a message from me, you win!

I would just like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for taking the time to write all of your meaningful responses, it was truly a pleasure reading all of them. Choosing the winner was a VERY hard decision, and I wish I had more razors that I'd be willing to give away to make the decision easier!

Once again, thank you all.