Thread: Best no-frills, no-BS shaver for a newbie

So thanks to this forum for providing so much great info and helping me learn a lot about straight razors....it always awesome to find really cool, helpful niche internet communities like this one. Anyway, I'll make it quick

From the research I've already done, I've pretty much concluded my first razor should be a 5/8, round point, hollow or extra hollow ground blade (probably carbon steel, but stainless would work) around 3-3.5" in length....if I can find one that is already well-honed, all the better!

Here's the thing....all I really care about is the performance of the shaver. Aesthetics and collector's value are of absolutely no concern to me. The Dovo "Best Quality" seems like it would be a great bet if it weren't $80.

Genco seems like a good bet....also looked at Boker, Henckels, Puma, Wade&Butcher and the others suggested on the wiki page, but decent ones seem to fetch upwards of $50 on eBay and even more on the classifieds here (unless all those SOLD! ones I keep missing are the good deals). Where are all the $30 workhorse shavers that I keep reading about? Are they extinct?

Anyway, I'm a musician....I can't afford ivory scales or gold inlays....but as a former luthier, I can't compromise on a blade. Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Jonny

PS: Should I still be really picky about small scratches and light wear on the blade as long as it's closer to the spine than the cutting edge? Or is that mostly of concern for aesthetic value?