Advice for a newcomer to Straight Razors....

Hi All,

I have recently been drawn to the idea of using a Straight Razor over the cartridge razors I use at present.
I have been for a Straight shave at a Barbers and loved the experience hence I want to start having a go myself.
The site here is just fantastic although I need to read some more of the posts you guys have put on here so sorry in advance if I am asking questions that have been answered before.
I am looking to buy a new razor but from what I have read so far unless stated the razor will need some kind of honing if I have it right, so I don't know which razor to get, Dovo seem to be everywhere on the net but any advice would be great.
Do any companies still use Sheffield Steel, or any English manufacturers still making razors?
Also does it matter which strop I get the hand held type or stretch type and is there any difference like one is better to use than the other?

Thanks in advance for any advice Scott....

welcome Scott,

most of the good vendors such as straightrazordesigns, classicshaving and vintageblades sell all the new razors after they've been honed. so buy from one of them and you'll be fine.

thiers issard used to use sheffield steel, but they've been switching to new machinery and tempering. the reports are that the new razors don't have the same feel as the old ones used to.

for daily stropping most people use hanging strops and not paddle or loom, but both types would work.

Welcome to SRP. I too enjoy the site. It is full of useful information.I would check out the WIKI for brands to avoid. I bought my first one before I knew about SRP and had to send it to be honed. My second razor is a DOVO with the imitation tortoise shell scales. I would say to stick with a DOVO or TI to start with. I bought my DOVO from straight razor designs and had good luck. In terms of a strop, I would say to go with a hanging strop.

Welcome to SRP Scott. The above posts are good advice for buying a razor. I like a hanging strop myself as my main strop some guys like a paddle or a loom strop. Whatever you do get check out the SRP Wiki here for tutorials on all things straight razor related and feel free to ask forum members any questions you may have. We all started with questions and got them answered here so no apology is necessary.

Indeed, Welcome to SRP!!!! As a semi-newbie to this, I would also second taking a look through the Wiki and reading up on everything in there. Once you read through a few pages you'll get some idea of everything. Once you have the knowledge, hop on over to one of the sites that gugi mentioned and see if any razors peak you interest. You might also want to take a look at any razor and strop sets, as these are all you really need to get started. Another place to look, that was not mentioned, is the SRP Classifieds. If you don't like the new razor prices, there are plenty of razors to be had for much cheaper. Most razors in the Classifieds are sold shave-ready too. Hope you enjoy your stay at SRP:)!!!

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome and advice, I am just looking to buy my first razor in the next few days and I think I am going to plump for a Dovo for starters and then get the hang of things and maybe get a second one later on.
I did see a razor on the Vintage Blades site but unfortunately the guy Jim only ships to the U.S. so I am looking again, I am not in too much of a hurry so I am going to do some more trawling the sites see what I can find.

Thanks again for the kind replies Scott

Bummer, keeping going. I bought my first Dovo from Jim - It is a Dovo Tortoise and it performs well for the money. Performance wise, it hangs in there with my big straight razor performers.

Perhaps you can buy one from an SRP member in the classifieds.

Pabster

have you talked to them? i seem to remember that he was particularly well set up with shipments to canada where the customs taxes were take care of at the time of your purchase...

I did email Jim from Vintage and got a reply saying as of the 1st of March this year he no longer ships outside of the states.
I did end up buying a new Razor and Strop from Lynn's site instead and cant wait to try it out when it arrives after I have read some more on the process of using one that is :)
Its one of the Dovo Genuine Bone Razors so see how it goes, I think I am going to enjoy shaving again too.

Cheers Scott