Noob with a question

Don't we all have a question :)

I started shaving with a straight razor in high school - thanks go to my Uncle for that. Anyway, to make a long story short I find myself in need of a new razor and living in Arizona. I have searched these fine forums for a couple days and either I'm not doing it right or there is nowhere around Phoenix to go and look at a quality razor. I don't mind ordering online but prefer to check locally first.

If anyone can point a local shop out that would be great, if not I'll go through one of the forum sponsors.

Thanks,
Paul

I would suggest a look in the classifieds. Other than that, you'll probably have to show online. Not many "local" shops anywhere. Cheers and good luck!

I'm not familiar with Arizona but would be surprised if you could find a place to se straight razors besides antique shops and flea markets. If your original blade isn't chipped bad or cracked it may be salvavable. For a new blade try SRD or some of the other vendors that advertise here. There's also the classified section of this site. Be sure to get your 'new' blade shave ready.

Good luck!

Just to ad that there are a few in the classifieds right now from reputable gentlemen that are at great prices and quality razors that DO come shave ready out of the box. If it's new you want, best bet is the internet, quite a few great sellers there also that would be glad to help you either though email or phone. GL and ENJOY!!!

+1 on advice for checking into the classifieds, at least you'll know the razor is shave ready. However, you might find new razors for sale in upscale tobacco shops. There are a few shops here in Tucson that have new Dovos, but I doubt that they've been honed and are shave ready. Best of luck.

Welcome to SRP. Why not take a look in the 'razor clubs' forum here where you'll find a little bit of everything, vintage, new and custom. That will give you an idea of what members favorites are and what is out there to be had. If you want a new razor there are some real good internet vendors that help support this forum to be found here and new and vintage razors in the classifieds here.

Get the yellow pages and start calling barber shops. Ask for old barbers, or anyone who knows anything about straight razors. You'll scare up a few that are still around, even though they are retired. (I found one the other day who knew a lot, had a lot of equipment, and was still working at 79 years of age.)

Right, the market is very small, so b&m vendors are hard to come by. Try to find 'Art of Shaving' near you, they usually have Thiers-Issard razors. Other than that you'll probably know your local specialty stores that may carry straight razors better than most of us.