Thread: Ready to purchase a SR set from SRD. Need some advice

First, let me say that I think you're making a good choice in vendor. Buying a Dovo from SRD is a very good option especially with the lifetime honing offer. I personally don't own a Best Quality DOVO because I started with a vintage razor that I was able to get cheaper. I do have a DOVO in mother of pearl that I absolutely love, though.

5/8 or 6/8 are both equally recommended for new guys, and the only real consideration of the point type is that you just have to be mindful of that spike or square tip all the time. If you aren't careful, you will end up slicing your cheek with a square tip while shaving other areas (happened to me several times when I was learning). That's the main reason that many recommend a rounded tip for new shavers.

Strop: Personally, I'd change the option to get the best strop available, and also get a cheap strop like a Filly ($20 from rup razor) until you get the hang of stropping technique. Then you'd be able to get the most out of your strop from SRD without as much risk of damaging it.

Good luck, and enjoy the journey. Welcome to SRP too

What is your budget?

I too am partial to the non-round points. If you want to get the least expensive blade with a spike point, look at the 5/8 Ebony. It looks like it's the same blade as the Bismark without the bone handles. The Bismark is very well regarded on these forums.

I wouldn't worry too much about damaging the blade while stopping. Sure you can mess up the edge, but it will dull eventually no matter what you do. You won't be able to hurt it enough that Lynn can't fix it. Since you get lifetime honing, you can get it fixed up easy enough in case you do dull the edge by poor stropping.

You should be more concerned about ruining the strop. The standard advice here is to not get an expensive stop as your first. I agree 100%. I made my first strop. I didn't nick it for many weeks. It wasn't until I had a "real" strop coming from SRD that I nicked my old one. I'm sure glad it was that one. I didn't get the upgraded strop and I ordered the razor/strop combo as well. I find the 2" latigo plenty wide. You need to learn the X pattern anyway, so the 2" might help force you to use good form. It's often been said, but it's worth repeating... Go slow, stropping isn't a race.
Doing it well is much more important than doing it quickly. Read the wiki on stropping. There is valuable info there

The Filly from Rup is another good option for a started strop, but I think the combo deal at SRD makes the 2" about the same price and you get a nice swivel and handles. The 2" latigo from SRD is a really nice strop. Another option is to order a Tony Miller strop. Some consider his the best! When you buy a strop from him, he offers a "practice strop" as well for only $7.50. You can only get it when ordering another strop I believe. This would be an ideal option as you get a strop to ruin and then have a nice one ready when you are ready for it.

Make sure you read the wikis. There is a lot to learn at the beginning. Read the posts from other newbies and learn from their mistakes.

Welcome to the site!
5/8 or 6/8 is a good place to start. Usually round points are recommended so you don't lose an ear, but since you've been dealing with what is effectively a spike at each end of your current set up, I'm sure you'll be ok!

You will damage your first strop. The SRD strop's are lovely. You should probably save it till you've had plenty of practise. Kenrup does a good honest starter, as does Tony Miller. Consider them too. If you want the ease of buying from one place, get the strop, but bear in mind, you will want another when you feel more proficient.

At first welcome.
Second buying from SRD AT THE MOMENT IS PRICELESS.
GL

Welcome to SRP.

I am impartial wrt the razors. I find the imitation tortoise visually unattractive, but otherwise a nice razor - that is personal preference, though.

As far as the strop is concerned, I would indeed upgrade to the 3". Damaging the strop is not an issue, either, as you can get replacement parts serparately. Which makes the Filly strop a far less attractive offer than if your budget was restricted.

And unless you had already planned to do that or already own such, do get some quality soaps or creams.

Happy hunting, and do keep us updated.

Regards,
Robin

Welcome to SRP. I like a 5/8 as much as a 6/8 and personally think one is as good as the other. I too would go with the 3" upgrade on the strop. I really love the premium 1 but like everything else in wet shaving it is largely personal preference. Check out the SRP Wiki beginner's guide here if you haven't already.

esp,

My vote is for the 6/8 fake tortise Special - I think the scales are the bees knees. I have one and use others as well, but it won't leave my rotation. Both it and the blond "Best" have jimps on the top and bottom of the shank which I think is an advantage. My hands are maybe a bit bigger than average and the razor just "fits". I also am a fan of the 3" strop. I've never nicked or sliced a strop, so I'm not sure if it is necessary to start small and cheap. As with shaving just watch the blade and you should be fine.

good luck, good shaving,

welcome to srp.
i quite like the tortoise special too, although if you need to do sharp lines on your face a square point can't be beat.
i do like 2.5" strops best but after using 3" ones for a while i'm kinda used to it, but given the option wouldn't take it (yes it may be strange, but that's how it is).
I prefer 6/8 to 5/8 too, but i don't think you should worry too much. usually the difference is about $5, so if it's an option pick the 6/8.

good luck

Originally Posted by gugi

welcome to srp.
i quite like the tortoise special too, although if you need to do sharp lines on your face a square point can't be beat.
i do like 2.5" strops best but after using 3" ones for a while i'm kinda used to it, but given the option wouldn't take it (yes it may be strange, but that's how it is).
I prefer 6/8 to 5/8 too, but i don't think you should worry too much. usually the difference is about $5, so if it's an option pick the 6/8.

good luck

I quite agree with you on the 2 1/2" strop. I'm using 2 3" strops now, but I'll switch back to 2 1/2" with my next strop purchase.

For my budget I would say 150$-160$

In the last few hours I've been thinking it would be better to just consider just a SR and Strop set. With the Wet shaving set I would be getting things I need but , I could use that money on a better razor that would have the free honing for as long as I own the SR. The Bismarck?

If you guys even think its better for me to just by a nice SR from SRD and buy the Filly strop I will.

There also will be time for me in the future to get my spike. I'm on the fence with the Spike. I guess what I'm using now is a round point?



The main issue for me now and in the past is the learning curve for proper strop technique. It was always the reason why I never bought a true SR.

How will these "True" SR compare to my current razor?

I also plan on buying Lynn's DVD.