Absolute Beginner Advice Needed!

Hi guys! My name is Greg and I am completely new to straight razors. I am very excited to get into this interesting hobby. I have been checking out this forum a lot and could not resist becoming a member after reading the information that you all have shared. Now down to business: I looked on SRD and many many other websites and I really like the DOVO Silver Steel Prima razor. If you guys think this is a good idea, I plan on getting it in a set with a black 2" latigo strop, a Simpson B4 Pure Badger brush, a mug, and soap. I am looking for the bare essentials now, but I do not want to buy inferior quality and end up upgrading in the near future. Do you think that this is a good first razor (since it is on SRD, it will be shave ready) and that I should get this set, or do you have other recommendations? I really have my heart set on this razor, but I am open to ideas. Thanks a ton guys!

Sounds like you're on the right track and you can't go wrong ordering from SRD. Since you're an absolute newbie, make sure to read the wiki for more shaving information!

Welcome to SRP! :)

Welcome to SRP Greg. The only thing I would advise you to do differently is to go for the strop upgrade to the latigo or the premium 1. Reason being they are 3" width. Some guys like a 2" but I am not one of them. The latigo is plenty good and a lot of guys like that but I love the premium 1. Leather is like butter. Good that you're reading the forum and doing the homework. :tu

This could just be my SS/SC AD talking, but I wouldn't skimp on the soaps and creams. I would suggest experimenting with the different products to find something that feels good on your face. If you want to scrimp a bit, you can buy just the refill pucks and throw 'em in a coffee mug lying around the kitchen.

Welcome to SRP and good luck! :gl:

Edit: Did I say "skimp" and "scrimp" in the same post? :gaah:

Greg,

You can't go wrong buying a Dovo--esp. when you buy it from Straight Razor Designs. In fact, I have a Ebenholz "Prima Silver Steel" myself. Isn't she a beauty?

I would recommend, as in previous posts, that you consider upgrading to a 3" strop. It makes stropping your razor a lot easier. I also agree that you not skimp on your shaving soap or cream. That said, you can still get a quality soap such as Tabac or a cream such as Proraso that won't send you to the poorhouse.

Finally, don't forget to order Lynn Abrams' "World of Straight Razor Shaving" dvd. It will pay huge dividends to enhance your str8 razor experience down the road. I know that it has for me.

Welcome aboard...

Nice choice , Dovo is still in business for a reason ... they make a great product , upgrading the strop to a 3 inch is a good idea but here is the problem
you're going to spend more money on the upgrade , you being new to straight shaving and stropping , you're most likely going to nick the heck out of the strop until you get technique down , so lower end strop to practice on and end up getting another or go for the go for the upgrade and risk nicks , the choice is yours .

" You wanna die with a mans gun , not a little sissy gun like this "

nope, it's not low quality, take these since you like them.
i owned that razor twice actually :)
it's about the only dovo which i like the gold wash on and i always liked the feel of the ebony.

I'm starting with stra8 razors that have disposable blades just to get my angles and skills down. Once I get it down and am comfortable, and once I can afford to get a good Dovo and all the essential sharpening gear, I will upgrade.
If anybody has used stra8's w/disposable blades and then moved to a normal razor, can you tell me if i'm missing out on anything?

Hey there! I'm a total newbie as well, but I thought I'd just throw in my hypothetical knowledge from reading lots of very well-informed people here.

I haven't heard a single bad thing about DOVO, so that sounds like a good way to go. And of course, SRD has a great reputation. Can't go wrong.

There's a list of razor brands that SRP considers good brands here:
Good Straight Razor Brands - Straight Razor Place Wiki

And the not-so-good ones here:
Brands of Straight Razors to avoid - Straight Razor Place Wiki

One recommendation, though. If you're going to spend money on a good strop, practice your stropping before hand so that you don't ding it up as much.

I've read of people using butterknives and such things, since most people hold the straight completely open while stropping, as though it were one long piece.

I'm practicing with a butterknife on a pair of jeans, just to get the feel of it and to practice turning the razor without any mishaps.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by salazch

I'm starting with stra8 razors that have disposable blades just to get my angles and skills down. Once I get it down and am comfortable, and once I can afford to get a good Dovo and all the essential sharpening gear, I will upgrade.
If anybody has used stra8's w/disposable blades and then moved to a normal razor, can you tell me if i'm missing out on anything?

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Never having used one I can't really say but there's an article on the Shavette in the Wiki that may be useful.

I'd recommend an inexpensive strop to learn with. Most people tend to nick their strop a few times before they get the technique right. Stropping and shaving take some practice. Nicks to both strop and face usually occur in the early days. Come to think of it, I'd like to upgrade to a more handsome face.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by welshwizard

I'd recommend an inexpensive strop to learn with. Most people tend to nick their strop a few times before they get the technique right. Stropping and shaving take some practice. Nicks to both strop and face usually occur in the early days. Come to think of it, I'd like to upgrade to a more handsome face.

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+1 on this advice... I'm on my third strop for this reason...

-Chief

Hey guys, I can't thank you all enough for your info. It has helped me a ton and it's great to see so many helpful people on this forum! I have decided to keep everything except with a 3" strop and better soap. Thanks so much!

Greg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by salazch

I'm starting with stra8 razors that have disposable blades just to get my angles and skills down. Once I get it down and am comfortable, and once I can afford to get a good Dovo and all the essential sharpening gear, I will upgrade.
If anybody has used stra8's w/disposable blades and then moved to a normal razor, can you tell me if i'm missing out on anything?

---

You will be missing most of the experience.

I have and use a blade holder that uses half of a DE blade. I use it those days when I don't have time for decent prep. It feels much harsher and is much easier to nick myself with, while at the same time being sharper and more forgiving of incorrect angles.

A real straight is far more comfortable when sharp but requires more precision, yet is more forgiving as far as cutting you.

Wow so it really feels that different huh?

Very much so.

The technique is similar, but its like the difference between a Vespa and a Harley.