How much to spend on 1st razor.

So Im in the Mil, I shave everyday, and 24$ per 8 razors every 2 weeks(thats buying on base w is 3 bucks cheaper then walmart) makes for like 600$. Even when shaving WTG,then ATG, its still not smooth.


Ive got some questions.

Would It be better for me as a beginner to spend more money on a dovo thats pre honed by the guys at classic shavingDOVO Straight Razors

or go with a C Mon thats half the price and hone myself?C-Mon Cadillac Razor-5/8”: Bowman Beauty & Barber Supply


and about honing.

How much will I actually be doing it. THe forums here say as much as every 2 weeks, classic shaving says as little as twice a year. I shave every morning, I cant even grow a full beard thru my jaw line, and its not even that tough.

Whats the least expensive hone I can be successful with if im using a canvas and leather stroap? The Norton 4000/8000 seems to be a pop choice, but its pretty pricy.

First, welcome!!!
I would get a dovo from Straightrazordesigns, or vintagebladesllc. they both come honed by Lynn, and are a really great Razor. C-mons are excellent shavers although that was with the older ones, the newer ones that you posted, dont seem to be soo great, and judging by the price, i would say they are not. Also if you are looking at honing( though i would recommend you holding off until you can shave confidently with the straight) the norton 4/8 is great as a starter, Good Luck

G'day & welcome LNG.
Hate to tell you but buying a str8 isn't automatically going to give you a smooth shave.
As for honing you'll likely do more damage than good at this stage.
Buy the pre honed Dovo. Learn how to strop & shave with it then consider the honing or you will introduce another huge variable. It would also be better to practice honing on a "practice" razor not your new daily shaver.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LandsNGrooves

So Im in the Mil, I shave everyday, and 24$ per 8 razors every 2 weeks(thats buying on base w is 3 bucks cheaper then walmart) makes for like 600$. Even when shaving WTG,then ATG, its still not smooth.


Ive got some questions.

Would It be better for me as a beginner to spend more money on a dovo thats pre honed by the guys at classic shavingDOVO Straight Razors

or go with a C Mon thats half the price and hone myself?C-Mon Cadillac Razor-5/8”: Bowman Beauty & Barber Supply

and about honing.

How much will I actually be doing it. THe forums here say as much as every 2 weeks, classic shaving says as little as twice a year. I shave every morning, I cant even grow a full beard thru my jaw line, and its not even that tough.

Whats the least expensive hone I can be successful with if im using a canvas and leather stroap? The Norton 4000/8000 seems to be a pop choice, but its pretty pricy.

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LandsNGrooves,

Welcome to SRP...

+1 on the previous post. If you are just getting into str8 razor shaving its best to get a set that includes at minimum a razor and a strop (3" width preferred). A Dovo "Best Quality" or a Dovo "Special" razor strop combo would fit the bill. Whichever razor you purchase, make sure that it has been professionally honed.

Add some inexpensive shaving cream (Ingram or Erasmic) or soap (Col. Conk or Edwin Jagger) and you're almost set.

You'll also need a brush and a bowl or mug. You can probably get a decent starter brush from your local drugstore or PX. You can buy a small cereal or dessert bowl from a local discount store to serve as your first lathering bowl.

Of course, don't throw away your disposables or mult-blade razor just yet. Straight razor shaving requires more time--at least in the beginning--than safety razor shaving. You may need something for a quick shave some days.

Finally, don't even worry about honing at this stage of str8 razor shaving. You don't need to hone a razor every two weeks. That's far off in the future, say a year at the least. You can cross that bridge when you get to it.

Just my 2 cents.

Take care--and smooth shaving.

I'm with these guys. Go for the Dovo and down the road you can pick up a barber's hone for touch up when you need it. If you start out trying to hone it you won't really know if you have a beginners technique issue to work on or a dull razor.

If I remember right nashvilleknifeshop.com has what looks like decent beginner kits that include everything and a pre-sharpened razor. Maybe some of the guys on here have done business with them before and can comment.

Have fun and enjoy,


Steve

You already got the right advice here from thewatermark and onimaru55.

Buy shave ready. It's not that you can't learn to hone while learning to shave, but I don't think you will get many people here to advise it. To hone properly, you need to know what sharp means. At this point you don't, so it will be difficult.

Buy shave ready, either from the two sources mentioned here or from one of the members in the calssifieds.

Invest in a good strop at this point, not a hone. I don't know anyone here honing every two weeks, even if they are shaving evey day, unless something damages the edge.

Good luck and enjoy.

David

If I had it all to do again, I would have started off with a shave ready razor from the classifieds here. I love the old vintage blades and the ones you buy here will come shave ready at a very good price. You dont' need to spend $140 on a good razor. you'll need that money to buy a GOOD strop, brush and cream/soap. ultimately, you will be spending more money on the face prep/lather/after shave than on the razor. Dont' skimp there.

Goog

so would this one be good?
Waterville's Special Long Grind - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

Round toe and 6/8

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LandsNGrooves

so would this one be good?
Waterville's Special Long Grind - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

Round toe and 6/8

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Is that a trick question ? :D
Go for it

I'd just like to echo Oz's comments. Straight razor shaving will not guarantee a better shave, in fact while you're learning it could well be slightly worse.

Get a shave ready razor from SRD or another known seller or the classifieds, and learn how to use it. Then start getting in to the honing..! :)

Good luck and keep us posted!

I'm in the military too and also have to be clean shaven every day.
My advice would be to also get a DE razor while the straight technique is being developed. The blades are cheap, last as long as any cartridge, and are good for cleaning up missed areas and for days when time is short.

As to advice on the straight, I defer to the previous and future contributors.

Jim