Thread: Need some advice please

I am looking into getting a nice setup. This will be my first straight edge. I want to purchase a razor, a brush, and a strop. There are so many of each I don't know where to start so I have come here for some recommendations. What are some decent razors, brushes and strops for a first timer. I want something new, not used. I was looking at the Dovo bismarck 6/8 perhaps?
Thanks in advance,
-Anthony

Welcome!

There are some very helpful articles available here that will help you.

The Beginners Guide: Straight Razor Place Wiki:Books/Beginners Guide - Straight Razor Place Wiki

The FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Heres the link to the main Wiki page: Straight Razor Place Wiki

The first thing to do is to do some research and read both the Beginners Guide and the FAQ as these will clear up a lot of the questions you have. You dont need to read the whole Wiki, but the FAQ and Beginners Guides are must reads when you start out.

There is also a search function on the forum here at the top of the page where you can search for specific things that interest you.

Check out the Vendors Corner here on the forums as well, for places that sell the kit you're after. Straight Razor Designs sell shave ready DOVO Bismarcks as part of a full kit of all you need, including strop, brush and soap.

Good luck!

Thanks for the quick response. I have read up on all that already. I am just stuck on choosing the type, brand or models I guess you can say.

My first razor was a DOVO Black Star 5/8, but the Bismarck that you mention would make an excellent first razor. As I say, SRD sells the full kit with the razor, brush, strop et al. so that could well be a good way to go?

The SRD strops are excellent and any razor you get from them will definately be shave ready..!

Whichever you decide, I would try to get everything from one place or you will end up with half the stuff you need one week and will drive yourself crazy the next waiting for the rest to arrive. I never knew a week could be sooooo long.
I started with a 6/8 dovo best quality from SRD, along with the Castle and Forbes sensitive lime cream, a simpson wee scott brush and a Filly strop. Shortly after, I added a 4/8 henkels from cedarfurnitureman off ebay and a Tony Miller heirloom strop. The 6/8 was easier to strop, the 4/8 was easier to hit the tight spots and has since become my favorite, mostly because the faucet reached out and got my Dovo, but I do like the smaller size too. CF makes a great cream, it has served me well, I just received a tub of dominic carceni(?), the scent is great but I havent tried it in a shave yet, from the great reviews i have read I am sure it will be wonderfull, since the only things I have seen negatively treated is the scent. My next upgrade will be a thater 22 or 23 mm brush. I am starting to fall right inline behind BeBerlin in his belief that a beginner should try to get the highest grade of product one can when starting out, you will get there eventually just look at all the aquisition disorders around here, might as well save the money we spend on the "cheap" stuff in the beginning. I havent bought anything I havent liked, but if I had it to do over again, I would have started with the stuff I am using now or am about to, a good shave ready razor in a mid size, a TM or SRD or Rup premiuim strop, either CF or better cream or high quality soap(i have only used cream), a Thater brush in 22 to 24mm size, and maybe even keep the filly since I use the paste on the back to refresh my edge.
But like so much that has to do with Str8 shaving, you results will probably be different, and will be customized just for you, by you.

Anthony,

First, welcome to SRP.

You can go with any of the previous suggestions in terms of sr=tr8 razors. Personally, I would go with the "Dovo Special" since you are a beginner. It is aesthetically pleasing to the eye and gives shaves every bit as good as more expensive razors. Whoever you purchase it from, though, make sure that it is professionally honed before you buy it.

+1 on purchasing a combination set--rzor, strop, brush, soap, etc.--from one of the vendors who advertise here at SRP. Buying your shaving kit as a package can save you a little money. I would recommend upgrading your strop to the 3" width as opposed to the 2" width. It will make stropping your razor easier to learn in terms of technique.

Just my 2 cents.

I would definitely not go for the Bismarck. Its tang is narrow and has no jimps - this will make holding the razor difficult for a beginner, both while shaving and stropping. I recently recapiulated my experiences so far: http://straightrazorpalace.com/shavi...fferently.html. If you want a shiny, functional razor, this one may be of interest, too: http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...003-5-8-a.html. SRD strops are great, and I would absolutely get a Thäter brush. And Castle Forbes Cream and After Shave Balm, but that is very much my personal preference.

Happy shopping, and keep us updated.

Regards,
Robin

Looks like you've got some great advise here. Welcome to one of the best forums out there. Stick around!

Anthony,

Both the 6/8 Dovo Best & 6/8 Dovo Special (Tortoise) are super shavers

The Dovo Best's are also very well priced, and very easy to maintain. I have a soft spot for them, and still use my Best regularly.

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

i got my start from vintage blades LLC it was the fake turtle shell 5/8 dovo round point(came shave ready honed by Lynn)
2" strop w/ D rings and a rooney brush even came with a mug and some soap