Nervous about first buy

Frustrated too. I've read the beginners articles as recommended. Lots of great useful information. Yet I still do not feel sure about making a purchase. I notice a Gold Dollar for sale with a strop for $38 in the classified, but I dont see that name on the either the Good or Stay Away from list and I wonder is that to little to spend? I also see the sets and individual pieces on SRD. Looks great, but should I be spending $160 to get started before even knowing if I like shaving this way?
I'm guess at this point I'm going to make myself a cup of coffee and just keep reading.
Any thoughts or suggestions are appreciated.

Hello, MrCoffee!

There is a Gold Dollar thread (http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...ar-razors.html) that pretty much says all there is to say about these razors.

I'm also a newcomer both to the forums and to straight razor shaving, so we're both in this together. I'm sure that soon someone will come and give advise that we both can use. :)

Cheers from Copenhagen!
Jerome

While the entry level price of the products from SRD (and other vendors) is higher than that of imports from Asia, their resale value is also higher. So the risk is limited. The SRD strops are in a completely different league, and since you can replace nicked leather strips, they also make great beginner strops in my opinion.

Hello to both of you--and welcome to SRP.

The nervousness you feel is perfectly ok. It grows out of your uncertainty of venturing into new territory for both of you. Don't worry.

As for recommendations for str8 razors...Personally, I would stay away from the Gold Dollars. They look attractive price wise, but I think that if you spend a bit more you can get a much better razor--either in the SRP "Classifieds" or from one of the vendors who advertise here at SRP.

That's my advice for now. There are other SRP members who will most certainly weigh in with their tidbits of advice.

In the meantime, relax and have fun browsing the forums here at SRP.

Take care.

Hi MrCoffee,

I am new like you, and I was in your same position. I went the Gold Dollar route / Filly strop route to start, it was affordable and like you I wanted to be sure I liked shaving with straight razors. Well after a few shaves I knew I would enjoy it thoroughly. The next thing major things I bought were a Dovo Rennaissance from SRD, as well as an SRD Black Latigo 3" strop. I wanted to know what the improved blade quality brought to the table, and I felt I was past the early strop nicking stage.

I find the Dovo to be miles apart from the Gold Dollar, and much nicer to look at. The reason I bought it was to remove any possibility of the razor being dull from the equation of getting a great shave. It did that and my shaves are improving as a result.

So, to sum up, in my opinion only, go directly to a Dovo/Boker/Thiers-Issard starter set, from a company you can be sure will deliver it to you shave ready (ask here which ones do that, SRD is one example, and I think classicshaving.com as well). Odds are you will like shaving with a straight, and if you go the route I did in the end you won't save money because you'll be browsing stores right away looking to upgrade that Gold Dollar. But, that being said (and this is just my opinion) you can experience shaving with a straight razor with the Gold Dollar and it would get you by long enough to decide where you want to go from there in terms of an upgrade (whether to buy new, or perhaps a vintage shave ready off the classifieds here).

my first setup was a gold dollar/filly strop combo from ruprazors. The gold dollar is still in my regular rotation. Ive had it for over a year now, and Ive only had to run it over the paste side a few times. Thats my experience with them.

Dovo Best quality, and one of the SRD premium strops should be a great starter purchase.
The razor comes with one free honing certificate too.

Welcome to SRP, MrCoffee!

I bought my first razor from the classifieds here at SRP, and although I can't remember the exact price it was cheaper than a new production model sold through a vendor. It was advertised as "shave ready", and if you've done your homework and read up on the definition of shave ready you'll know it's a subjective topic. Was my first razor truly shave ready? I couldn't tell you now as my personal definition of shave ready definitely has changed (I can't remember who honed it, someone not very well known here), but it did shave hair.

My point is this: The classifieds can be a good place to start, if you know the seller can adequately hone a razor. I realize this is a catch-22 because you will not know who is reputable. Or you could buy from a venor who utilizes the services of a honemeister and pay more for the peace of mind.

The choice is ultimately up to you. I'd suggest two things: Listen to the advice of members here, and secondly don't be nervous. After all it's just an appliance that removes whiskers :)

Go with Dovo Best Quality with one of their strops.

If it doesn't work out, sell the razor and strop on here

Here was my line of thinking when i was in your position: I didn't want to drop a bunch of bank on something that i didn't know that i would like. I was also nervous about dropping, dinging, bending, or breaking the razor.

I decided to go with a new Dovo Best Quality 6/8 razor because it had a rounded point, was a good 'starter size', and had a good reputation. It is also sold shave ready. Plus, there is a picture of them on the wiki page talking about starter razors on badgerandblade.com, so how could I go wrong? I purchased it from straight razor designs because it came with a certificate for a free honing. I figured if i didn't like straight razor shaving, i could send it to get honed and then sell it for a reasonable price. I was betting i could at least $60 for it and would take about a $25-30 loss.

I chose a filly strop for $20. I figured that the CrOx paste would help prolong the life of my edge which would help to delay the amount of time before i would have to drop bucks on a hone. Plus, it was affordable and everyone says, correctly, that you WILL nick your first strop.

With the benefit of hindsight, i think i did a very good job choosing my starter set. I have been VERY pleased with it and i think it ran right around $105. My only regret is that i wish i would have dropped the extra cash for the imitation tortoise which i think looks awesome. On the other hand, it would have increased my razor expenditure by significant amount percentage wise and there was that time i almost dropped it. Oh, and the time i DID drop it. Luckily, it was on the carpet and there was no damage.

Maybe you should try a 5/8 Tortoise shell Dovo, and if you don't like it, we can work out a deal? ;)

An inexpensive way to try straight shaving is to get a straight razor that takes disposable blades. This will come in handy when you travel as you may not want to cart around your nice straight razors.

In the long run of using a straight razor day in and day out and having it perform well continually is a good test of its value and quality.

Does it take an edge well?
How long does the edge last?
Balance?
Integrity?
Shaving experience day after day?

I have seen some new razors brands that look pretty, but I keep asking myself some of the questions I listed above and that is where SRP reading comes in handy.

SPR Vendors also want to advise you right as they know you will be back for more if you are happy with what you buy from them.

Many newbies think they will only have one straight razor, but end up with more like most of us. So don't be nervous about your first purchase. New Dovo's and TI's tend to keep much of their value if you wish to resell them on SRP.

Have fun and good luck!

Pabster

Welcome!

I have to say, from what I've read I'd stay away from the GD's as well. Razors are like any other tool, poor quality tools perform badly and dont last as long as good ones!

You would be better off with the DOVO best quality and strop from SRD. This will get you on the right track and, as others have said, they hold on to their resale value far more.

I started with a DOVO Black Star that I got from Trumpers here in London, which I went for after reading about DOVO's here. They are great razors, well made and hold an edge. The shave has a real zing to it, and they are a joy to use.

Good luck and keep us posted!