Hello new to forum

[zib]

My first razor was a Dovo Bismarck. Good call on the cheap strop. You will probably cut it....Did you check the classifieds...?

[ziggy925]

I went to ruprazor.com and looked at their beginners combo and it's the Gold Dollar stuff and I read in your forum that GD isn't good...

It's not that a Gold Dollar razor isn't good, it's just not as good as better razors. I got one and for a starter it's really nice. It has a curved blade which gives it a different shave quality, but I use it all the time -- works better on some parts of my face.

I also have a Dovo, my favorite, and prefer the blade shape better, but that's subjective.

[gugi]

Welcome to srp,

I know that you probably just want somebody to make it easy for you and tell you 'buy this', but the more knowledgeable and experienced a person is, the less they will be inclined to do that.
There are a lot of good options, so you'll have to decide your priorities. You probably wouldn't get very specific advice in an open forum but if you narrow it down you can ask an experienced member that you trust, what in their opinion are the pros and cons of them and then you can make your choice.

After all it's your face, your sensibility and your money.

[Smoothy]

Hi Keith! Welcome to, what is IMHO the best place there is dedicated to straight razors and related topics. Have fun and enjoy the shaves!

[Howe]

Thank you all for the welcome. I've made up my mind and look forward to more advice in the future.

[Alembic]

Hi and welcome,

So did you go with the Bismark and the cheaper strop?

I have a Bismark and love the razor. That razor will take you far in your jouney and you will not be looking to upgrade anytime soon. But I will say that's the case with others as well. The Dovo Best Quality and Dovo Special are both good first razors, and you would not be upgrading them because of shave quality, more likely asthetics.

There are lots of schools of thought on the strop. There is a very high likelyhood that you will nick your first strop - therefore go cheap. On the other hand, stropping is a fundamental skill and requirement before you even put the razor to your face - therefore go with the best you can justify spending money on. Many here, including myself recommend upgrading to a 3" wide strop for a first strop. It is easier to learn on, but I have not seen one in what I would call the "cheap" catagory.

If you look at something like the SRD 3" latigo strop, the leather is replacable after you learn how to strop and you nick it up. JMHO.

David