Thread: Getting my First Straight

Over the last several months I have been thinking about getting my straight razor. I had a double while I was in the Navy but gave that up several years ago after not being able to get good blades in the middle of nowhere.

So now I am tired of my electric as well as the multi-blade not giving the shave I wanted. I have been looking at the Dovo Blackstar 5/8 set with 3 inch Latigo Strop, some shaving cream (thinking Sandalwood), and a badger brush.

Any other thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks.

If you get the blade fully shave ready, that would help a lot (in fact, it's almost mandatory, IMO!)

One big recommendation in my books: The starter kit often recommended is a good strop, good razor good brush and good cream... I always suggest a good barber's hone too... That's all you really need to start, and better to get it sooner than later. Otherwise, it's all good.

make sure its shave ready (honed by the wendor not factory edge)
Other than that i think you picked out a good kit
Oh remember AS balm and an astringent

Good luck

Not sure if you're on a budget or not but that's a fine setup to start with or use for a lifetime. Some would say the latigo is a risky move since newbies tend to scratch/nick their first strop but that's up to you. Make sure you get that razor professionally honed.

If you're looking for something else there is always a stepdown strop that's available and of course the used presharpened razors here in the classifieds. That reminds me, I've got to add some razors I'm meaning to sell....

Welcome to SRP and welcome to straight razor shaving. Enjoy the experience.

Originally Posted by ShavedZombie

If you get the blade fully shave ready, that would help a lot (in fact, it's almost mandatory, IMO!)

One big recommendation in my books: The starter kit often recommended is a good strop, good razor good brush and good cream... I always suggest a good barber's hone too... That's all you really need to start, and better to get it sooner than later. Otherwise, it's all good.

Thanks, I am also looking into the hone.

Welcome to SRP.
Dovo makes good quality razors, so then you have to make sure the edge is up to the task. The easiest way to do is to get it from a vendor like straightrazordesigns, where they'd hone and test it before sending it to you (they also will rehone it later on for free, so that's a pretty nice addon). Then to maintain the razor sharp for longer than a cartridge or DE blade will last, you'll need to strop it between shaves. It's best to get a leather+fabric strop and not just leather. The fabric component has a long term benefit.
If you're worried about cutting the leather, if your strop is one of the modular ones instead of the illinois brand, you can later buy just a new leather piece and have it look nice again. But since it works better as the leather gets broken in, I wouldn't replace it unless it is unusable. What I'm saying is that in my view unless your budget demands it, there's no reason to go for the cheap strip of leather type strops.

Originally Posted by Longrange

Thanks, I am also looking into the hone.

Don't!

You want to learn shaving, not honing your razor. The hone is unnecessary, at least for several months, and you can use that time to concentrate on the shaving part without having the temptation of damaging the edge with a hone.

Placed the order a little while ago.

1 x Dovo "Black Star" Red Pakka 5/8" Straight Razor Set (400210)
Choose your Strop 3" Red Latigo Leather
Choose your Brush Simpson Beaufort B4 Pure Badger Shaving Brush
Choose your Mug Black Super Shave Mug
Choose your Soap Sandalwood

Now for the wait.

Make sure it's shave ready! When first starting out, shave when you have extra time so you do not rush things.

The razor is supposed to arrive shave tested and lightly oiled. I chose my purchase with this in mind. Purchased from Straight Razor Designs.