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Welcome to SRP. I think you're making a good choice with the razor and the vendor. Get at least a 5/8 IMO. You should strop your razor before and after every shave so a strop is a must have. The same vendor has razor/strop sets. Check out the SRP Wiki beginner's guide here if you haven't already done so. Lot of good info in the Wiki to start and keep you going in the right direction. :gl:
Welcome!
The DOVO Best Quality you link is a great starter razor and will be shave ready from SRD. Lynn, the owner of SRD, is the founder of SRP and has forgotten more razor knowledge than most of us will ever know! Definately a great place to buy from.
But you will definately need a strop: A strop is probably one of the most important elements of straight razor shaving and you should be using it before and after every shave to keep your razor in the best condition.
Without a strop your razor will dull very fast and TBH I'd be suprised if you got more than about 3 shaves from the razor before you noticed a marked deterioration in the edge.
Definately definately get a strop! SRD sell them and you can get a 3" latigo for a very reasonable price.
It would also be worth picking up a brush and some soap as this will also enhance the shaving experience.
Its better to get good quality kit now and have it last the rest of your life than to skimp now and have to shell out later.
Hope thats of some help!
Definitely get a strop.. from personal experience it will not take long to have your shave go south without one. I have fine hair and can go 2 or 3 days without shaving before anyone notices. It took about 4 shaves in without a strop to notice a difference in quality of my shave especially in the beginning when I was learning to use a straight.
If you are on a tight budget you can also check out the Classifieds for a shave ready razor that may be a little less expensive than the Dovo or there is Whippeddog.com that sells kits for new straight shaver at a fair price to get them started. Larry the person who runs it is also a forum member here.
So far so good on your choice - go for the 5/8 and get a strop for sure.
If I may ask - what is your total budget? People here can help you better if we know.
Well i think 60 euro is the best i can do at this moment :( .
I just started about a week ago with a 5/8 Dovo invisible edge. I don't have a lot of experience, but the razor performs pretty well. 4 shaves in and I can get bbs, but with a lot of irritation.
ADVICE: don't press too hard. that's the biggest mistake I've been making. Got my best shave last night by letting the razor do it's job.
OK, so we are talking about $85.00 US.Quote:
Originally Posted by SinQ
That would cover the Dovo Best 5/8, but not a strop.
So have you checked the SRP classifieds for a shave ready vintage? Also, if you want new, what would it take to save up another $25. You could get a razor/strop combo from SRD for that.
If you're in Europe, the postage from Straight Razor Designs may be very high. Also, that Dovo is making a round trip across the Atlantic:Quote:
Originally Posted by SinQ
. . . Solingen --> USA --> wherever you live
There are some razors in the Classifieds from European seller, occasionally.
There's an English dealer (for Dovo, and other razors) you might try:
Introduction to razors
Postage will be lower.
Charles
PS -- I bought my Dovo from Lynn at SRD; a very nice razor, nicely honed.