Thread: Getting first razor

Hey guys, I'm getting ready to buy my first real straight razor and was wondering what I should start out in? I'm on a semi-restricted budget range, but I don't necessarily wanna just buy a razor and upgrade in a few months to a year. So I had a few questions:

1. Should I buy a lower end razor because of any worries that I might ruin the blade?

2. In the 60-100$ range should I buy new or used?

Originally Posted by boxcutter3005

I'm on a semi-restricted budget range, but I don't necessarily wanna just buy a razor and upgrade in a few months to a year.

As for budget, remember you'll need a strop and a razor. Depending on how tight your budget is, you can buy an inexpensive brush and soap at a beauty supply shop or CVS.

Originally Posted by boxcutter3005

1. Should I buy a lower end razor because of any worries that I might ruin the blade?

That depends on how uncoordinated you are . Seriously, I wouldn't buy a lower end razor just to save a few bucks. The most important thing about the razor is that has been made shave-ready by a respected honemeister. I'd buy the best razor you can afford. Although you occasionally hear horror stories about someone dinging their brand new blade or strop, most of us manage not to mangle our gear.

Originally Posted by boxcutter3005

2. In the 60-100$ range should I buy new or used?

I'll leave this for others to answer - to some degree its a matter of personal preference. There are some really nice restores in this price range.

I think that with all of the other accessories you should buy with a straight razor I would recommend that you seriously consider a razor in the classifieds. You can generally find a great deal on a properly honed razor for a great price.
Don't worry about ruining the blade. The more you worry about it the better chance that it will happen. Besides, for every blade you hear about getting ruined here there are many more out there that have never had troubles.
Don't forget the member run sites with razors specifically for new shavers like:
Gem star customs
Holli4pirating

search in the vendor section of this site for links. I personally have owned razors by both of these gentleman as well as a few from the classifieds and I have no complaints.

I would say go for the classifieds. You can find good quality razors for relatively inexpensive prices. Plus you know that people posting there are not trying to screw you. If you want to buy new I would suggest going to one of the sites that are typically recommended here like Straight Razor Designs or Classic Shaving. There are many others and if I try to name them all I will certainly forget one and feel bad. Good luck.

Thanks for the help guys! I went and got one off the classifieds and also ordered a strop from rup.

Originally Posted by boxcutter3005

Thanks for the help guys! I went and got one off the classifieds and also ordered a strop from rup.

You're pretty much set to go then dont forget about a decent brush and soap..the prep can be as important as the razor.

Originally Posted by boxcutter3005

Hey guys, I'm getting ready to buy my first real straight razor and was wondering what I should start out in? I'm on a semi-restricted budget range, but I don't necessarily wanna just buy a razor and upgrade in a few months to a year. So I had a few questions:

1. Should I buy a lower end razor because of any worries that I might ruin the blade?

2. In the 60-100$ range should I buy new or used?

"Upgrade" ???

Read this site carefully for a while. When somebody asks:

. . . "Is brand X good?"

there's often somebody who responds:

. . . "I have one, and it's my best shaver".

This happens with almost every "X" !!!

My conclusion:

. . . One decent razor brand shaves about as well as any other brand.

I'm sure there are exceptions. But the main difference between different carbon-steel razors are how well they're finished (engraving, working of the spine, etc), and how they're scaled. [Note that I said _decent_ razor brand - see the "Razor Brands to Avoid" in the Wiki for warnings.] [Note that this statement doesn't apply to stainless-steel blades, or exotic tool-steel alloys like the "O1" in the Hart razors. But you're not in that price range, yet.]

I have a Dovo "Best Quality" (new, $80 from Straight Razor Designs) and a Boker (made in 1893, $7 with broken scales, self-honed) (among others), and they're both nice blades.

There are dozens of brands, out of Sheffield, Solingen, and the US, that will shave you well for a lifetime. Your "beginner razor" could very easily be your _last and only_ razor.

That's the _rational_ side of my brain speaking.

There's also RAD -- razor acquisition disorder -- that afflicts many of us. It's not so much

. . . I don't like my razor any more, and I'd like to upgrade

but more like:

. . . One more razor would be really nice.

In which case, you can spend as much as you can afford.

My suggestions:

. . . Get an inexpensive vintage razor from the Classifieds (on this site) or

. . . Whipped Dog Straight Razor Sales

. . . or another SRP vendor (several have independent websites).

. . . Don't buy an expensive strop for your first strop.

If you decide to get a new razor, the Lynn-honed Dovo "Best Quality", from Straight Razor Designs, offers very good value.

Charles