Welcome to SRP. :tu
I started this thread a while ago. I think you can use a lot of the answers in that thread?
http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...ter-razor.html
:gl:
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Welcome to SRP. :tu
I started this thread a while ago. I think you can use a lot of the answers in that thread?
http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...ter-razor.html
:gl:
Anything from RD is good! Welcome to SRP!
Yes, there is a difference and you will certainly notice it, however it may not be the difference you expect. I.e. you may get better results with the 3x cheaper razor, or it may be the other way around.Quote:
Originally Posted by dreadlocks1221
I don't have a sensitive skin, so I can't really help with the soap question. Though the T&H luxury soap smells of lavender, quite nice, I must say. Penhaligon's depends on which one you get.
Personally, if your heart is set on a stainless steel razor I'd go with the cheaper of the two. You won't be able to recognize any difference in the quality of the shave. Boker's have a reputation as excellent shavers, although my experience is more with the vintage rather than the newly manufactured Bokers.
As for the shaving soap...If you have sensitive skin, I'd recommend Mitchell's Wool Fat shaving soap to start our with. Light lavender smell, is mild on sensitive skin and delivers a great shave.
Just my 2 cents.
Thanks for all your help so far,
I am not personally set on a stainless steel blade, I'm just not sure if I should go vintage for my first blade, but could be open to getting one with a strong enough recommendation for a particular model.
For Penhaligon's I was planning on going with English Fern
As a "newbie" into the straight razor field, I don't have the experience that most of the other members of this site have. But I would suggest purchasing a couple of "cheap" razors from the classifieds on here. Not that they are cheap on quality, but they are refurbished and cleaned up. And everyone that I have made a purchase from on this site has been extremely helpful when I had any questions regarding the purchase.
The reason for buying two is so that you can keep one on hand that you don't use unless you believe your regular one is getting dull, then pull out the one you have been saving and test it to see if it is your blade or just how you are using it.
I purchased two "cheap" razors from here for $35 and $40 each. And so far they have been excellent razors to start with.
Lavender can actually be a skin irritant but it may be dependent on the concentration & also your skin. You will likely need to experiment a little with soap choices.
I would either go with the cheaper boker or a razor from the classifieds here. You really don't need a glowing reputation on any make or model to know that it will preform well. Vintage blades whether from Germany or England, are known for quality and the members here can be trusted if you have any questions just ask the seller and he will let you know if it's a good starter razor. One last note whether new or vintage make sure you get your razor "shave ready" SRD is a great site that does thui but there are other sites out there that sell "factory honed" razors that are not "shave ready" and you'll cost yourself an extra $20 getting the razor professionally honed. Welcome to SRP and goodluck.
Thank you again,
I'm already looking through the classified ads ^_^
I'd go with a cheaper Dovo. Often, the higher price is reflected in the scales, not the blade. Look carefully at the razors. You'll find a bunch of them have exactly the same blade (read: same shave quality) but the scales are more exotic as the price goes up.
Also, stainless blades are great. But, while they stay sharp longer they take longer to sharpen. Personally, I don't think a beginner would notice the difference between a very good $100 razor and a $1000 razor. But then, I've never shaved with a $1000 razor. Ask Lynn. I'm sure he can give you an honest answer.
dread::: have you gotten a complementary shave with straight razor anywhere??? look for one in your city. If there is Art of Shaving store you can go and get one. I got my fist st8 razor shave there and started doin research. I got a feather razor first before jumpin on the real thing.
Ask questions and perhaps end up buying one from them . AOS razors max go up to 270 usd price wise.
... I'm looking at a Iwasaki jpns razor from the same store.
But if you have decided on the 'real' st8 razor then dont stop just get it. dont forget to get a strop + strop balm to horn.
Hello and Welcome. Any razor you buy from srd will be great and ready to shave.
I keep repeating the words that somebody else posted in another thread:
Anything else is just fine tuning.Quote:
To a shaver, there are two kinds of razor:
. . . a sharp razor, and
. . . a dull razor.
I find the notion of a "beginner's razor" meaningless. Barbers -- who are professionals -- used the same common makes as everyone else. If it's made of decent steel, and it's sharp, it'll shave well.
Charles
Thanks for all your advice, so far I've decided to get two vintage razors from the classifieds for a cheaper price. When I get better I'll probably drop more money on a nicer razor
As long as you live! You will never need a $300 razor!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes they are nice to have and to beable to brag about, But I use a Dovo "best" and it shaves just fine. You may be saying to yourself how does he know if he doesn't own a $300 razor? I do. I like the dovo best.......JR
To be frank, if you have the means, I would highly recommend buying a brand new blade with a professionally honed edge. In doing so, you will always have a benchmark to compare other blades against.Quote:
Originally Posted by dreadlocks1221
With a new, professionally honed blade, you'll never wonder how tight the pivot pin should be, how centered the blade should close in the scales, how shave-ready it truly is, etc. This would allow you to judge for yourself the condition of the vintage blades you acquire in the future.
In addition, new Bokers are great razors. You can't go wrong with either choice.
After long and exhausted deliberation and searching as well as asking for advice, hubby and I both have decided on getting a Boker Edelweiss...one for each of us. More or less because there reputable and have a good price tag on them, and there not all frills and so we wont be worrying about keeping them polished like med cabinet queens lol keep them clean and sharp and they will serve as work horses for learning and as a go to razor.
Later on we might get some thing fancy :D
But yes I would say Boker is a safe bet, as well as any TI or Dovo. Can't go wrong.
My personal opinion:
$350 may be a bit much to spend on a beginner razor. Those Boker extra Hollows are amazing once you have your technique down. Many beginners who start this journey, yours truly included, find it easier to shave with a stiffer grind (1/4 hollow to wedge-ish). In other words, something that has little feedback and flex. The hollow and extra hollow blade flex a lot and, if your technique is not quite up to par yet, you may find it frustrating.
I suggest looking around for a stiffer grind in the 5/8 to 6/8 size range. Once you get your technique polished up, you will be able to enjoy (and appreciate) the Boker Extra Hollow more. That is purely my opinion though
Welcome to SRP! I'd agree with everything that's been said so far...even the parts that might seem conflicting!
Then I'll add this; buying a couple cheaper (price point, not quality) razors to start with means you can replace them if you rap them against the sink or faucet, drop one, etc., and have a back up if you roll the edge, blunt, or otherwise prematurely wear the razor.
An alternative to the classifieds here (nothing against them) is whippeddog.com the proprieter of which is also a member here and sells good shavers on the bottom end of the price range. The don't have fancy scales, etching, or high polished blades (usually anyway), but like SRD they are honed and made shave ready, specifically for guys starting out.
I have no affiliation with whippeddog, and would include a promotion for the classifieds if it hadn't already been done.
Best of luck!
Jim