Choosing first razor?

Until now I have been using a dovo straight razor with the disposable blade. I would like to step up to a real straight razor though. Can anyone explain how I should choose my first straight razor? I want something that isnt too expensive, but will last and will still be useful later on when I buy more, better razors.

I just started looking at Dovo's on classicshaving (http://www.classicshaving.com/page/page/522940.htm) and there are so many different ones. What are the differences to look for between all these razors? It seems like for any given prices there are tons of different blades that are seemingly the same. Also, aside from classicshaving and billy's blades are there any other good websites to look at?

Thanks, Jordan

Contact one of these guys here and get a "Shave Ready" razor. John Crowley has a good sale going on 5/8's at The Shaving Shop. Also for razors and excellent strops The Well Shaved Gentleman. There are several others Billy's Blades, Joe Chandler is one. Ask for them to PM you with what they have.
You will get a "Shave Ready" and save yourself some headaches (not to mention your face will appreciate it)

yeah i second that. i was against it at first--too impatient to wait for a shave-ready and i had already ordered a bare bones dovo from classicshaving--but i soon got a second (a shave-ready from a guy here for thirty dollars) and i'm glad i did. it's a quality razor (a torrey), and if i hadn't gotten it, i really wouldn't have known just how close a straight can shave and how sharp they can be. it's good advice, and even if you're like me and only really wanted one everyday razor, you can use it for travel or as a spare.

The first thing to do is describe what kind of beard you have.
light, average, tough, thick. The tougher and thiicker your beard then the stiffer the razor grind the better. A wedge, 1/4 or 1/2 hollow grind works better than a full hollow grind for tough or thick beards.

So, what kind of beard do you have?