Looking for the first one...

So I've been thinking about getting a straight razor for some time now and have finally decided to go ahead with it. I've been looking around and like what I see with Dovo and their Renaissance and Bismarck blades. Both of which are a bit on the pricey side (for a college student graduating in a few days), and since it would be my first razor I'm wondering if it might be a better decision to buy something cheaper that is still of good quality. Any suggestions? I've looked through the classifieds but am not well versed enough to make the decision on my own.

Words of wisdom? Ideas?

This is available in the classifieds for $50, and the one below it for $60, shave ready.

5/8 Square Point Otto Birkhofer, Gemany - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

Hi. Welcome to SRP.
You've found the right place for this new interest of yours:)

The 2 razors you are mentioning are both great shavers, and they would serve you well for decades to come.
If they are a bit on the price side, then I recommend, as you have already done, looking at the classifieds right here on SRP.


The standard recommendation we usually give is to find a razor in the middle of the spectrum, meaning both size and grind.
However, any properly sharpened razor will work.
My personal recommendation for you would be a 5/8" or 6/8" sized razor. Half hollow or something like that will work fine.

If you feel at all troubled by buying products from strangers on the internet, let me just tell you that I've seen so many razors sold from the classifieds, and so many happy shavers as a result:)
I myself have bought a bunch from there, and I am nothing but super happy about every single transaction.

Another tip is to use some time reading in our WIKI.
It is a great resource for a lot of the questions you have, and will have, as soon as you start shaving!
Feel free to ask if there is anything on your mind, there are a lot of really great and knowledgable guys in here. And they are more than willing to help out:)

Thanks a lot! I guess the follow question would be, if I pick up a professionally sharpened blade, how soon after will I likely need to buy the rest of the equipment (strop, hone, etc.) to maintain the blade? If I should really have all of those from the get go I may end up looking into some of the wet shaving sets offered on straight razor designs.

You should have a strop to go along with the razor. You'll probably want a brush also to make lather with which of course means buying some soap.

You should get a strop, a brush, and a quality soap right away.
A razor will need to be stropped before, and preferably after, every shave. The edge will deteriorate rather quickly without that.
Hones, you should wait a bit with that. learn to shave first, then start focusing on honing.
A barber hone or separate strop with paste for touch would be good.
That should keep you going for quite a while:)

Besides the strop, make sure you get a quality soap, as mentioned above. Look at the recommended brands in the reviews here. Even though some of them are pricey, they do last a long time.
I don't know where you are, but in central texas lots of stores carry a brand Herban Cowboy (also sold under the name Natural Grooming or something like that). Don't buy their shaving soap! It dries out on your face right away and also makes your face dry, leading to LOTS of abrasions. I've tried both of their soaps, and they're horrible. Their boar's hair brush is pretty lame, but for $7 I guess it gets the job done. Anyway, buy a quality soap (or cream), it will make learning to use a straight a lot easier.

The least-costly option for razor and strop (you need both) is probably

Whipped Dog Straight Razor Sales

For a "budget razor" that shaves well, Larry's prices are hard to beat. His "Poor Man's Strop Kit" includes both a leather strop, and pasted strops. Should keep you going for months.

A brush and shaving soap (or shaving cream), you can find in most drugstores.

Charles

So many great choices to choose from. Both your Dovo choices are fine razors, but due to thumb notch on the Bismarck, I would not make that your first.

The notch makes it a very pleasant holding position while shaving, but learning to strop with a notch I don't think is the best route.

IMO A traditional flat shank will work better to learn stropping technique and smoothly flip the razor as you change your stroke on the leather

Chemist,

If you want new build, I would suggest the Dovo Best. This is available in 5/8 & 6/8, half or full hollow.

An extremely competent workhorse of a razor :)

Straightrazordesigns have them for ca 69 USD.

Have fun !

Bets regards

Russ

Congrats on your graduation, I'm doing the same in about two weeks. I started recently as well; if you have any questions about getting started, feel free to send me a PM and I'll help out as best as I can.

Lots of great options out there.

Strops - You can get a great starter strop from starshaving.com, whippeddog.com, ruprazor.com, or make your own!

Brushes - As for brushes, I just dove into this hobby myself, and bought the VDH boar brush at CVS or Walgreens for like $8. I also saw the whole kit of soap, brush, and bowl at my local grocery store for $8.99! I didn't really give the brush a chance to break in, and may not ever, because I bought the Shea Moisture badger brush from Super Target for $10 I think. The Tweezerman badger brush is available at lots of local retailers for about $15, too.

Soaps/creams - This is a really personal choice, so ask 20 people and you will get 40 different answers :D I like and have been using the VDH deluxe soap the most. It is VERY inexpensive, and works great. William's Mug is in that same vein. Both locally available. I just tried the Bath and Body Works labeled Proraso cream and it is nice, too. Very menthol-y and tingly. Really nice in the morning. I think the great big tube was $10, should last a lifetime. Oh, don't forget to get a bottle of glycerine at CVS to make uberlather :) Oh, my review of the Shea Moisture shave butter/cream from Target is that it smells nice, but I probably wouldn't buy it again. It isn't a big lather maker.

Razors - These guys have given you lots of great feedback on razors, and I would listen to them. Anything from the classifieds here for ~$50 that is shave ready should have to set, at least to learn to shave, strop, etc. I probably did it the "wrong" way and bought a bunch of eBay specials, hones, etc. and am teaching myself to hone and restore them. BTW, I got both of my regular shavers this way. It is more expensive and time consuming, but I am a sucker for a new hobby :D

Anyway, I hope this helps!

Well guys I finally did it, I just ordered my first razor!!!! SO PUMPED! I got the wet shave set from SRD with a 3" strop and the sandalwood soap....I am so excited to shave with the new gear for the first time! Thanks for all the advice!

p.s. do the same people that run this website run SRD???

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Chemist

Well guys I finally did it, I just ordered my first razor!!!! SO PUMPED! I got the wet shave set from SRD with a 3" strop and the sandalwood soap....I am so excited to shave with the new gear for the first time! Thanks for all the advice!

p.s. do the same people that run this website run SRD???

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Great choice!
I'm sure you will be happy with that kit.

Lynn Abrams, who founded SRP is also the proprietor of SRD. I believe he runs that place with a partner called Don.
Also a member here:)