Choosing my first straight razor.

I'm sure this question must be asked all the time, but I just wanted to ask others what I should look for in my first straight razor. I read some stickies about choosing a first straight razor and I know that I should not expect the most luxurious shave from my first straight razor. I just want one that can give me a really smooth shave and no irritation. That probably has to do more with technique though. I was thinking that maybe I should get a Wapi. Although it seems harder than I originally thought to find one.

You'd have to keep your eyes on the classifieds or Ebay for a Wapi or any vinatage blade. It may take some time. I don't know if price is a concern, but I usually recommend the new Dovo's. They're great blades, either a 5/8th or a 6/8th. I prefer the 6/8th. The steel is pretty much the same, so your paying for different scales. Starter models can be had for about 70.00 If you buy one from say, SRD, it comes professionally honed, and with a second honing free. They also offer complete packages if you need it, Strop, brush, etc...

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Originally Posted by zib

You'd have to keep your eyes on the classifieds or Ebay for a Wapi or any vinatage blade. It may take some time. I don't know if price is a concern, but I usually recommend the new Dovo's. They're great blades, either a 5/8th or a 6/8th. I prefer the 6/8th. The steel is pretty much the same, so your paying for different scales. Starter models can be had for about 70.00 If you buy one from say, SRD, it comes professionally honed, and with a second honing free. They also offer complete packages if you need it, Strop, brush, etc...

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Thanks for the info. I'm not sure if I want to wait around for a wapi if it turns out they aren't as common as I originally thought. I just want something very capable but cheap
(hopefully under $60). I was hoping that just meant a razor that is very good but isn't very pricey because of some reason that has nothing to do with it's performance. Like it being used or ugly. Hopefully one like that exists.

Hi Shaver, welcome!!

Listen, what your looking for can be found at whippeddog.com. Larry runs the place, and he specializes in getting beginners off to a good start for very little money.

Go look it over. You'll be amazed that you can get completely setup, with everything for under 100.00. He is an amazing honemaster and hones all the razors he sells. Great shavers. That way you can get an idea before you drop big money, plus it'll buy you the time to search out a Wapi.

Good Luck!!

M

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Originally Posted by mjhammer

Hi Shaver, welcome!!

Listen, what your looking for can be found at whippeddog.com. Larry runs the place, and he specializes in getting beginners off to a good start for very little money.

Go look it over. You'll be amazed that you can get completely setup, with everything for under 100.00. He is an amazing honemaster and hones all the razors he sells. Great shavers. That way you can get an idea before you drop big money, plus it'll buy you the time to search out a Wapi.

Good Luck!!

M

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Thanks buddy! I really like his website. Hopefully he will have a few more razors up soon. It looks like he only has one that isn't reserved yet and I don't know if that one is good or not.

Last week when I was looking at fendrihan website they had some new old stock wapi's.

I got my first here:
straightrazorsmith | eBay
Very affordable. I shaved with it straight out the package. As advertised. Nicer than I thought it'd be.

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Originally Posted by zib

You'd have to keep your eyes on the classifieds or Ebay for a Wapi or any vinatage blade. It may take some time. I don't know if price is a concern, but I usually recommend the new Dovo's. They're great blades, either a 5/8th or a 6/8th. I prefer the 6/8th. The steel is pretty much the same, so your paying for different scales. Starter models can be had for about 70.00 If you buy one from say, SRD, it comes professionally honed, and with a second honing free. They also offer complete packages if you need it, Strop, brush, etc...

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+1 Zib Great advice. I started with a Dovo 6/8th a little more than a year ago. It has worked out well for me. It taught me how to properly strop (took several months to learn this simple procedure) and to correctly hone (more well spent time). Good luck Shaver 0011. This is a lot of fun, you can learn a lot from the guys on this site if you keep an open mind.:rock:

Where do you live? I ask this because you could possibly meet with someone and accomplish several things: trying a few razors, learning to shave, strop, and so on. Having a mentor would truly get you much farther than just reading or watching it on the computer.

For your first razor, the Dovo as mentioned above or pretty much any razor from Germany, France, England, or the U.S. from the classified's will be fine and it will state if it's shave ready or not. You can find plenty of affordable razors on this site...just stay away from EBAY. I repeat, stay away from EBAY. Too much junk to weed thru.

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Originally Posted by shaver0011

I read some stickies about choosing a first straight razor and I know that I should not expect the most luxurious shave from my first straight razor. I just want one that can give me a really smooth shave and no irritation. . .

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A well-honed new Dovo, or vintage blade, is plenty sharp enough for a fine shave. Whether it will be a "luxurious" shave depends on your state of mind -- your beard doesn't care about gold wash, worked spines, or carved mammoth scales, but your head might.

Quality of shave depends on three things:

1. How good was your prep?

2. How good is your technique?

3. How sharp is your razor?

From what I read here, for most beginners, (1) and (2) are more troublesome than (3).

Charles

PS: Holli4pirating has some low-cost vintage blades:

Razors for sale « Holli4's Straight Razor Page

and keep checking Whipped Dog Straight Razor Sales and the "Classifieds" on this website.

My first razor was a Wapi and you could do a lot worse. Unfortunately as you've noticed they are not as cheap or as easily available as they used to be. They do still come up for sale in various places though if you're patient. Ask in the seller forum and keep an eye on the bay.

After looking through some websites I am trying to choose between a Dovo and J Stevens from England. Anyone have any opinions on those razors?

I went with the dovo. I am trying to show an image of it but I can't seem to put an image in.

To add a picture, you must go to the Advanced button, not the post quick reply....

Then on the bottom, choose 'manage attachments'.

That's how to do it....

Good luck mate, can't wait to see it...

M

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Originally Posted by shaver0011

I went with the dovo. I am trying to show an image of it but I can't seem to put an image in.

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Which one did you go with ??? ill post the pic if you cant figure it out right now. mjhammer has it right though.
Click reply
Click "Advanced" button
Down a little bit below where you type theres a button that says "Manage attachments" click that and you can search your computer for the pic and then click "upload" Your golden after that.

They are awesome shavers & Lynn will have it shave ready... and I mean SHAVE ready lol.

Attachment 71455Attachment 71454
These are the sellers photos, I hope he doesn't mind.

I like it. And LarryAndro was awesome to help me out so much in picking a razor.

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Originally Posted by shooter74743

Where do you live? I ask this because you could possibly meet with someone and accomplish several things: trying a few razors, learning to shave, strop, and so on. Having a mentor would truly get you much farther than just reading or watching it on the computer.

For your first razor, the Dovo as mentioned above or pretty much any razor from Germany, France, England, or the U.S. from the classified's will be fine and it will state if it's shave ready or not. You can find plenty of affordable razors on this site...just stay away from EBAY. I repeat, stay away from EBAY. Too much junk to weed thru.

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I live in Las Vegas. And thanks for the advice. I plan to stay away for ebay until I really know what I'm doing.

Dude, Maximillian is there...you should try to contact him! He makes, restores, and just might know a thing or two about a straight & how to use one. It could be worse and you could live close to someone like me...

Sweeeet.... That's a beauty!! Larry's a great help isn't he!! He helped me tons as well. Great man. His razor rolls are really nice too.. Did you get it from Whippeddog?? If so, that's great too. He's honed a few for me now, and they are great. Your gonna love it..

M