Thread: Need specific advice for first blade

I will check out that function. Thank you for taking the time to help. I will let you know if I am ever headed over that way. Thank you for the hospitality.

If you take another look at the WhippedDog website, Larry's actually got a "Rich Man's Strop" now. It's not a question of new vs. used--take a look at both that and the Poor Man's Strop Kit and you'll see the differences.

As to your second question: well, it's a fact that you're going to nick your leather strop. We've all done it; some have cut their strops so badly that they haven't been able to repair them. Larry also offers a two-leather strop deal which you can also bundle with the pasted balsa from the Poor Man's kit. I think having a spare on hand would be a good idea. And while you're learning to shave and strop a razor, there's also the possibility of rolling the edge of the blade or otherwise damaging it. This can be an expensive undertaking, and I've read several posts (a very few, admittedly) on the forums here from guys who went all-out and spent a lot of money and then decided it wasn't for them. I guess if it were me in your place, and knowing what I know now, I'd go with the WhippedDog deal, even if cost weren't an issue. Those Dovos will still be there once you've gotten the hang of this and decided you're sticking with it. Hope this helps, and good luck!

Originally Posted by Durhampiper

As to your second question: well, it's a fact that you're going to nick your leather strop. We've all done it

You know, I never once nicked a strop until I came to SRP and read that everyone nicks their strop. Now my strop has two small nicks and feathering all down one edge. This just goes to show that SRP enables everything, both good and bad.

ps. Would you still recommend a vintage blade over one of the two options listed above?

Durhampiper,
"a very few, admittedly",
"I guess if it were me in your place, and knowing what I know now, I'd go with the WhippedDog deal, even if cost weren't an issue"

Thank you for this, it sounds much like something I'd recommend to a novice in my area of expertise ;] I think I'll go with WhippedDog.

Originally Posted by Theseus

You know, I never once nicked a strop until I came to SRP and read that everyone nicks their strop. Now my strop has two small nicks and feathering all down one edge. This just goes to show that SRP enables everything, both good and bad.

SRP: The Forum of Self-Fulfilling Prophecies

Originally Posted by MorganH

ps. Would you still recommend a vintage blade over one of the two options listed above?

I've only seen vintage blades on WhippedDog, so if you buy from there, that's what you're getting. I prefer vintage blades, myself. I've got 8 razors, only one of which is of recent production (Dovo Special from SRD), and it's the one I use when I have to travel by air (it's replaceable) or when I've sent one of my others out to be honed. My vintage blades aren't all necessarily rare, but each is distinctive, and in some cases the only example I've ever seen. The one that I bought from Larry, for instance, is an etched Geneva (rare) with a cowboy roping a steer--and all the blacking is still in the etch.

Originally Posted by Durhampiper

I've only seen vintage blades on WhippedDog, so if you buy from there, that's what you're getting.

Bob Keyes sells quality restored vintage blades. I have two from him and I highly recommend checking out his site: http://bobsrazors.com/shop/catalog/browse?shop_param=

The two I got were just awesome and honed to perfection.