Thread: Set up for a newbie query?

Hi everyone, my first post of many i hope.

Been wanting to get a straight razor for a few yrs now, and im about to order my first 'kit' and before i commit would love any advice, I hope after all this reading ive picked the right stuff for a total novice.

Ive been reading all the helpful advice on here and im finding it a bit daunting tbh , but that i know is to be expected im sure eventually i will crack it.

So heres what im thinking of learning on and plan on ordering it tomorrow night, hopefully when ive had some feedback from this post.


Dovo ‘Special’ razor 6/8 blade from this site under 100 priced at £88.35
I was also going to buy a 'kit' from the same site Shave kits & Accs. probaly the traditonal priced at £68.69.


I am a little concerned about the 'shave ready' of this razor, after reading lots here about honing i know it not something im ready to do at all at the moment. So im hoping this one is properly ready.


Just out of interest i did look in our classifieds and i really liked this one stimpy52 was selling but unfortunately he says he doesnt ship internationally so i didnt buy it , i see it is now sold to. Would this have been a nice blade for me? http://straightrazorpalace.com/class...owpretty&cat=3

So please feel free for any comments on my plans to buy . Having read a few horror story's about ppl who have bought the wrong thing at the start apart from the waste of money they didnt enjoy it.

Cheers MW.

The Dovo's are a fine razor, but if you are going to get one, why not get one from Straight razor designs? It will come shave ready that way. I bought my first Dovo (and first cutthroat) from a razor shop, and it just had the factory edge. It could have been a bit sharper, but I didn't know that at the time, and as such, my first experiences suffered.
The other alternative, is of course, to find somone nearby you who can hone. we have members who live in the UK (I assume you live there as you quote in pounds) that can do a fine job of honing. Maybe one will pop in here and offer their services.
That trad kit you link to will get you off to a nice start. The strop will be on the narrow side I think, but many of us start off with the narrower strops (and many prefer them), but some of us go for wider later on.
No use dwelling on the razor that was sold...It's gone.


Mick

I agree. It appears to be a solid set--and the razors are advertised as honed and shave ready.

If you want to make sure, contact them via email and ask if their razors are honed after shipment from the factory before they are sold.

Some great advice, so quick. Thanks guys.

Ive updated my location.

York, UK sounds familiar; I think we have a member there and I think he's posted in the honing threads. Check our Google map under the Community drop-down and see who's close by.

I think the Dovo 6/8 will be an excellent first blade.

Watch for postings by Neil Smith, another UK member--his knowledge is encyclopedic and his writing is very good.

Good luck and best wishes to you.

Originally Posted by roughkype

York, UK sounds familiar; I think we have a member there and I think he's posted in the honing threads. Check our Google map under the Community drop-down and see who's close by.

I think the Dovo 6/8 will be an excellent first blade.

Watch for postings by Neil Smith, another UK member--his knowledge is encyclopedic and his writing is very good.

Good luck and best wishes to you.

OOPS! I meant Neil Miller in this post too.

Sorry whiskey I was a little late to the party. I bought my first razor and strop from that site before I knew about SRD and this forum. They do come ready to shave right out of the box. While their Strops get the job done, I find that the for a rookie such as I a 3" would have been a little easier to learn on. I would recommend upgrading to the 3" strop unless you've already ordered it.

My first razor was a 'Best Quality' by Dovo from that site. My second was the Special with the tortoise shell from SRD. You won't regret it. Its still in my rotation. I'm hoping my wife gets me me the Latigo for christmas! Great minds think alike.

I also recommend picking yourself up some witch hazel to splash after the shave. I have sensitive skin and its a fantastic post shave\pre after shave balm splash.

All the info might be a bit daunting but you're already ahead of the game by being a member here. This place is fantastic for finding an answer for any question. Good news is you already picked a no regrets kit to start with that you will use even after you increase your razor and brush count. Also, have no fear screwing up your razor because you should be getting a free re-hone from Lynn when you buy from SRD. So even if something happens to it, Lynn to the rescue!

Don't get too frustrated to start. Its a steep learning curve for a lot of people. Like Lynn says, Have Fun!

Well i sent an email to them asking about the honing, was hoping for a reply today so i could place my order but nothing. Hopefully tomorrow.

Thanks for the good advice jhenry. I will carry on with my research in the mean time, just want to get started now.

Still no reply from Dovo UK . Im already to place my order to. Come on Dovo!!

Just 'phone them up and ask then. Or order from someone known to sell 'Shave ready'. SRD definately sells 'shave ready', and if it's a case of spending money in your own country, well Dovo is a German brand anyway. Don't worry about it. Just get the kit you want to get and hook in on the learning curve.


Mick