First Razor Suggestions

So, I'm ready to take the plunge, and I'm not sure what to buy for my first razor. I have a strop, brush, and the rest of the accoutraments, but I have been trying to decide on a razor, and I wanted to take advantage of the SRD deal with the free honing for life.

I'm a cheapskate by heart and that makes me want to just get a dovo best, but I'm not sure that it will give me a good shave for the forseeable future.

The other end of the spectrum is that I don't like to buy crap either, and I would love to get something like the ebony silver steel dovo, but all they have on SRD is the spike point in stock. I'm a bit leery of safety concerns. I just don't want to decide in a couple months that I regretted buying the dovo best, but I also don't want to spend a ton on my first in case it all doesn't go well.

Suggesstions. And no I really don't want to get a shavette.

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There's nothing wrong with the Dovo Best Quality. I have one and it is one of the more consistant shavers in my rotaion.

I started with a sight unseen razor from whipped dog...ended up being from "draig razor company"...comes ready to shave and at $48 for razor/strop I liked it..thinking of buying one off of srd too while they have a good deal going.

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Not bad....I may do that as well and add a barber's hone...

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A Dovo Best 5/8 was my first SR. I have no regrets what so ever. Gives a real nice shave and is easy to keep sharp. It's in my regular rotation.

I'm highjackin this thread a bit. What would be a good de to Start with?? Loving straight but wanna try a de

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How about a Shavette?

When I started with a straight my thinking was identical to yours. My first razor was a Dovo Silver Steel. Dont get me wrong the Silver Steel is a fine razor and very atractive, but if I had it to do over again I would go with a Dovo Best in 6/8. With the Silver Steel the higher price covers the gold wash on the spine (and it is nice). Having said that I think a 6/8 is more controlable when you are still learning to use a straight (especialy with your weak hand) than a 5/8.

Dovo Best because it's, in the beginning, all about the shave.

Nothing wrong with the Dovo base model, so be rest assured you are not buying crap. Besides, SRD wouldn'd sell it if it was. But if you did decide to spring for a nicer razor (aesthetically) the Ebony is a nice choice too. Don't worry too much about the square point, the fears associated with them are mostly unfounded. I started out with a spike and my face is still intact :rofl2:

The Dovo Best quality is a nice razor, I had some minor rust issues at the pivot but nothing I couldn't overcome, it's a very nice shaver (I got the 6/8 from SRD so the edge was quite tasty when I got it :) ) but if this is your first foray into SR shaving I'd second the recommendation that the whipped dog special is the way to go, it was my first str8 and it's a great deal

The bottom line is it's a quality piece and a basic piece and if taken care of will outlive you no matter your age.

i just got my first razor a few days ago. its a Hart Steel 7/8 square point with jimps. im very impressed with it. craftsmanship looks superb. had my first shave wth it today, and im very happy. buy what you like, and what feels natural in ur hand.

This is sounding like an (almost) broken record . . .

I have a Dovo BQ (from SRD) and a bunch of vintage straights, none of them expensive. They all shave nicely, and will do so for decades.

Stop over-thinking the question, and either get the Dovo or (if money is tight) a blade from Whipped Dog or the Classifieds on this website.

Charles

The only thing I might add would be to tailor to your face/beard, hand size. 'Take a size XL glove? The 6/8 will have a larger grip surface on the shank and be a bit more comfortable to hold and articulate. Brutal heavy beard? Maybe consider a heavier grind. If your hands/beard are avg, there's almost no bad choice. I've shaved w/ the 5/8 and the 6/8 BQ. I liked them both, though my large hands are more comfortable w/ the 6/8. Going vintage would keep the prices low and usually be an upgrade in quality.

Thank you to all replies. I've contacted the gentleman at whipped dog.

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Originally Posted by geauxtig3rs

Thank you to all replies. I've contacted the gentleman at whipped dog.

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You won't be dissapointed. I went with the sight unseen deal with full sized barbers hone. Larry is a really good guy to do business with and will answer all of your questions, no matter how dumb. The razors aren't the pretteist, but thats not the point. They come shave ready and the one I got gives an exceptional shave.

I think there is a lot of nice stuff on the classifieds here. Lots of helpful folks. Whipped Dog is obviously a hero, but I wouldn't be shy about buying something you see on the classifieds. All of mine are older Swedish straights now and they have all worked well for me. The real key is finding someone to hone for you during the first few months. You will kill the shave ready quality in a couple weeks with your newb stropping (if you are anything like me). And once the blade is not sharp, no amount of technique is going to produce a good shave.

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Originally Posted by AFDavis11

Dovo Best because it's, in the beginning, all about the shave.

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+1 on the base Dovo best. Although, once you learn how to handle it, I think you'll quickly find that you may need something else. i.e. either heavier/lighter grind or larger/smaller blade. The Dovo 6/8 is practically in the exact middle of the razor spectrum, it's a great way to start.

Ordered a 6/8 dovo best yesterday. Shipped today. Cannot wait!

Started with a razor from whippeddog...but couldn't resist..also just ordered 2 de's from a member here.

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I have the dovo 5/8 and love it. From my own research that seems to be one of the better choices for a beginner's razor. STD is awesome. Unfortunately they didn't have that deal goin when my parents got the stuff for me for Christmas. I'd definitely take advantage of the opportunity to get free hones.