Beginner Setup

[Vova]

Hmmm, want to get an alternative to my cartridge razor. Just borrowed another cartridge from dad so time to buy unless I want to sink the money into another pack of cartridges. Really wanted to go disposable for the benefit of ALWAYS having a SHARP blade around and I had a shave with one recently and it was very good. So I am comparing, I can get the pretty slick (it seems) setup below for $177, or I can get the true introductory deal, get deal #2 for $80- though just the nice brush and soap makes #1 look worth it! I am working on buying a condo and the extra $100 is not an insignificant amount. To be honest, I would probably still buy the parker so I could compare the two (heck it is only $20).

So I know everyone wants to say go with the Dovo, but if you are being honest... I am just not all into the idea of stropping (though I recognize once I am good at it the extra time is minimal) and more importantly having a blade to maintain. There are a ton of reasons I love the disposable idea. On the flip side, despite the fact that a good number of people shave with the disposable and love it, the majority choose the true straight. I can't imagine the, majority of the majority (if you will) are doing it just because they are bored and want a hobby... May give up Art of Shave a call tomorrow and see if they will give me a deal to bundle all the crap/try to get close to online pricing I know they won't but can't hurt to try!

Deal 1 - $177
Dovo Best Quality Blond 5/8" Straight Razor Set <- Only because they are out of white, poo!
Your Strop - 2" Red Latigo Leather
Your Brush - Simpson Beaufort B4 Pure Badger Shaving Brush
Your Mug - Col. Ichabod Conk Shaving Mug
Your Soap - Lavender
Your Acrylic Brush Stand - Ivory
Your Pinaud Styptic Pencil - .33 ounce
World of Straight Razor DVD - No Thank

Deal 2 - $80
Van Der Hagen Men's Luxury, Shave Set $31.49
Parker SR1 Stainless Steel Straight Edge Razor and 5 Shark Super Stainless blades $17.88
Bloc Osma Natural Alum Block $9.95


EDIT: Or I guess... Though for $60 I think it might be worth a new razor, better strop and mug.

Deal 3 - $120
WhippedDog sight unseen razor and poor man's strop - $54
Same soap and brush from deal 1 - $65