Hello from Nashville.

[maclean3]

Hello all, I'm just getting started with straight razors and am still in my reasearch phase before buying. Looks like I got lucky and found this Forum before making some costly mistakes. I've already learned a good bit of helpful info from reading through older posts but I've still got lots more reading to do.

I was looking at several vintage razor on ebay and decided to research them before bidding, that lead me to Tony Miller's site at thewellshavedgentleman.com which in turn lead me here. Feeling really fortunate to have stumbled on this wealth of information just as I'm getting started and it appears all the goods and services I could possibly need are right here in one place.

At the moment I'm looking at a Wostenholm and an Engels and well as maybe a DOVO (through Tony's site). I've read some favorable things about the first and last but not much on Engels - still searching. I'm sure I'll have lots of questions in time but for now I'm reading all I can here. Just wanted to say hello and introduce myself. Thanks again for the great website,
Jack

[xman]

That cleanshavedgentleman (sic.) sure has what you need and there are lots of vintage refurbs that have been goingup for sale (FS) almost weekly it seems so keep your eye out here too. The benefit of getting a razor from a member is having it arrive shave ready. Also, if it's been refurbed, it's usually better than when it came off the line decades ago. There are some excellent craftsmen here.

Don't be afraid to let us know what you are thinking and ask any questions you may have. We like to help.

X

[FiReSTaRT]

Welcome aboard. I've heard some good things about Engels' as well so you won't go wrong with either one of the three. I've dealt with Tony and been satisfied every time.

[maclean3]

Thanks for the welcome and suggestions guys. If I win the current auctions and the blades are decent I'll have some nice users at a reasonable price. If they turn out to be crap, at least I'll have something to practice honing on before I score a nice razor through one of the folks on here. Figure I'll come out okay either way. If I lose the auctions well, that's money I can put directly toward a nicely honed razor from one of "youse guys" anyway . Only quandry I have is, do I spring for a new DOVO with a professional honing or go for a vintage refurb and have some REAL old school cool?
Jack

[FiReSTaRT]

I enjoy the oldies because I save them from a life of obscurity. However I do own a new DOVO and it's in my regular shaving rotation, so you won't go wrong with either choice.

[cudahogs]

Jack,
Welcome to the addiction! You're one of the very few lucky people that live in a city with a straight razor store that you can walk into. It's called the Nashville Knife shop and they have a website as well. I don't know if they have knowledgeable people there that can answer honing questions and such, but they stock some nice items. I'm not at all familiar with the Nashville area, but I hear that store is in one of your malls.
As far as new or used, I guess I'm not sure what to recommend. Lots and lots of choices! Just be extremly careful if you use a pre-honed razor if it's honed by one of our members in here. I had only honed my own before getting an expertly honed blade from Tony Miller. Wasn't used to anything that sharp!
If you're unfamiliar with anything, just ask away, there's no shortage of opinions!!
-Fred