My first Razor

[elo]

Hello, ya'll,

It is time for me to buy my first razor, the problem is, there are too many choices ! can you help me find a good beginners Razor ? also there are so many online companies, is there any in particular that anyone can recommend ?

Thanks

[jpcwon]

Well I too just started shaving with a straight razor and was also overwhelmed with all the choices!

It really comes down to how much money you want to spend. I personally was looking for a good quality "entry-level" razor, and ended up going with a DOVO "Best Quality" 5/8" Hollow Ground. They can be had for around $70-80 and of you get it from the right vendor, they will even hone it for you! I made the mistake of getting mine through Amazon so it didn't come honed, but it's a really good quality razor that will last you a lifetime if you take care of it!

The thing you want to stay away from are the cheap Chinese-made razors, such as "Gold Dollar". These razors, while cheap enough, are not high-quality and won't gove you a good shave. I bought one, but it's only to practice honing with. I would go with a DOVO Best Quality if I were you....I'm glad I did! It has a Solingen blade on it which is German, and is known for producing high-quality razors made with good steel.

I'm sure you'll get some other (better) ideas from this site; I am admittedly still a newb myself!!!

[Hirlau]

Welcome Elo,
Use the library section above and spend a few hours reading the forum threads in the beginner section. Also, you can use the "Advance" search button, top right, then enter key words of interest. This will give you specific threads of interest.

Enjoy the journey.

[jpcwon]

That's a cool set, harrisor! I wish I did some more research before ordering my DOVO, because I would've loved to have it come as a set (and preferably honed beforehand). Plus, I undoubtedly shelled out more $$ as I puchased a strop and shave kit separately. And that's not counting the money I've spent on honing stuff!!

Oh well; live and learn!

[Eekspa]

Well I too just started shaving with a straight razor and was also overwhelmed with all the choices!

It really comes down to how much money you want to spend. I personally was looking for a good quality "entry-level" razor, and ended up going with a DOVO "Best Quality" 5/8" Hollow Ground. They can be had for around $70-80 and of you get it from the right vendor, they will even hone it for you! I made the mistake of getting mine through Amazon so it didn't come honed, but it's a really good quality razor that will last you a lifetime if you take care of it!

The thing you want to stay away from are the cheap Chinese-made razors, such as "Gold Dollar". These razors, while cheap enough, are not high-quality and won't gove you a good shave. I bought one, but it's only to practice honing with. I would go with a DOVO Best Quality if I were you....I'm glad I did! It has a Solingen blade on it which is German, and is known for producing high-quality razors made with good steel.

I'm sure you'll get some other (better) ideas from this site; I am admittedly still a newb myself!!!

Good info from jpcwon. It's hard to go wrong with the Dovo you are looking at, but do make sure you buy it from a vendor who will hone it for you. What ever you decide upon, look at the buy/don't buy list in the pull down to make sure you aren't going to waste some hard earned cash on a junker.

Many of the vendors on this site sell "economy" razors that aren't listed, so don't be afraid to contact them via PM and ask.

If you are like I was, you can't wait to get your hands on a razor and get started . . . keep the enthusiasm, you won't regret it.

[oldsCool]

You can't go wrong with SRD--simply outstanding in all regards. If cash is a concern, there have been many good reports about whippeddog.com and he has beginner sets with used razors available. The vendors here can help you out too.

I would suggest that in any case that you get Lynn's World of Straight Razor Shaving DVD. It and the wiki/library here will make your journey much more enjoyable and easier.

[elo]

Thank ya'll for your quick responses !! it seems that everyone agreed on the DOVO.. I will let you know as soon as I get it !

[matloffm]

I am an experienced DE shaver with about 50 straight shaves to my credit, so I am still quite a newbie. I started with an old Original Bartmann I had from my first disastrous attempt at straight shaving about 30 years ago. It was a beginners razor. When I tried straights again, I had the razor professionally honed. I struggled with that razor for several weeks before giving up and buying a mid-priced Dovo ($150). The difference is dramatic. The Dovo cuts my beard easily (except on my chin, but that's probably a technique problem). I would stay away from inexpensive razors. I never used a Dovo best quality, but I have read reviews of people who have upgraded from them to mid-priced Dovo's who say the cutting ability of the more expensive razor is significantly better.

If your beard is light, easy to cut, start with the less expensive Dovo, but if you have a difficult, dense beard like mine, get a razor of at least mid-range quality. It's only one razor and you will know that any cutting problems are due to prep and technique which you can correct with practice. If you can afford quality, start with quality. That's my opinion, for what it's worth.

Good luck. It's worth the effort to learn straights. They are my favorite way to shave.

Edit: I got my Dovo at SRD and the experience was first rate, I highly recommend them.