Thread: A few beginner questions

Hi,

I am new to SRP and to straight razing in general. I am looking to purchase my first razor and after doing a good amount of reading I think I know what I want. Since this is my first razor I am probably going to go with a round point 5/8" hollow ground blade. I am still deciding though on what specific model to get. Basically, my only qualifications for the blade are the aforementioned specifications and a wooden scale. Do you guys have any suggestions for razors that meet this criteria?


I really like the look of the Dovo Diamant (pictured below). This is probably my first choice.

Another razor that I also liked the look of was the Dovo Inox with a wood scale.

I definitely would appreciate any other suggestions for razors or feedback on these razors that I have found or on razors with wood scales in general (as they don't seem to be as popular).

My second question, after selecting a razor, is where to purchase it? I have been looking around (Google searches) at places that sell razors. I was just wondering which stores are most trusted/approved of by this community. Straight Razor Designs seems to be a good place, especially as one of the owners helped create this forum. Are there any other suggested places?

And my final question has to do with inventory stock. I have noticed (at least for the Diamant) that most stores don't currently have it in stock. I have been waiting for about 2 1/2 months and am not sure if I can wait much longer. I think it has something to do with Dovo being behind in their shipments or something. Has anyone else experienced this kind of issue before? How long did you have to wait? Is it worth waiting?


(Sorry for the long post)

Originally Posted by mschenoweth

Hi,

I am new to SRP and to straight razing in general. I am looking to purchase my first razor and after doing a good amount of reading I think I know what I want. Since this is my first razor I am probably going to go with a round point 5/8" hollow ground blade. I am still deciding though on what specific model to get. Basically, my only qualifications for the blade are the aforementioned specifications and a wooden scale. Do you guys have any suggestions for razors that meet this criteria?


I really like the look of the Dovo Diamant (pictured below). This is probably my first choice.

Another razor that I also liked the look of was the Dovo Inox with a wood scale.

I definitely would appreciate any other suggestions for razors or feedback on these razors that I have found or on razors with wood scales in general (as they don't seem to be as popular).

My second question, after selecting a razor, is where to purchase it? I have been looking around (Google searches) at places that sell razors. I was just wondering which stores are most trusted/approved of by this community. Straight Razor Designs seems to be a good place, especially as one of the owners helped create this forum. Are there any other suggested places?

And my final question has to do with inventory stock. I have noticed (at least for the Diamant) that most stores don't currently have it in stock. I have been waiting for about 2 1/2 months and am not sure if I can wait much longer. I think it has something to do with Dovo being behind in their shipments or something. Has anyone else experienced this kind of issue before? How long did you have to wait? Is it worth waiting?


(Sorry for the long post)

Hi and welcome to SRP!
Picking your first razor is really a matter of your own taste. You cannot go wrong with a dovo, however another brand that is a wonderful shaver would be ralf aust razors- they're just as pretty.
As far as them being out of stock you can check two places, both with excellent reputations and superior customer service. Those would be straight razor designs and vintage blades LLC. I would check either of those two places out as they both have many razors in stock and their razors definitely come shave ready- honed by the man himself Lynn Abrams!
Welcome again and good luck!
Tony

I just checked for you and unfortunately straight razor designs and vintage blades LLC are both out of most of their wooden handled dovos. I am not sure how much you are looking to spend its not really my business but there are a few expensive ones that both of those sites have with wooden handles. If you are not too set on dovo razors you could also look at Bokers, AND Thiers Issard, both excellent razors. If you expand your horizons a little further and go for a 6/8 razor you may find something a little bit easier. Also consider looking at the classified section on this website, you can find some real beautiful vintage razors on SRP for very reasonable prices. Sorry I can't help you any further.

mschenoweth:
I wanted to suggest Ralf Aust razors in wood scales, but I notice SRD is out of stock. The Dovo "Black Star" is a handsome razor in Pakkawood scales, and SRD has it. You might try Fendrihan, an excellent site in Canada. The store has a variety of Thiers-Issard razors in wood scales. Also, Vintage Blades has some Thiers-Issard in wood scales on clearance.

Originally Posted by anthogia

I just checked for you and unfortunately straight razor designs and vintage blades LLC are both out of most of their wooden handled dovos. I am not sure how much you are looking to spend its not really my business but there are a few expensive ones that both of those sites have with wooden handles. If you are not too set on dovo razors you could also look at Bokers, AND Thiers Issard, both excellent razors. If you expand your horizons a little further and go for a 6/8 razor you may find something a little bit easier. Also consider looking at the classified section on this website, you can find some real beautiful vintage razors on SRP for very reasonable prices. Sorry I can't help you any further.

Thank you for your time and your responses. Yeah, I've kind of hit a roadblock as far as availability goes. I'm not particularly picky about the brand, as long as it is reliable and has a great looking blade. Thus, I've been looking for other vendors that have some of these razors in stock. Have you or anyone else heard of Classic Edge Shaving? I was looking through their website and stuff; it seems to be pretty professional. Has anyone had any experience with them?


Oh and I don't mind divulging this: I am looking to spend about $150-200, preferably. Although if I absolutely fall in love with a razor I would consider spending a little bit over that.

I bought my razor from classic edge and everything was great. It got to me in the mail within a week. They honed it to a truly shave ready state and you get a 2nd hone when you need it later.

Originally Posted by bouschie

Hi
I just purchased a Ralf Aust 5/8" black handle from "Straight Razor Designs". It was $99.99 and came in about three days. They hand hone the razor before shippins so it just needs a good Stroping and you are ready to go. They also give you a coupon for your next sharpening free. Also if you use strop paste from "The Art of Shaving" about $10.00 the edge will last longer and you will not need to sharpen as often. See my review of the razor on "Straight Razor Designs" website.

SRD was where I originally wanted to purchase my razor; unfortunately, they didn't have the styles I wanted in stock. I will have to look into the strop paste though, as I haven't read too much about using it.

Originally Posted by cosperryan

I bought my razor from classic edge and everything was great. It got to me in the mail within a week. They honed it to a truly shave ready state and you get a 2nd hone when you need it later.

Yeah, they were where I purchased my razor from. I am still waiting on my gear to come in, but I will probably post some reviews after I get it.

It would be good to research strop pastes before you choose one. I'd recommend CrOx for its gentling effect.

I have heard of classic shaving and I've used them quite a few times if its the same site they're pretty good as well.

Originally Posted by anthogia

I have heard of classic shaving and I've used them quite a few times if its the same site they're pretty good as well.

I think it is a different site.
Here is the link.