Thread: What is a good starter razor?

I agree with recommeding a new Dovo from a dealer who guarantees that it will be sent to you "shave ready." As a first razor, you will abuse it, ding it, dull it, etc., so save your $ for later when you want to upgrade. I recommend a 6/8 as a starter. I find that the wider blades are easier to control on the face and on the strop. Don't worry about honing for months down the road. You will dull it learning to strop, so set aside some $ to send it out for sharpening again.

Excellent suggestions, all of them. And great to start off with a straight as a 16-year-old. I was 54 when I started.

Dubl Duck razors are supposed to be very nice razors, however they DO seem to be commanding very high prices at the moment. There is nothing wrong with getting a very nice razor as your first, esp if you tend to take care of your things. If you get that one, I'd recommend getting it honed by a professional for a while, and maybe getting a cheapy to practice honing on. Try and get someone to show you how to hone; it'd be horrible for you to end up causing a lot of hone wear or something.

My first razor had a spike toe and I hardly cut myself at all. You do need to be very careful with a spike, though, esp near the side of the neck.

Good luck with whatever you decide on and good on you for starting out with a straight so young...

Darn! Should not have read this thread...now I want one of them modular paddle strops! I travel frequently...are paddles better for traveling?

Originally Posted by MasterBlaster64

Darn! Should not have read this thread...now I want one of them modular paddle strops! I travel frequently...are paddles better for traveling?

They're supposed to be yeah.

Welcome! If your heart is set on Dubl Duck, consider one that is shave ready and much cheaper than the one you looked at will go for: Shave Ready "Dubl Duck" Satin Edge Straight Razor | eBay
The seller appears to know how to hone and the razor looks to be in great condition.

Love my SRD mod strop as well = not just easier to use, but gives my razors a great edge.

My advise is to be very careful and think twice before you decide to do this. You can get some pretty nasty facial cuts and worse. I'm not sure if I'd let my 16YO SR shave. Safety Safety Safety!!! I think at 16 if I had put a little milk on my face, a cat could've licked my "whiskers" off. Just my $.02

Originally Posted by GAP

Love my SRD mod strop as well = not just easier to use, but gives my razors a great edge.

My advise is to be very careful and think twice before you decide to do this. You can get some pretty nasty facial cuts and worse. I'm not sure if I'd let my 16YO SR shave. Safety Safety Safety!!! I think at 16 if I had put a little milk on my face, a cat could've licked my "whiskers" off. Just my $.02

Everyone is different though, I started growing facial hair in eighth grade or so and around grade 9 or 10 I could grow a beard :P

It's all genetics!

If you don't get a straight, get a DE

Edwin Jagger, but I'm biased... :P