What is a good starter razor?

Hello, I am 16 years old and i am looking to take up shaving with a straight razor. I like the idea of the nostalgia that comes with shaving with a straight razor, and I would like to be a part of it. I was given a brush and cup by my grandparents that was reportedly their grandparents, so i think it would be a good time to get into it. What are some razors that are good for beginners, I am looking for a vintage razor(preferably not new) and have a budget of around $200 but could budge if I really like it.

Vintage Dubl Duck Wonderedge Pearl Duck Solingen Germany Straight Razor Nice | eBay this is what i am currently looking at, is it a good razor? or starter? please point me in the right direction or recommend any other types that are good for beginners.
thanks;)

collan,

That is an excellent brand of razor. However, I don't know if that is the best investment for you. You want an entry level razor; something that you can use, abuse, even break while learning to shave with a straight razor without shedding too many tears.

To my mind the best type of straight razor for you to give serious consideration to would be a Dovo "Best Quality." Its relatively inexpensive, very good quality and will cost less that 100 bucks. If you purchase it from one of the vendors who advertise here, such as Straight Razor Designs or Vintage Blades it will also be professionally honed and shave ready when you get it.

BTW...You will also need a good quality strop. Both of the vendors I just mentioned offer those for sale too.

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Originally Posted by collan1219

Hello, I am 16 years old and i am looking to take up shaving with a straight razor. I like the idea of the nostalgia that comes with shaving with a straight razor, and I would like to be a part of it. I was given a brush and cup by my grandparents that was reportedly their grandparents, so i think it would be a good time to get into it. What are some razors that are good for beginners, I am looking for a vintage razor(preferably not new) and have a budget of around $200 but could budge if I really like it.

Vintage Dubl Duck Wonderedge Pearl Duck Solingen Germany Straight Razor Nice | eBay this is what i am currently looking at, is it a good razor? or starter? please point me in the right direction or recommend any other types that are good for beginners.
thanks;)

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I'm more inclined to advise you to purchase a used straight razor from the SRP Classified listings. Here's one: Le Grelot Merle Blanc - Straight Razor Place Classifieds which I recommend, for $60, and the seller mentions that it's "shave-ready" (important!). PS: This razor is a fine, old-name brand, one you can use daily and keep for-ever. Ask grandpa -- he probably only had one... all he needed.

There are plenty of under-$100 strops (new!), which would allow you to "park" the remainder of your $200 budget, or buy yourself some good shaving soap and/or shaving cream.

The world is your oyster!

Welcome SRP. Sound advice given so far so I'll just add be sure to sign up for the "Monthly Give-away" in the Beginners' Section if you have not done so already!

My two cents is that you should buy something for less as well. My logic is that you may not be in love with your first razor. There is a bit different experience with the different grinds. Most I am guessing like the full hollows, in my mind that explains why there are so many more of them. Some re into wedges and others fall somewhere in between. If you start with something inexpensive and later wish to try a different grind you will have a little budget for that. Also you should be able to get near what you pay for your inexpensive razor bak later should you decide to part with it.

I'd recommend the Feather available in the Classifieds. It's 85 bucks, requires nothing in terms of a strop or stropping expertise and will provide you an easy and foolproof introduction to straight shaving. You can avoid all the Newbie issues of sharpness, maintenance and all the doubts that come with starting this hobby. I started with a Shavette, a less expensive and less effective variant of the Feather. I now have a Feather among all my other straights and love using it for a really close shave. A great razor and a great learning tool.

In addition to Ace's recommendation on the SS (a perfect edge is only minutes and less than $1 away) when you do try regular Straights I'd recommend either the Dove BQ from SRD as jhenry noted and/or something from the great Classifieds here at SRP.

For strops I'm a huge fan of the SRD Modular - when you mess up (and you will) you can replace the damaged surface for a fraction of the cost.
And I use the system with felt pads and diamond spray to maintain the edge.

Lots to learn, worth the effort, many of us wish we had started years (decades) ago...

All the best and great shaving!

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Originally Posted by JBHoren

I'm more inclined to advise you to purchase a used straight razor from the SRP Classified listings. Here's one: Le Grelot Merle Blanc - Straight Razor Place Classifieds which I recommend, for $60, and the seller mentions that it's "shave-ready" (important!). PS: This razor is a fine, old-name brand, one you can use daily and keep for-ever. Ask grandpa -- he probably only had one... all he needed.

There are plenty of under-$100 strops (new!), which would allow you to "park" the remainder of your $200 budget, or buy yourself some good shaving soap and/or shaving cream.

The world is your oyster!

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+1 to this advice. The razor looks great and is also a round-point, which is a lot more forgiving in terms of cutting your face while learning.

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Originally Posted by MJC

For strops I'm a huge fan of the SRD Modular - when you mess up (and you will) you can replace the damaged surface for a fraction of the cost.
And I use the system with felt pads and diamond spray to maintain the edge.

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A big +1 on the SRD Modular strop. In addition to the important reasons MJC mentioned, I'd like to add that the SRD Modular strop totally eliminates any problems with how tight/loose you pull the strop -- unlike a hanging strop, you don't put any tension on it -- which means no worries about edge curl (which causes one to nick the strop), and makes it much less possible/probable to mess-up the blade edge. The Modular strop is also significantly shorter than a hanging strop, which gives a built-in "brake" on the speed with which you strop -- that blade isn't going to "run away from you". Finally, the SRD Modular strop is compact and functional, so you don't have to worry about if/where/how to hang it during use, and it stores easily (where others, like curious brothers 'n sisters, can't get at it).

You can't miss, with this!

Smooth shaving!

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Originally Posted by MJC

For strops I'm a huge fan of the SRD Modular - when you mess up (and you will) you can replace the damaged surface for a fraction of the cost.

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+2, such a good product!

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?

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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?

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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;)

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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;)

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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