Thread: Hello from Northern Virginia

Hello from Northern Virginia! I’m new to the forum, but not new to being frustrated by the prices of disposable razor blades. The straw that broke the camel’s back was this past weekend while out shopping with the wife and finding out it was going to cost me 100 bucks for 40 disposable blades. Right now I ’m just in the shadows absorbing all of this knowledge that right in front of me in black and white that is on this site along with watching allot of YouTube videos. I’m wrestling with the idea of buying a cheap straight razor to practice the art of honing, but still on the fence. Buy cheap buy twice has always been my motto. As probably like allot of newcomers I want to jump right into things, but I’m taking my time on this voyage so that it is a long lasting enjoyable experience. My wife looked at me with Crazy eyes when I told her that I’m going to start shaving with a straight razor, but now she insists that I must buy a Dovo since it comes from her home country. Go figure... The Dovo “Bismarck” with the mother of pearl inlay is a beautiful looking, but I have yet to take the plunge into what brand or style of blade that I will buy. I’m open to advice from other members. I wanted to say thank you to those who have established this site and help run it to fuel my new hobby. Thanks Again
-W3

Welcome to the Forum, WThree!

There are many routes you can take buying a razor. If you buy new I suggest looking at Straight Razor Designs. They carry Dovo, Ralf Aust, and Boker razors. By going with SRP you get a razor that is "shave ready" from the start. If you want to buy a vintage razor may I suggest looking in the Classifieds or Vendors Corner here at SRP?
As far as type, a round point, full hollow in 5/8 or 6/8 is a popular choice for a first razor.

Welcome to the fold W3. I may suggest going to a reputable site to buy. Just because its affordable and new dosen't mean it's shave ready. Straight Razor Designs is a great spot for Dovos. You might want to also think about buying two razors, just in case one is down for maintenance. And for the record, no I do not work for them. All the best-John

Hi and welcome. Having a shave ready razor to start with will make it much easier. Yes a cheaper razor is good to learn honing but to have it as your first isn't recommended as you won't know shave ready so how can you get a razor shave ready? Many sites selling new razors say shave ready but unless it has been honed it won't be shave ready just a factory edge which will not shave well. Good luck.

Hello and welcome to the SRP!
What part of NoVa are you from? I'm a former Beltway Bandit myself, and still have family down there...

Sorry for late reply, I do like the round point 6/8 and I never thought of the idea of two razors but it makes perfect sense. In the beginning I will farm out the honing until I understand how to do it.

I'm from fair lakes near Centreville. NVA is a big change from NJ. I grew up in Nutley and Flemington.
I only planned on practicing with the cheap razor to learn the art of honing not to use it on my face. I don't want to use an expensive blade and screw it up.

Now this maybe a stupid question but are there recommended razors for novice, intermediate, advanced or am I thinking to much into this?

Is straight razor design and straight razor place the same owner? Just curious....

Originally Posted by WThree

Now this maybe a stupid question but are there recommended razors for novice, intermediate, advanced or am I thinking to much into this?

Not a stupid question. Some advice I read was that people new to straights should stay away from expensive razors like customs or New Old Stock. The thinking is that a new user is likely going to make some beginner mistakes and could damage the razor. You don't want that to happen with an expensive model.

The Dovo Best Quality and Ralf Aust are often recommended to beginners.

I run through Fairlakes quite a bit. Feel free to come out to Stephens city when you want to learn to hone.

Generally for a beginner a 5/8 or 6/8 round tip is best. Avoid ebay and use the classified, one of the vendors or the ads in site as there are reputable sources. Many new razors aren't shave ready and unless stated will need honing.

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

I run through Fairlakes quite a bit. Feel free to come out to Stephens city when you want to learn to hone.

I will take you up on that one day. I'm still researching blades at the moment.