Thread: Hello everyone, I am a newbie willing to do the right thing!

Hello everyone!
I am a newbie into straight razor shaving and been collecting a lot of information on the internet before getting started. As you can imagine there’s a lot of good information out there but opinions are like butts, we all have one, so I found SRP and I’m very glad I did.
I haven’t got any supplies yet although I’ve been tempted to buy some staff online to give it a try. For what I have learned so far I think best razors are made in Germany and France? I heard about Dovo and Thiers-Issard as one of the best brands out there? There’s also different sizes like 5/8 and 6/8, the smaller one being the more maneuverable?

Please help me make a good and educated decision on how to start. I really want to fall in love with this idea and don’t want to ruin it for not having the right tools.
What do I need to keep it sharp and what brand/model should I get and where?

Thank you in advance.

Welcome to the forum! You Will find a great deal of help, expert advice, and probably even make a few friends. I know I have! Now regarding your questions, I'm rather new at this myself but I do have one very helpful bit off advice for you. Whatever you do, DO NOT buy a Damascus straight razor shaving kit from vintage straight razors.com! Clearly I was not as smart as you for asking questions before buying. What I received was a razor shaped object, awful strop, terrible brush, crap soap, terrible all around. (Palm to face! ) oh but you've made the right first step, this is where my help ends and the experts well help you make a good choice. Good luck to you, I'm of the hopeless variety. Powerless over razors!one more thing, I don't know if everyone is hooked the first time but I was, don't give up until the magic happens! (Then you'll be infected like me he he he)

Originally Posted by Chelomiami

Hello everyone!
I am a newbie into straight razor shaving and been collecting a lot of information on the internet before getting started. As you can imagine there’s a lot of good information out there but opinions are like butts, we all have one, so I found SRP and I’m very glad I did.
I haven’t got any supplies yet although I’ve been tempted to buy some staff online to give it a try. For what I have learned so far I think best razors are made in Germany and France? I heard about Dovo and Thiers-Issard as one of the best brands out there? There’s also different sizes like 5/8 and 6/8, the smaller one being the more maneuverable?

Please help me make a good and educated decision on how to start. I really want to fall in love with this idea and don’t want to ruin it for not having the right tools.
What do I need to keep it sharp and what brand/model should I get and where?

Thank you in advance.

Hello and welcome to the group. First, make sure you take advantage of the resources on the main page that will help you get started. But to answer some of your questions, yes Germany and France make some very good razors. In current production you'll want to focus on Dovo, Revisor, Boker, Thiers Issard, Ralf Aust, or Wacker. But you might not want to limit your options to new razors as there is an entire world of vintage razors that are every bit as good or better than currently produced razors. To further answer your questions, many countries of origin produced great vintage razors - American, Japanese, French, German, Spanish, British to name a few. Your budget will need to dictate what you choose. My personal preference is for 6/8 or 7/8 razor. I would suggest the 6/8. Its nicely middle ground if you find you prefer larger or smaller blades and you will find them a little easier to strop as they have more surface area to keep flat on the strop. I'm sure you're already aware that you'll be in need of at least one razor. It'll need to be shave ready. You'll need a strop, a brush, and some good soap/cream. There's a lot of choices but the most important is a shave ready razor. Don't assume that a new razor is in shave ready condition. Its rare. Some guys insist on a new razor and others are open to a vintage. If you go the new route, my personal preference is for Revisor. Obtaining one requires a little more effort in that you will need to email them via their website and inquire about the razor in question. They then send you an email with an invoice to be paid via paypal. About a week later a beautiful new razor arrives at your door. But you will likely need then to send it out to be honed. If all of that sounds too much, your best bet is to buy one that's already said to be in shave ready condition. SRD is a good place to browse as its one stop shopping for all of your needs. But if you choose the vintage route, buy from a reputable seller. Our classified area here is very good and there's always something new being put up for sale. Stay away from eBay until you understand what you're buying. And reading is good. So do a lot of reading.

Thank you guys so far for your input, I really appreciate it.
I have been reading here on the forum and found very good information.

As most people recommended it I was looking at straight razors designs website but I found that most of their razors are out of stock. Do these usually get back in stock?

Also, I see a number on the blade that varies depending on the razor, for example #42, etc. What does this refer to?

Thank you.

Stocks of razors are extremely depleted these days as there are many new enthusiasts that are jumping into market for them. As for how frequently SRD replenishes their stock, I am not able to answer that. You could give them a call or send them a message. The number you're asking about is simply a model number. For your purposes, look for the characteristics you want in a razor and don't worry much about the model number.

Thank you again for your responses!
I've seen razors half hollow and full hollow? What is the difference?

Originally Posted by OCDshaver

Hello and welcome to the group. First, make sure you take advantage of the resources on the main page that will help you get started. But to answer some of your questions, yes Germany and France make some very good razors. In current production you'll want to focus on Dovo, Revisor, Boker, Thiers Issard, Ralf Aust, or Wacker. But you might not want to limit your options to new razors as there is an entire world of vintage razors that are every bit as good or better than currently produced razors. To further answer your questions, many countries of origin produced great vintage razors - American, Japanese, French, German, Spanish, British to name a few. Your budget will need to dictate what you choose. My personal preference is for 6/8 or 7/8 razor. I would suggest the 6/8. Its nicely middle ground if you find you prefer larger or smaller blades and you will find them a little easier to strop as they have more surface area to keep flat on the strop. I'm sure you're already aware that you'll be in need of at least one razor. It'll need to be shave ready. You'll need a strop, a brush, and some good soap/cream. There's a lot of choices but the most important is a shave ready razor. Don't assume that a new razor is in shave ready condition. Its rare. Some guys insist on a new razor and others are open to a vintage. If you go the new route, my personal preference is for Revisor. Obtaining one requires a little more effort in that you will need to email them via their website and inquire about the razor in question. They then send you an email with an invoice to be paid via paypal. About a week later a beautiful new razor arrives at your door. But you will likely need then to send it out to be honed. If all of that sounds too much, your best bet is to buy one that's already said to be in shave ready condition. SRD is a good place to browse as its one stop shopping for all of your needs. But if you choose the vintage route, buy from a reputable seller. Our classified area here is very good and there's always something new being put up for sale. Stay away from eBay until you understand what you're buying. And reading is good. So do a lot of reading.

Hi OCDshaver, thank you for your input. I was checking out Revisor's website and wow! Those are nice fine looking pieces...
I will definatelly like to own one of those. In your opinion, should I get a more basic razor to start with, like a DOVO Best Quality from SRD that comes shave ready or should I go ahead an get something like a Visor 6-0005?
What visor model do you own?

Welcome to SRP! You can find all of your wetshaving gear over at SRD. Get yourself a basic 6/8 razor, a strop, some shave soap or shaving cream and you're good to go. Research this site before beginning and you will do fine. Take it easy and enjoy!

I started with SRD. Starting there is a wise choice. Great place. That said I did also just receive my Revisor from Germany. I have shaved twice comfortably off the factory edge. You would have to pick up all the other necessities individually if you go with Revisor and you do save a little by purchasing the kits from SRD.

Originally Posted by Chelomiami

Hi OCDshaver, thank you for your input. I was checking out Revisor's website and wow! Those are nice fine looking pieces...
I will definatelly like to own one of those. In your opinion, should I get a more basic razor to start with, like a DOVO Best Quality from SRD that comes shave ready or should I go ahead an get something like a Visor 6-0005?
What visor model do you own?

I don't know what the model numbers are on my two. Here they are http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...ml#post1295286. As for what one to start with, I don't think you're better served by going with a Dovo BQ. You may save a few dollars and you'll get it honed so there's definite value in that. But its not going to make the learning curve any shorter simply because you chose the Dovo over a Revisor. If you're not jumping out of your skin to get something today and have the patience to send out a new Revisor, its a great option. But whatever you decide, honing is absolutely a must. Some say that they were able to shave with their new razor right from the factory. Maybe. Mine weren't in shaving shape to my standards. But I was able to hone them myself so that was of no concern. But being new, you might not be able to distinguish the difference between what seems like a sharp blade vs. a shave ready one. And if things go south during your first shave (they probably will) you won't know if its you or the razor or both. Personally speaking, I have a Dovo BQ. Nothing wrong with it but its not the most exciting razor in the world. Its a great start up razor because its not too expensive. But you will probably find other razors a lot more interesting once you're up and running. OTOH, if you decide not to pursue this much further, your investment was kept to a minimum. And SRD is a very fine vendor and can give you one stop shopping. All that said, I highly recommend Revisor but it be sure to have it honed. If you go that route and need a name of someone to send it to, PM me and I'll let you know who I trusted with my razors before I honed them myself. One last thing, keep in mind that the prices on the Revisor website are in Euros and include a VAT tax that will be deducted from your price since you are not residing in Germany. The VAT tax is not insignificant. It'll save you a nice little chunk of change. So its your call. neither will be a mistake.