Introducing myself

[Rasoio]

Hello everyone. I was recently looking online for a straight razor. i miss getting shaved at the barber shop when I lived in Brooklyn. Unfortunately its a dieing skill. Not many true old school barbers around where i live, and what ever is around will not shave anymore.
Anyway like i mentioned I have been searching for my first straight razor for a begginer i would like to find something in the 50 dollar range and hopefully work myself into a nice collection. Money is tight now so i need to start slow.
I wish you all happy holidays.
PS: My first post was signing up for the contest give away. Maybe Santa might be nice to me...

[Rasoio]

wanted to add I found thid forum via Mastro Livi videos. That guy is amazing..

[roughkype]

Hello Rasoio,

Welcome to SRP and good luck in the drawing!

If that doesn't work out, you can get a really good economical start at whippeddog.com. He specializes in low-price but good blades. They won't be pretty but they'll shave well.

For your budget, you'll have to go with a vintage blade to start well. I can't think of any brand-new razors under $70-80 that are a good risk. The cheapest brand-new and reliable razor is probably a Dovo Best Quality, but you can spend as little as $30 at whippeddog and have one that shaves as well.

His starter strop looks like a good deal, too.

You're ahead of the game in that you've at least had a professional straight razor shave, so you know how it should feel. That's worth a lot.

Best wishes.

[Rasoio]

Thank you for your reply. I just checked out whipped dog, awesome starter info. Thank you again.
Does anyone know anything about these Kiegar razors? They look ok but i think i read they are made in china. are they knock-offs? Just wondering what to look for when i am attemping to buy a razor..
I am aware that Solingen are up there in top razors.
Is there a list in this forum that might help us guide in the right direction as far as life of a razor?
thanks..

[HNSB]

Thank you for your reply. I just checked out whipped dog, awesome starter info. Thank you again.
Does anyone know anything about these Kiegar razors? They look ok but i think i read they are made in china. are they knock-offs? Just wondering what to look for when i am attemping to buy a razor..
I am aware that Solingen are up there in top razors.
Is there a list in this forum that might help us guide in the right direction as far as life of a razor?
thanks..

Read section 5 here: Frequently Asked Questions - Straight Razor Place Wiki
The following are useful, but not comprehensive lists: Good Straight Razor Brands - Straight Razor Place Wiki
Brands of Straight Razors to avoid - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Kriegar is junk.
Until you really learn what to look for you'd be best to purchase from the classifieds here, or from a reputable vendor.

[Rasoio]

I will take a look. But i must say i love already the fact of the "Straight" honesty...

[zib]

Hi, and welcome. Check out our classified section. Lot's of good deals to be had.

[Rasoio]

Glanced.
Very cool.
FYI I was in the right direction but now i am sure.
Mille Grazie...

[Rasoio]

ok Here is another question.
I was just reading the posts of the dancing twins.. BTW I as a chef own Henckels (knives)They are my favorite metals by far.
Ok was is all the difference : 5/8-7/8-8/8 etc....

[roughkype]

ok Here is another question.
I was just reading the posts of the dancing twins.. BTW I as a chef own Henckels (knives)They are my favorite metals by far.
Ok was is all the difference : 5/8-7/8-8/8 etc....

The difference between 5/8, 7/8, etc. is the width of the razor from the edge to the spine. They come smaller than 5/8, but the smaller ones are usually special trimmers, like for mustaches. 5/8 is the commonest size, followed by 6/8. I've seen 6/8 recommended for beginners, but I've also read posts from people who had trouble shaving beneath their nose with larger blades. Depends on what kind of clearance you've got there.

I learned on a 5/8 blade, and couldn't tell you how a 6/8 would have been different.

It'd be cool if you could find a Henckels razor to start. One thing about buying a nice razor to start with is that if you decide it's not for you after all, you can resell it in our classifieds for a fair (to you) price. You couldn't do that with a Kriegar!