Thread: Hello from South Dakota

Just another beginner here. Haven't got my bio up yet but a little about me I suppose:

25 Years Old
Eagle Scout
Army Vet
Officially a Cat person
Collector of watches and knives
And a bunch of other boring stuff

I can't exactly nail down what has me interested in trying to learn this "art" but it doesn't change the fact that I am. I remember always being somewhat curious. To the point that I borrowed a beat up straight razor from my grandfather and just had at it. Ended up tearing myself up and giving up. Some years later, and less than an hour on the internet I realize a few things. First is that it probably wasn't even as sharp as the buck knife in my pocket, and second I had no idea what I was doing. So, some years later, here I am. Ready to try again.

As I already collect a few other things, I'm wanting to get a "Good One" right off the bat. I have heard of something called Razor Acquisition Disorder, I hope I don't catch it. Seriously, If I sold my watch and knife collection off I could buy a car; but then what's one more collection? Don't really want to go cheap and then build up, (Which is probably contrary to the advice I will get, and I will listen, promise) Something that will last. In nearly everything I do, durability and longevity is what I strive for. As such, this is what I have in my sights as my first razor:

As may be obvious to some of you, it is a Dovo Desert Ironwood in Stainless. Again I'm sure I will be advised against it for my first, but the parameters I used while searching were 1. Known brand 2. Visually Pleasing (To me) 3. Something that will hopefully last me a decade or more.

I know putting a "razor" edge on my KaBar and on an actual razor are probably two very different creatures, and I'm willing to learn. All told I'm trying to keep total set up cost under 750$, but I don't lose sleep on such things, I am young and there is always time to save.

Something I feel I should note is that I called a not exactly local barbershop, IE the only one I could find that did straight shaves. My thought process is that if I intend to try this myself, I should have at least one professional one to "see how it is done". While the 12$ price certainly isn't off putting, his attitude that I shouldn't even try surprised me a bit. Little does he know that telling me I will fail is only going to bolster my resolve.

I look forward to learning from the experts and appreciate your patience with what I'm sure is my nearly total lack of knowledge.

-Shaun

Appreciate it. As they say "the more you know, the more you know you don't know." Three days of research of the subject and I have a bit of a headache. Still, I believe it will be worth it it the end.

Edit: That same research shows that Straight Razors must be in high demand, lots of places seem to be out of stock.

Yeah, I don't think they reorder some models until they are all gone from their store or site. Honestly, I would get the razor you have your heart set on now, get the latigo strop from SRD, b/c they sell precut leathers of all kinds w/ the holes punched in, and you can swap them out if you want...or, I got a leather strop, then the $50 wool felt, and choose your second linen, and made one strop w/ linen and wool with chromium oxide for refreshing the blade, the others side unpasted for stropping daily, then the other strop is latigo and nylon, then later bought the kangaroo strop and put english bridle with it, so 3 strops, 3 leathers, 1 pasted linen, 1 nylon, 1 cotten linen...stropping station. Oh by the way, your pic...I love that episode! "Bad baby, don't eat the brush... that's silver tip badger...do you have any idea how expensive that is!"

Welcome to SRP

If your ever in the Twin Cities give me a call and stop over for awhile.

I will PM you my contact details.

Hi serickson87, welcome to SRP, and thnks for your service. Not much I can add to the advise given, other than remember there is a leraning curve, and many struggle a little at first. Now the RAD stuff, I think is a powder and all razor sellers sprinkle a little on each order, a few even get a little on themselves.
Enjoy, you won't regret the change!