I was looking into this $100 Off Buffalo Horn Damascus Straight Razor and Luxury Shave Set - StraightRazors.com because it looks really nice. What are your thoughts? Can you post some suggestions for me please.
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I was looking into this $100 Off Buffalo Horn Damascus Straight Razor and Luxury Shave Set - StraightRazors.com because it looks really nice. What are your thoughts? Can you post some suggestions for me please.
No. No, not at all. Others will agree. Just No! :p
No why? Bad quality, company? Bad website? Got any suggestions where to order from?
Check out the classified ads here, whipped dog, vintage blades llc, straight razor designs to name a few. Just remember, some "shave ready" razors are not truly shave ready. I purchased a new Dovo that Lynn Abrams honed for me. Very nice edge.
Much has been said about these new "damascus" razors. Go do a search on the home page and read the results. A blade which cannot be honed accompanied by cheap accessories is no bargain! You would be better off buying a new Dovo and strop from SRD or a good shave ready vintage blade and a Dovo or Jemico strop. Anything but that! JMO
I'll also add that the VDH soap,brush and bowl can be purchased as a set at Wall-mart Bi-mart or Target for $10.00.
I think I've narrowed it down to 2.
https://www.vintagebladesllc.com/vsh...cat=223&page=1
https://www.vintagebladesllc.com/vsh...cat=223&page=1
From what I've read "Dovo" is a good one.
Those are obviously both excellent razors and I don't think you can go wrong there, but I'd grab another to have on hand along with these "fancier" ones. Currently in the classifieds here there's a 4/8 for $32. Can't go wrong with that. Then you can shave and strop with that for at least a few days and then break out the beauties. You'd cry less if you happen to say, nick it on the faucet (maybe speaking from experience?) haha.
I'm a sucker for the bling too so not trying to talk you out of those...
Right now I've got one that uses disposable blades. My wife got it in college while taking hairstyling. That's what I've been practicing with. I actually used it for a few weeks before deciding to go with one of these. I wanted to make sure I'd like it and be able to use both hands. The left side was what gave me pause. Now that I'm better at it, I think the real thing would be great. Shaving has become my meditation twice a week. Spend an hour alone shaving and forget about the world is my motto now.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/08/23/vu6ygyju.jpg this is what I've been using.
I guess my last question is Stainless or Carbon? It's actually quite difficult to find stainless.
I prefer carbon, more care has to be taken to dry well after shave but I work with a metallurgist and he convinced me that carbon will be sharper due to the "large" particles of chromium that makes up stainless. He said on a microscopic scale they chip off the edge leaving bigger chips that carbon steel. Made sense to me. Not to say stainless isn't sharp and carbon doesn't "chip" at the edge when using/sharpening, but when the chromium breaks away from the edge it leaves a bigger "chunk" out of it.
Yes, Dovo is a nice razor. I have one and like it.
When you're a novice, carbon steel is easier to hone than stainless. +1 to not getting the razor from straightrazors.com and getting an Dovo. It's like buying a car that you've never heard up before instead of one of the established makes.
Are you in the states? Canada? UK? Depending on where you are, different websites/vendors would be more appropriate (in terms of shipping charges). I also recommend a 3" strop over the 2" as it's much easier to learn on.
I'm in Canada, but I have a US shipping address.
If you're in Canada, order from here The Classic Edge Shaving Store Your Straight Razor Specialists.. Anything that they have is good, not just Dovos.
Hey Lendo, I live in Orlando Florida and I have ordered almost everything from classicedge.ca or made it myself. I actually found classic edge to be cheaper and be in stock. Plus when they say shave ready they freaking mean it. But so does straight razor designs and vintage blades llc because Lynn (the founder of this site and pretty much the authority in honing atleast in my book hones all the razors that come from those sites). Both the Dovos your thinking about are razors that I will be buying next. +1 to the buying a razor from the classifieds here. If you buy a cheapo back up that is of good quality you can practice stropping and when it comes time to hone practice with the cheaper razor so that you don't ruin a $300 dollar razor with poor technique. Also for a strop you can make your own if you have a leather shop near you. Heres a link to the one I made and it is an awesome strop as far as results go even though it doesn't look pretty yet it will soon.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...dventures.html
It ends up being even for me, shipping from SRD is $30 to Ontario, Canada whereas shipping from Classic Edge is about $5. For my day to day orders (meaning smaller orders for a couple new soaps or creams), I use fendrihan. They are in Ontario as well, free shipping over $50. Fast shipping too
Everything I order in the US is usually free shipping. I live in a border town and cross quite often. I've got a US address for shipping purposes, so in the end it only cost 6$ for bridge tolls and 4$ for storage until I pick it up.
I'll back that up - I've ordered all my stuff, except for occasional e-bay and yard sale, from Classic Edge and they are a fantastic shop. Phil and Jane are super people, Phil hones and makes razors shave ready, is truly a master.
I've got nothing but great things to say about Classic Edge!!
They also have several excellent starter kits - I got my first kit from there, a 5/8 DOVO and necessary kit to accompany!
I gotta say I'm not real impressed with the customer support from The Classic Edge. Placed an order last week. No update from them at all. Sent 2 emails with no response. Not a real good first impression so far.
from other posts (you can search for Classic Edge) you'll learn they are a very small operation, so they devote their time to fulfilling orders and doing the work that supports that versus writing emails. I suggest relaxing by reading other informative posts while you wait for you gear. It will train you to go slowly when you start handling the new SR on your one & only face.
All the more reason for an online only company to respond.
Hey Lendo - I just talked with them, they've had a few issues of late, I know, it's still frustrating. But they are a very small operation and their service is amazing, they won't let any razor go out of there without it being worked over by Phil. I've had some stuff in for awhile, and for me, it comes down to quality, so be patient.
Trust me, it's worth the wait!
Thanks for the info.
No worries...you'll be pleased when you get your stuff! I'm waiting for the final lot of razors I've acquired from E-Bay and a yard sale to come back from Phil. That will be my final rotation of ten razors! Next step for me is to learn the honing part in order to maintain them.
If I can be of any help in the future, let me know!
Cheers!
Lendo,
My name is Phil and I am the owner of the Classic Edge. Jane and I have made an incredible effort this last 6 months insuring that no emails are missed and that no phone calls are left un-answered. As a very small business we had to hire office staff to help with this. I hate nothing more than a company that does not answer the phone or emails. Now we have gone through the emails and cannot seem to find it so it is possible it is in SPAM? Could you give us your email address and I will follow up ASAP. I don't know from your SRP name which client you are, so if you could just send an email to theclassicedge@gmail.com or you are welcome to call our phone which is the safest bet in case your email address is not getting through, 416-574-1592 if for any reason there is no answer leave a message and we will get back to you ASAP. I am so sorry for this mix up, I know how upsetting it can be when you cannot get an email response from a company, and that is no way for a Classic Edge client to be treated so I will make this up to you 10 fold! Please accept our apologies and Jane and I will deal with this issue right away.
Phil
The Classic Edge
As some of us said -- Phil speaks for himself and his business as a 1st rate guy, and 1st class business. Hope Leno will fill us in on his final assessment when all is said and done.
I must've been emailing the wrong addy. The one I have is classicedge.customerservice@gmail.com, but that must be incorrect. I've emailed you at the addy provided. My mistake and I apologize if I've offended you.
Ok, so you can consider my previous post "The Douchebag Moment of the Month". I now feel like a complete idiot since being contacted by Phil and Jane. Let's just hit the rewind button and go back a bit. Perhaps it's the instant shipping from online distributors like Amazon that's made me this way. I truly apologize to Phil and Jane, they couldn't have been nicer today once we figured out what had happened. Now I'm going to go back to reading "How not to be a Douchebag, for dummies" while I patiently wait for my new razor. Again, consider my previous post the rambling of an uninformed fool. *Rant Over*
Bravo sir. Your'e a better man than most. There are so many people in this world that would claim to their day of passing that they were right, always right and no matter the reason it wasn't their fault or problem. Again, Bravo.:):chapeau
Don't stress lendo, if you are worried, you can always edit the post and put an extra paragraph at the bottom, in case anyone only reads up to that post. Good on ya for admitting your mistake, and glad its sorted.
I can't bring myself to go back and edit post even when they make me look stupid. I'm a moderator on one of the Largest Blackberry Related Help Forums and it kills me to see people do that when they know they were wrong. I'd just as soon admit my mistake and take my lumps for it. Then we move on and learn from my mistake. Otherwise, nobody gets to take the lesson of think before you click that Post Quick Reply button LOL. I just hope the damage is limited to my pride and doesn't affect classicedge.ca in any way.
I was kinda thinking that as I read your post again. It would've made sense to add something to that post. Thanks, now I gotta do that.