Hello all, just wondering if anyone has purchased a sight unseen razor from whipped dog. Would it be a good first razor, and would I benefit from getting the poor mans strop set?
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Hello all, just wondering if anyone has purchased a sight unseen razor from whipped dog. Would it be a good first razor, and would I benefit from getting the poor mans strop set?
I havent personally but i know of some guys who have. Larry (at least i think hes called Larry) who owns Whipped Dog seems a nice guy who wont let you down.
Im actually thinking about getting a sight unseen razor too very shortly too.
Two things you should know about the sight unseen deal:
1) the razor should arrive shave-ready (which is *extremely* important)
2) the razor will most likely not be pretty.
So if you want a razor that is nice, new, and shiny, this isn't the deal for you. But if you want something utilitarian that will introduce you to shaving with a straight, it's worth considering. The sight unseen deal polarizes opinion here on SRP. Some guys are dead-set against it because some of them are pretty worn out. But I think that if you go into it well informed and know what to expect, then it can be a good deal. I haven't bought a sight-unseen from Larry and so don't have first-hand experience. However I have bought a sight-half-seen one from him (similar idea, more thorough description) and it was fine. I have also bought a number of other items from whippedgod (brushes, brush knots) and have always had excellent service.
So if a fugly razor doesn't bother you, go for it. If you want shiny and new, look elsewhere.
Good luck
Let me second that.
I bought one when I started and fugly barely does it justice. Ample devil spit, severe hone wear, scratched up scales where someone ground off pin heads, the scales obviously belong on a very different razor, and a great edge that showed me exactly what I needed to know to get into shaving and eventually honing.
It's a fair deal, but if you want a razor you will be proud to post photos of...I wouldn't want to suggest this avenue.
It's a good place to start, and you can "upgrade" to the rich mans strop and the "sight half seen" (I think thats it) and the selection is a little nicer. I was very happy with the razors I got from them.
But like unit & Cangooner says, they are not going to be in any shaving glamor shots, they are shave ready if you can keep them that way.
The SRP classifieds is a great source of entry level, shave ready razors - just keep checking the site.
For entry level strops you might check out Glen/ggsixgun/www.gemstarcustoms.com bench strop. When I started I ended up clamping my stop to the counter to keep it flat - it was one less thing to worry about and I've since used some kind of bench or paddle strop. Glen has basic bench strop setup that might fill the bill for you.
Good luck and Smooth Shaving, let us know how it goes...
I bought a sight-half-seen razor with a written description but no photo for $41. It has become one of my favorite shavers. It is a 5/8 Solingen round point half hollow blade with green transparent scales with bottom jimping. The blade had minor hone wear, had a few small discolorations but it came shave ready, shaved smooth the first time and still does. The blade is easy to strop and seems to hold a good edge. It gives as good a shave as several of my new Dovo's.
I only have this one Whipped Dog razor but I'd say that it's worth the risk if you realize the blade will have a good edge but won't be new and shiny. There are other sources of good restored vintage razors at reasonable prices.
I've been straight shaving now for a little over a year and like it. I never thought I'd ever do it but once you start, it gets easier and more enjoyable with endless variety. Vintage razors have a nostalgia value that new razors don't have. Money spent on a first learning razor isn't wasted but is an investment into a new rewarding adventure.
I bought one when I started out. The condition was not that bad. Finish wasn't a mirror but minimal patina. Great edge, I still use it.
As above,help support your site members first and foremost.Watch the classifieds,look in the archives for blades that have recently sold with perfect No B.s discriptions and extra honings.
Its just how you put 'first and foremost'... kind of gives the impression to a newby that its whats expected of them (well does to me anyway).
However i do agree that the classifieds are a good place to look also.
And just a little FYI, Larry is also a member here. I don't know how active on the site he is, but a member none the less.
I would definitely take a chance with your money on one of Larry's just from what I have read in this forum. That said I would also agree with Pixel that the classifieds here are another great place to shop. It all boils down to what you want now and in the long run. I was about to click on a deal at Larry's but I just can't buy something without knowing exactly what I am getting.(or at least thinking it) No matter how good the deal. That's just me. I had some money to throw around when I started and it cost me to learn. No big deal and I learned.
I guess I just do not want to spend 100 plus dollars on something that I will not end up liking
That is the perfect reason to go inexpensive with Whipped dog or classifieds. I thought the same thing, now I have RAD amongst other acquisition disorders involving shaving. I believe there are other sites that sell cleaned up vintage shave ready razors as well. The hours and hours spent online looking for info and such I am sure I have seen them. Just don't remember exactly where.
There are many, many places to buy vintage razors online. The thing is to make sure that the one you're buying is shave-ready. Buying from the classified here or from someone known to and well regarded by the membership here are good ways to go. That way you know the thing will be ready to use when it arrives. If you find a razor at another, less well known site, be sure to communicate with the seller to make sure it has been honed properly.
I don't think anyone has mentioned Glen's (gssixgun here on SRP) site yet: For Sale - Gem Star Customs. Scroll down for his selection of DFS (Damn Fine Shaver) razors.
To the OP: where are you located?
Yes, Glen's site is one that I have seen with vintage for sale. Definitely shave ready.
I appreciate what Larry does for the hobby, but the unseens are HORRID looking.
It is kind of like buying a tobacco pipe. I want to see, preferably feel it in my hand. What it looks like is as important to me as what it does. YMMV. I have sold razors in the classifieds and on the bay. I've never said I'm letting this one go cheap because I don't want to invest the time to show it and to describe it accurately.
Caveat emptor (buyer beware) and "don't buy a pig in a poke" are two things that come to my mind. Not that I am singling out this particular seller. What I am saying goes for anyone selling a razor 'sight unseen.' Sometimes saving a buck is not economical at all IMHO.
I think it's all already been said in this thread,but I feel the need to chime in none the less...
IMO when getting started its somewhat important to have a nice, clean, restored razor or new razor to appreciate. It's a part of the connection.
If you are just starting out, and you have a fugly razor, which you spent a couple bucks on, and you are getting subpar results because your still learning you are more likely to move on and give up than if you own a nice razor that gives you a send of ownership and pride in craftsmanship.
It's hard to appreciate a straight razor for all it's worth when it has puts, ugly scales and a honed out spine....
Think of it as a women... Sure she may do a good job at it, but if she's butt ugly it just doesn't seem as good... If you get down with a 'sexy lady' who also does job just as good, you'd prob be a little more inclined to deal with her crap along the way....
Ymmv, some folks like yesterday's news!
I think WD actually serves a needed service for newbs that want to explore the sport.
Have heard that his razors are shave ready,maybe not pretty but the edge is all that really counts.
You see so many newbs Join SRP,buy a ton of high end stuff,inc shave ready razors.Than they drop out,never to be heard from again.
One can only assume they discoverd the sport is not for them.
My thoughts are that if you buy something at least half good, you can probably sell it if you dont like it. Even if you have to get a rehone first, you will still recoup some of your money. If what you buy is junk, then it will be a lot harder to move it on.
Saying that I bought a couple of cheap razors to get going and am happy enough with them, but would probably struggle to get that much back on them if I tried to sell them.
Regards ed
+1 on what Ed said
Razors have good value, and when talking about a vintage razor which has been restored there is very little room for major loss if you paid the right price. Of course if your in a bidding war on the bay for a mint DD, Filly or W&B you may be hanging on to it for a long time- but if IMO if you spend $100 on a restored Sheffield wedge with pretty scales you'll prob be able to recoop more if you sell out of the sport when comparing to buying a $140 dovo that will sell used for a loss.
If its ugly worn and common it's only worth the shave it gives......
Which is no good if you think you may want to sell out if the razor eventually.
As long as the razor is usable and gets the job done. The one I got from whipped dog is not as pretty as the razors in the featured shave of the day photos, but it is fully functional. Eventually I will probably pass it on to a friend or relative that is interested in starting the journey. As to the statement that its hard to appreciate an "ugly" razor, I have to disagree. I appreciate my whipped dog because 1-I purchased it, and I appreciate everything that I paid money for since that money represents time out of my life to earn and 2-the edge is amazing, how could you not appreciate a finely honed edge against your face?? Maybe if I get bored I will make some fancy scales for it and see if it has a chance to be selected as shave of the day, or just keep using it in my rotation and getting a great shave with it.
If anyone is trying to decide whether a str8 is his/her cup of tea, the inexpensive option is there. There is time once they decide they like it to go after the fancier/nicer razors, or get some beat up vintage ones and restore them. That is the beauty of this hobby. There are so many variables that are bound to appeal to some part of someone that is interested.
As stated above WD does serve a purpose in the community, especially for beginners. I think the important thing to know before you buy a straight razor in general is why you want to buy a straight in the first place- the rest will fall in to place.
If you are looking for something that shaves, and thats all you expect then the reward out ways the risk of the 'unseen deal'. You will get a great shave with one of WDs razors- from what I hear that's their promise.
When I was just starting out 'looks' weren't that important, and I thought I would only need to own one razor for ever.
Knowing what I know now I would opt for either new or half seen deal or new.
I wasn't suggesting really top end stuff, but you have to weigh up whether you would loose more than the $40 or so the sight unseens cost, if you were to resell a razor that you paid $100ish for.
I think a sight unseen would probably need to be given away if you didn't like it.
As I said I bought 2 $50ish razors from members of this site after the initial eBay disaster razor that I bought.
Not that there is anything wrong with my razors, I am very happy with them, I don't think I would recoup my investment on them, considering that to sell them I would really need to get them professionally honed to sell on as starter razors, or sell them for $10 or so on ebay.
One thing I dont get about it all is $28 or $41 is for a honed razor. The guy has to hone it. What's the guys time worth and he has to pack it and deal with complaints and returns etc. What can we expect for this amount of money? Free oil changes and tire rotation? I think its a bargain and I will say I bought one early on and it shaved great. Its ugly as sin but so what.
My first razor was from Whipped Dog. It's a Lakeside Cutlery "Mandarin" that was in great shape. A tad under 5/8 with light patina. After an intense bout of RAD, I forgot about it for a while.
Once I realized my fondness for vintage American steel, I revisited my Whipped Dog, and now it's one of my go-to shavers! And you can't beat the poor man's strop. I'm very happy I learned on it before upgrading.
Bottom line, I don't think you can go wrong dealing with Larry. He's a good guy.
I've honed a couple of WD's & rejected a couple that couldn't be rehoned for a fair price. Maybe I've seen some worse case scenarios but at $28 a razor you may still be in the world of disposables unless you learn to hone for yourself.
Just bear in mind there can be hidden costs in anything 2nd hand.
Just a couple of things to add....
1) I have sold some razors TO whipped dog when I was in need of some quick cash and didn't have time to restore or hone. While none were pristine, for the most part they were all capable of being turned into good shavers.
2) they come shave ready. As pointed out, Larry has to hone them. Most of the guys offering honing services in the classifieds are charging 15 or 20 dollars. That means Larry is selling the dogs for a whopping 8 bucks. I would buy used razors all day long for 8 bucks.
3) Some of the best shaves I have EVER had, came at the edge of razors that were (very) well worn, and showed the effects of 100 years of use. I think a person is MORE likely to drop straight shaving if they get lousy results from a shiny new "factory shave ready" Dovo, then they are from not wanting to look at their "ugly wife" An O-Lan will never betray you or let you down!
But the true question is..does he hone all those razors himself? ;) And when you think about it, for $8 as Oz pointed out, at times you're just buying a disposable that can't be honed again. In the beginning aren't we all getting into this hobby to save money on shaving and not give into the throw aways?
I've bought several things from Larry and been very pleased with every purchase (in fact, I just ordered one of his silvertip brushes and am anxiously awaiting its arrival :D). I have one of his sight-unseen razors, and while it isn't my prettiest shaver, it is still one of my best. I highly recommend this as a way to get into str8 shaving; why not start with one of these to see if you like it? Then, you can upgrade once you know what you're doing.
I also highly recommend his poor man's strop kit; the strop is narrow (meaning that you will need to use an X pattern), but it works and you won't feel bad if you cut it up. Also, the balsa with CrOx works great for touch-ups; it has already saved me some time and money on honing. YMMV, but my experience with whipped dog has been great!
[QUOTE=Catrentshaving;1201675 as Oz pointed out, at times you're just buying a disposable that can't be honed again. In the beginning aren't we all getting into this hobby to save money on shaving and not give into the throw aways?[/QUOTE]
How often would a razor need to be honed again? Barring accidents with the faucet or...., with proper care and touchups with paste/barbers hones I think even the most worn razor would last long enough to get your moneys worth out of it. Especially if they end up like me, with RAD so I end up rotating razors. I have had my whipped dog for a year now with only stropping. I am guessing it will last many more years before I have to hone it seriously. A touch up on my pasted paddle will keep it going for a long time.
A razor that cant be honed again is such nonsense.
I have honed and shaved with razors that were half of their original width.