i need help with getting a new razor

so im new and i want to start shaving with a straight razor. im only 17 but i cant shave with a mach 3 4 or 5 or whatever the hell is coming out next. i get irritation,bumps,cute,ingrown hairs. the works! i hate it and im so sick of it. so i really want to start shaving with a straight razor to see if my problems will be fixed. ive been looking on ebay for a nice razor that wont set me back to much. what would you guys say about these? the first one ive listed is the one i think i want to purchase.thank you!

Antique Solingen Straight Razor COLOMBI Germany - eBay (item 250326993789 end time Nov-23-08 17:05:41 PST)

Sweeney Todd "Demon Barber" Straight Razor - eBay (item 140283521195 end time Nov-28-08 05:19:28 PST)

im sure the sweeney todd one is HORRIBLE but it looks cool, doubt id buy it though. must be a scam!


solingen straight razor germany henckles - eBay (item 400011110792 end time Dec-21-08 08:26:25 PST)


STRAIGHT RAZOR HENCKELS GRAEF & SCHMIDT - eBay (item 150309666061 end time Nov-23-08 12:15:15 PST)


straight razor, Collectibles, Health Beauty items on eBay.com

IMHO, the learning curve is steep enough without throwing the uncertainties of an ebay razor into the picture. I think you'd do best to post a Want to Buy note in the classified section here for a shave ready razor. Generally, you will know that you are getting a properly honed blade that hasn't been screwed up by some ebay seller that doesn't know what they are doing.

Oh, the sweeney todd razor...forget it.

Jordan

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Originally Posted by jnich67

IMHO, the learning curve is steep enough without throwing the uncertainties of an ebay razor into the picture. I think you'd do best to post a Want to Buy note in the classified section here for a shave ready razor. Generally, you will know that you are getting a properly honed blade that hasn't been screwed up by some ebay seller that doesn't know what they are doing.

Oh, the sweeney todd razor...forget it.

Jordan

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oh yea i know, i was just messing around about the sweeney todd one. but i thought the solingen ones may be good choices?

They may be good or they may have minor flaws that can really trip up a new straight user. While there are steals to be had, the "good" looking razors often seem to rise in price to the point where you can do better buying from someone here. There are a couple of blades listed in the $40-$50range currently. I think you'd do better with one of them instead of spending $30+ for a razor that might be warped, have excessive hone wear, etc. To find something for less, you can post a WTB, someone might approach you with a reasonably priced razor that they haven't listed yet. Just my $.02.

Jordan

the thing is. i dont have money to spend like that. so i figuerd if i buy a cheaper one off ebay and see how i like it that even if i dont atleast i didnt spend a load of money.

Not having extra money to spend is a big reason NOT to get one on EBAY... A razor from the bay will NOT be shave ready costing you extra money in that alone. If you had hones and were more experience using them , then that would be a different story. Getting a "shave ready" razor from here on SRP would for sure save you money in the long run and get you up and shaving a heck of a lot quicker.

Viegas, look at it this way. By the time you spend $25-$50 for something on ebay, pay shipping, then pay to get it honed by one of the honemeisters (plus shipping both ways) you will have spent more than just buying a shave ready razor from the classifieds. You are also going to have to invest in a few other items. At a minimum you will need the following:

1. Shave ready razor
2. Strop (hanging is the bnest, but a paddle will work)
3. Shave brush (can be had for as little as $5)
4. Shave soap/cream (personal choice)

Kenrup (a member here) also sells starter sets (shave ready razor and strop) at a very nice price. Check the Vendor's Cortner forum and the classifieds for all these things. Ask around. You never know what you will be able to come up with.

guess you guys are right. well i was planning on saving up some money and buying a razor from royalshave.com...the one i wanted was the dovo razor hollow 5/8 i think its called and it was a bit expenssive but i guess it will be worth it istead of buying a crappy one rite?now since you guys are well educated on straight razors would a new dovo be a good choice for me?

well thanks to you guys ive decided to just spend my money and get something thats good instead of the opposite. but i have a question what is better and what is the difference between a wedge,half hollow,or full hollow? the one im looking at is a dovo 5/8 best quality half hollow. is that a good razor?

Check the wiki for explaination in regards to the full hollow, 1/2 hollow etc, Basically the "more" hollow it is the more flexible the blade is in relative terms. In the end it comes down to personal preference as to how hollow you like the blades. Because of the flixibility of the blades the hollows shave closer, but the wedges can feel smoother when you are shaving. People with heavy, course beards seem to prefer the wedges. I like both, but I started out with the hollow ground ones. Hollows also are a bit easier to hone. It also lists some brands to consider and those to avoid.

Its a good razor but you will still have to send it out for honing. the part were the site you found offers sharpening is still under construction. New DOVO's rarly come sharp enough to shave with from the factory. This service is usually about $20.00 plus shipping both ways.

Thats a big part of why guys are saying the cheapest way to get into straight shaving is with a pre-sharpened vintage blade from the classifieds.

You might check This site They offer sharpening right there so at least you wouldn't have to ship it out after you get it.

Viegas, I don't think you fully comprehend what you are getting with one from the classifieds or a starter set from Kenrup. You are not getting a "crappy razor". Just the opposite is true. You are getting a nice razor at a very attractive price, and probably shave ready (it will state so in the ad). Hey, I got my first straight from the classifieds (a 6/8 ES-EX round point) for $40, shipped. It was a great razor, and one that got me through the learning curve. Members have reputations to protect so they are not going to unload a crappy razor on an unsuspecting newbie. They are offering members a great value and service. The second razor I purchased here was a generic 6/8 round point that is my second best razor. I love it! I wouldn't trade it for one of those sexy, shiney new ones. It gives me a sweet BBS shave.

The question you should be asking is: Should I spend well over $100 for a new razor that I will likely have to get honed on top of the cost of the razor? Plus I will have to wait an additional few weeks for all that to happen before I can actually start shaving. Or should I spend a lot less money on a darned good razor that is already shave ready? Then I can take the money I saved and purchase the other items I need. Plus I can start to shave a lot sooner.

It's your money and your priorities. All we can do is offer suggestions...

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Originally Posted by dward

Viegas, I don't think you fully comprehend what you are getting with one from the classifieds or a starter set from Kenrup. You are not getting a "crappy razor". Just the opposite is true. You are getting a nice razor at a very attractive price, and probably shave ready (it will state so in the ad). Hey, I got my first straight from the classifieds (a 6/8 ES-EX round point) for $40, shipped. It was a great razor, and one that got me through the learning curve. Members have reputations to protect so they are not going to unload a crappy razor on an unsuspecting newbie. They are offering members a great value and service. The second razor I purchased here was a generic 6/8 round point that is my second best razor. I love it! I wouldn't trade it for one of those sexy, shiney new ones. It gives me a sweet BBS shave.

The question you should be asking is: Should I spend well over $100 for a new razor that I will likely have to get honed on top of the cost of the razor? Plus I will have to wait an additional few weeks for all that to happen before I can actually start shaving. Or should I spend a lot less money on a darned good razor that is already shave ready? Then I can take the money I saved and purchase the other items I need. Plus I can start to shave a lot sooner.

It's your money and your priorities. All we can do is offer suggestions...

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oh ok. i actually thought if i purchased one of those new ones it would be sharp and the best one to get i didnt know it would come unsharpened but yea ill check out the classifides.