Thread: 1st real razor purchase...what should I get?

Hello,
I plan to order my 1st real straight tomorrow and am wondering what to get. My price range is $120 max. So far what has peaked my interest have been the following and I would very much appreciate your opinion:

1. DOVO Black Handle Best Value 5/8" Straight Razor Full Hollow Ground
DOVO Black Handle Best Value 5/8" Straight Razor Full Hollow Ground - Knifecenter.com

2. DOVO Genuine Ebony & "Silver Steel" 5/8
DOVO Straight Razors

What is sliver steel? Any good?

Please provide alternates that you think I should consider. Thanks so much!

BGAndrea,

Both of the razors you are considering purchasing are excellent choices...In fact, I own a Dovo Ebony Prima Silver Steel 5/8" str8 razor myself. My only concern is that I'm not sure if either of the merchants you are planning to purchase your razor from include professional honing of your razor in their purchase price.

If I were in your shoes, I would strongly consider purchasing your first str8 razor from either Straight Razor Designs or Vintage Blades, LLC. I know that both of them include professional honing because I purchased srtr8 razors from both of them last month.

dont buy from the knife shop it wont be shave ready
also you will need a strop so you may want to look at the sets with a strop included
atleast one vendor at this site has those within your pricerange

I would steer clear of Knifecenter . There are better vendors such as Straight Razor Designs , Rupprazor , etc . that will sell you a hand honed , shave ready razor that is in your price range . The Knifecenter is a knife store , and AFAIK they can't hand hone your razor for you , which is important if you don't have the hone , and the know how to hone a straight razor , properly .

you may also want to check out vintagebladesllc.com they have shave ready straights honed by lynn abrams and great prices also. i bought a new dovo perlex from them and it is a great shaver.....

Thanks for the replies thus far. I kind of fell in love with the following:

Dovo Imitation Tortoise Shell, 5/8" Carbon Steel Straight Razor - Professionally Honed

Vintage Blades LLC::Dovo Straight Razors::Dovo Carbon Steel Straight Razors::Dovo Imitation Tortoise Shell, 5/8" Carbon Steel Straight Razor - Professionally Honed

I have the brush, soap, etc. covered. I have been shaving with a DE for awhile and use the traditional stuff.

What do you recommend for a strop?

Also, do I need to get a special oil to protect the razor?

Anything I left out?

Ok so here is the link to the razor I like and strop combo:
Vintage Blades LLC::Straight Razor Sets::Dovo Straight Razor Sets - Carbon Steel::Our Dovo Basic Straight Razor Set - "Tortoise"

How good is the strop that comes with it? Should I pay to upgrade to the 3"?

Originally Posted by BGAndrea

Thanks for the replies thus far. I kind of fell in love with the following:

Dovo Imitation Tortoise Shell, 5/8" Carbon Steel Straight Razor - Professionally Honed

Vintage Blades LLC*::*Dovo Straight Razors*::*Dovo Carbon Steel Straight Razors*::*Dovo Imitation Tortoise Shell, 5/8" Carbon Steel Straight Razor - Professionally Honed

I have the brush, soap, etc. covered. I have been shaving with a DE for awhile and use the traditional stuff.

What do you recommend for a strop?

Also, do I need to get a special oil to protect the razor?

Anything I left out?

BGAndrea,

Again, those are all excellent choices.

If you are new to str8 razor shaving, I would recommend a 3" strop. There is no difference in the quality, just the width. The greater width alleviates the need to use an X pattern to strop your razor.

As for oil...Buy a small bottle of mineral oil from your local drugstore to lubricate the blade every couple of days.

Do I need strop paste?

My first(I have 8 now) razor was the Dovo "Best Quality" not "Best Value" I don't think they ever made a "Best Value" - the website you are using has it wrong. Click on the image of the razor you will see that it says"Best Quality" on the side. Anyway the price is right and it provides me with an excellent shave after I honed it and did a good job on the strop.