Thread: 1st Razor

Hi all,

I was wondering if any of you would be able to help me in regards to purchasing my 1st razor. I have read through the site and taken everything into consideration. However, at the time of looking cannot find any vintage razors for purchase, but yet again would not want to ruin them through misuse. I was browsing through one of the retailer sites and came across this Thiers-Issard starter kit a starter kit produced by thiers-issard. Now i was wondering if this was worth the purchase at GBP168. I realise that the majority of the stuff included in the bundle will not be top-notch quality however it comes with:

Jaguar 6/8 razor, ready-to-use
Thiers-Issard shaving brush
Stainless steel bowl with soap and lid
Thiers-Issard travel strop & strop paste
Thiers-Issard large alum lock in case

Would this be a good choice to get me started into the world of straight shaving. Any feedback would be welcome in this regard.

Regards

Rich

Welcome to SRP. The vendor whose site you linked to is a member here and I have bought a razor from him and can vouch for his honing ability and the quality of the product I bought. I have no experience with the Jaguar razor so I cannot speak to that.

Here is the SRP Wiki beginner's guide. If you give it a read as well as other tutorials in the wiki you'll have a better sense of what you 'need' to get started and what might be superfluous. Some of it is personal preference. I've never owned an alum block and prefer a hanging strop. So for me the set would have one non essential and lack an essential. I would do some shopping around with some of the other vendors who sponsor SRP and check out their starter kits as well.

Right. The vendor is well known, and the price of the kit seems reasonable from an across-the-puddle perspective.

However, the soap looks nondescript (and I would opt for a cream, anyway); I would go for a hanging strop; and the TI brushes are not the best value for money in my view.

From the same vendor:

• 101581 GBP 57
• Shave kits & Accs. GBP 70

This will leave you enough money to buy another vintage from the Classifieds for comparison purposes, and you can re-use the strop as a pasted/sprayed strop once you have finished nicking it. Not the most beautiful kit in the world, but functional without paying for the TI bells and whistles.

Or how about this (the current exchange rate will give you slight advantage when buying in Germany):

• Rasiermesser DOVO 5/8" The Different Scent:
  
• Heinrich L. Thäter - Rasierpinsel Rein Dachs, handgebunden The Different Scent:
• 1A - Leder Streichriemen für Rasiermesser The Different Scent:
• Mühle - Rasiercreme Aloe Vera, 100 Gramm The Different Scent:
• Mühle - Aftershave Lotion Aloe Vera, 100 ml The Different Scent:
• Alaunstein mit robuster Kordel The Different Scent:

EUR 60 + 30 + 35 + 15 + 20 + 12 = 172 Euro = 154,510023 GBP. And a much bigger bang for the buck. I swear by Thäter brushes, the strop is much nicer than the Dovo one, and the Mühle products (known as Edwin Jagger in your country) are top notch.

Check our classifieds for review of these and more products, and then stick to reputable vendors when shopping for a razor.

Happy shopping,
Robin

Hello, Rich:

If I were just starting out, this would be my selection:

I would opt for Dovo tortoise shell 5/8" or Dovo "Perlex" 5/8" razor. A 3" SRD strop, or an Illinois Russian 827 strop.

A good 22 mm. pure badger shave brush is great for starters. I like Edwin Jagger or Muhle brushes. Another good name is Vulfix. There are others.

For soap I would opt for Mama Bear, Mitchell's Wool Fat, Straight Razor Design or Pre de Province. For creams, I would start with Taylor of Old Bond Street. I prefer Thayers Super Medicated Witch Hazel and Aloe Vera to alum block.

Now you're all set. Of course, I, too, believe you should peek into the SRP tutorials, where you will find mounds of information.

Regards,
Obie

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all your help so far, i have taken your advice under consideration. Thanks for the info on the Dovo blades. I wanted to know your opinion on spending a little extra money on purchasing a Dovo ‘Astrale’ razor or the Dovo ‘Bismarck square point’ razor as i was purchasing the razor as my parents gave me money for my 21st and did not really want a celluloid razor for my 21st present. Would rather spend a little extra money and buy something a bit nicer. Will definitely get the strop that was recommended on the pretext that i will most likely ruin it while learning to use it. As for the brush, have been using soap and brush for some time, and will continue to use them so would you recommend spending a bit extra and purchasing a decent quality brush.

Rich

Hi, Rich,

Personally(!), I would rather buy two razors than a high priced one. If you feel courageous, keep an eye on the 7/8 Henckels "Friodur"s that keep popping up on eBay for approx USD 100. I got one, and it's a lot of fun. Given the choice between the Astrale and the Bismarck, I would go for the Bismarck.

As far as brushes are concerned, I would still go for a Thäter. The bottom line ones are great, but the EUR 99 Chubby is stellar: Thäter Manufaktur Herzlich Willkommen! - The Different Scent:. I seriously doubt you will get similar value for money from any other brush manufacturer.

Good luck, and do keep us posted.

Regards,
Robin

Hello, Rich:

You will like the Dovo razors. If I may make a suggestion, that Dovo "Bismarck" of which you speak is actually a "spike" and not a "square" point 5/8" razor. Those two points are somewhat similar, except the blade's tip — the bite, so to speak — on the square point is muted — rounded out — and less risky for a beginner.

If you really like the Dovo "Bismarck," I suggest going with the 6/8", which has a round point and is a gorgeous razor as well. I have had both of the razors, though no longer the "Bismarck" spike. When I owned it, I had the spike muted and it worked very well for me, since I don't like spikes. Please keep us informed.

Regards,
Obie

I would second Robin's suggestion to try for a NOS Friodur. Those are good shavers and if you can land one for $100, that is a very good deal.

Hi guys,

May i say again thank you for your help thus far. I think i am going to go with the recommendation for the Thuler brush and go with the bismarck 6/8" and possibly also purchase the dovo best quality entry blade for comparison purposes as the total cost would still come within my price range. I definately prefer the solid ivory handle Bismarck stocked by this site (Vintage Blades LLC::Dovo Straight Razors::Dovo Carbon Steel Straight Razors::Dovo White Bone "Bismarck", 6/8" Carbon Steel Straight Razor - Professionally Honed), plus it is the only site the i can find at the moment that stocks this ivory/bone handle rather than the red or black with the pearl inlay. Was wondering if this is a good reputable place to buy from, and wether i will need to get the blade honed professionally after purchase.

Regards

Rich

Hello, Rich:

You have made excellent choices in razors and brush. Yes, Vintage Blades is a highly reputable place and one of the best vendors. They will treat you well.

Regards,
Obie