Thread: I cant take all this information in. Please help!

I was in the same position that you are in, 4 months ago. I was apprehensive about buying used because I didn't know what razors were worth the investment and just because they were shave ready didn't mean much when I see everyone on this site throwing around names, manufacturers, carbon, stainless, etc. If an unknown name is shave ready, what's different from a Double Duck that is shave ready?! So, I went with the combo from Straight Razors Design. Sure, it's a little more than a vintage razor but I recognize the name and the store. That isn't a bust on anyone that is selling on this site, I'm sure they are all respectable sellers, but after weeks of research, I was tired of reading/weighing/documenting to determine if the seller I was buying from was a smart decision.

As for the brush and soap, I stuck with a Nivea shave cream for a few months and eventually gave in to buying a brush (Franks, Ebay) and shaving cream from Sephora (Jack Black). Yes, not the normal shaving cream, but I like B&M stores that I can walk in to and I didn't want to drop $30 at Art of Shaving. In the end, I am really glad I did - that was the difference between a good shave and a great shave! Plus, the process of making the lather "completed" the overall process.

Other than that, I recommend the 3" strop.

Welcome to SRP! The most bang for the buck would be a vintage razor in listed in the WIKI as a brand to get. There are lots of god vintage razors in great shape that you may find in local antique shops or flea markets. Look for no rust, stains, cracks or chips in the scales or blade especially on the blade's bevel and edge. If the razor is from England (Sheffield), Germany (Solingen), the US or Sweden odds are in your favor that it will shave good. Get the razor professionally honed. Next best option would be from Straight Razor Designs if you don't have the patients to hunt one down. Their razors come professionally honed and I believe you get a free second honing. The classifieds are a good option but not as perfect as SRD. For a strop some of the members here say Illinois strops are good to start with and are not too expensive. Do a Google search. Don't worry about honing your own razor for at least 6 months of straight shaving and in that time you can use some chromium oxide on balsa or diamond spray/paste on felt, leather or even newspaper or old jeans to get you by. Good luck and be sure to have fun!

If you give Straight Razor Designs a call they will give you more honest information about the razors you are interested in than most of us can.

+1 Calling SRD, ask and you will be greatly pleased. As to strop, whatever one you get PRACTICE with a butter knife. It takes months to learn the simple art of correctly using a strop. No sense in cutting it while you learn. And have fun. Welcome!!!

The whipped dog suggestion for the strop is a great idea. You'll get a great "starter" strop as well as a piece of pasted balsa. The pasted balsa should be able to keep your edge in good condition to prolong the need for honing.

I got my first setup from the invisible edge. I bought a kit ($200ish). It came with a dovo razor shave ready, a stainless steel soap bowl (still use), a nice badger hair brush (still use), a strop (the strop is only 1.5 wide, but it will pass as a starter strop), soap, and stypic, and an alum bloc. Great deal in my mind.

As others have mentioned, you can't go wrong with either razor you are looking at...the strop/balsa from whipped dog is a great deal. I'd definitely consider it. Check out the kits from the invisible edge. Steve, the owner, has a great reputation. I got the basic, dovo best quality. I'm sure you can upgrade to one of the Dovo razors that you are considering now in the package.

If I could go back and do it again...I'd get the same kit from invisible edge, but I'd get the strop/balsa from whippeddog.com. $19. The strop is the only thing from the kit I don't like. I'd get a wider strop (3 inches). The 1.5 was difficult to use as a novice because the X pattern was needed to strop.

http://www.dovorazors.com/page32.html

Good luck and happy shaving.