Thread: Art of Shaving Razors (and Where Else to Buy?)

I strongly recommend SRD. I would suggest you to buy a Dovo straight razor from them, great for starters, and a fair price for a professionally honed razor.

Personally, I have never purchased a straight razor from AOS.

I have purchased straight razors from both of the other previously mentioned vendors, however. I like both of them and have never been disappointed with any razor that I purchased from either SRD or Bob Keyes. Bob does not offer straight razor sets, like SRD, just straight razors.

Check some of the other vendors who advertise here as well. I believe that they offer straight razor sets for sale.

You should also take a look at the SRP "Classifieds" if you are leaning towards just purchasing a vintage straight razor.

I reccomend ( The clasic edge) not only is phil an outstanding guy he really knows his stuff and everything comes shave ready he insures the utmost quality in everything he does and sells and answers any questions you might have. He also has excellent starter kits with strop razor shaving cream etc. Heres a link i suggest you take a look
Straight Razor Sets

+1 on the advice given so far. Buy new if you want, but if you're not sure you'll stick with it, then I would recommend the classifieds here or Larry at whippeddog. His "Sight Unseen" deals might sound awkward and counterintuitive, but they're a great way to get your toes wet without investing alot of moola. The razors may not be pretty, but they're shave ready. The main thing to remember is there is a learning curve involved with using a straight razor, regardless if you buy a brand new shiny razor or a used/vintage one. If you're are patient and willing to endure the process with the occasional setback, in time you will get the best shaves you could imagine. If you stick with it, trust me, there will be plenty of razors to invest in if your wallet is willing.

I bought a TI from Art of... and NO it was not shave ready, AOS is a retail store and does not provide this type of service ( honeing ) I did send my TI to Phil over at classic edge, however there are dozens of choices for your needs...DOZENS!!!

+1 to the Classic Edge they provide outstanding service!
And try to check classifieds, you can find there something interesting also

My first straight purchase was with AOS. I got the Dovo Cocobolo or the Forestal model. It was not 'shave ready'. I did send it out to be honed by Lynn. Before I sent it out, I also knew this old time barber who touched it up for me. Sometimes it could not hurt to find a barber. They might have the tools to do it. That did help. But having it sent out was a good idea. Also, I purchased a TI, unopened and not honed. It gave me a great shave the first time. I am really tempted to purchase one of AOS TI's to see if I get a similar experience. As they say here-YMMV (your mileage may very).

Originally Posted by ReardenSteel

+1 on the advice given so far. Buy new if you want, but if you're not sure you'll stick with it, then I would recommend the classifieds here or Larry at whippeddog. His "Sight Unseen" deals might sound awkward and counterintuitive, but they're a great way to get your toes wet without investing alot of moola. The razors may not be pretty, but they're shave ready. The main thing to remember is there is a learning curve involved with using a straight razor, regardless if you buy a brand new shiny razor or a used/vintage one. If you're are patient and willing to endure the process with the occasional setback, in time you will get the best shaves you could imagine. If you stick with it, trust me, there will be plenty of razors to invest in if your wallet is willing.

This is GREAT ADVICE!!! I second the Motion! While when I started, I sent my Uncles Genco Grant out to be honed and boy was it sharp! I then started buying a couple of 'extras' here at SRP all of them for about $30 delivered. I can personally recommend a nice beginners strop from Eric (Straight Razors for Sale | Straight Razors for Sale) he also has beginners razors and he puts a nice edge on his razors! He's the one that helped me so much when I was a new-newbie!!

Start slow and (cost effective)!! If you like this art, then the options are as open as the heavens!!

Wow! Thanks for all of the information! I think I worded my initial post poorly in terms of 'getting discouraged.' If/when I buy a straight, it'll be something I stick with for a long tme; I'm not one to give up something once I've invested some money into it. That said, since Whipped Dog had been mentioned it to me before I made this post, I did some more looking into it, and I think I've decided to go with the Sight Unseen deal, that way if I ruin the blade by hitting the sink or stropping poorly, etc, I didn't spend too much on it. I know I can always get it re-honed, but somehow, wrecking something worth $55 feels better than wrecking something worth $100+.
Since I live in Newfoundland, we don't have an AoS here, so I was looking at going into Body Shop for shaving soap/balm/etc. I know they're not a specialty store, but I'm pretty sure I've seen some brushes/bowls/creams in there before, and it'll be easier than having to have something shipped. Anyone have any experience with Body Shop items?
Thanks again for the info, everyone!

Anything you buy from AOS,will be very much overpriced,JMO
Body shop has some great deals sometimes on Proraso soaps and creams.