Hi, just joined here, any good starter razors or strops you'd reccomend. Thanks
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Hi, just joined here, any good starter razors or strops you'd reccomend. Thanks
HI Chief,
You've got lots of options but for an inexpensive launch, try Larry at whippeddog.com.
Hmmm, his site seems un-organized and the razors look well...not good.
Is this the route to go?
I have found his razors fine.
First off, what is your budget?
Is this just something you want to casually give a go or is this something you will learn come hell or high water?
Whipped dog is a good cheap setup to see if you like it or not. A lot of guys like to start cheap...but I got a nicer starter set and am glad I did.
Well, i'd like to start with a razor that is known to be good not some 20$ cheapie. Yes, i want to learn this to be my way of shaving and stop buying disposables. I'd like to get a set really, so i have everything i would need ready, but my budget is under 200 really, especially since down the road i will most likely have to get a more permanent razor.
And from what i've gathered a 6/8 is what im thinking of right now.
Thats kind of why I ask...go to straight razor designs and check out their kits. The razor also comes honed...which you will need done if you try to go the eBay route.
The reason guys go with the poor mans starter kit is you can nick you strop, ding your blade, etc and no big loss because you didn't spend that much...
Ok, i'll check it out..........PS how much do poor man kits usually go for then? under 100?
Also, should i go for a razor/strop set or go for the whole kit with the brush and all? Could i get away with just barbasol?
Is something like this a good idea? Or is this too expensive for a starter? Or is this no good? Also, should i go for a dovo, or work my way up?
Vintage Straight Razor | 50% off Wet Shaving Set German Made DOVO Solingen Straight Razor | VintageStraightRazor.com
This same site has other "specials" going on, but they are not dovo, so i dont know if i should look into them or not?
http://www.vintagestraightrazor.com/
The poor man's kit is actually the "sight unseen" kit on whipped dog. It's $55.
Yeah, the brush and decent soap/cream are a big part of it. There are quite a few beginner tips and sticky threads on SRP, I'd have a good read first...those say it better than I could :)
So you say go for a whippeddog poor man's special? Would that be better than getting the set i mentioned up a few posts? With the 55 dollar deal you'd still have to get a brush and soap and all anyway?
http://www.vintagestraightrazor.com/...ght-Razor.html
The Vendor you are referencing has absolutely nothing to do with SRP,,, what-so-ever...
We also do not allow Vendor Bashing here on SRP so no one will really say anything bad about that or any other vendor on the open forum
Glen Senior Mod SRP
Oh. i'm sorry, i had no idea you guys back certain sites. I was just wondering if the items in that set were decent, and not junk. Nothing to do with the sitye itself really.
I guess if anyone would like to personal message me, i hope that would be ok. Thanks
I'm not quite sure what you mean, but as far as I know we do not 'back certain sites'.
From what I've seen from the site you are referencing, though, I would recommend you stay away from it. There's somewhere a thread or two on this forum from when he tried to drum up business here only to be called on incompetence, misrepresentation, and misinformation.
SRP does not back certain sites, though there are vendors that advertise here. If you're just looking to get you toes wet without investing a chunk of change, then there are a few options for you. Check the classifieds or some of the vendors here. You don't have to buy a brand new razor, you can buy used/vintage-just make sure it is shave ready. You can pick up a usable brush and soap from CVS, Walgreens, Target, etc for around $10 maybe.
Hey Chief
I think it's not so much that SRP "backs" certain sites as much as it is that many vendors have gone "above and beyond" and established meaningful ties with chunks of this community at large (not exclusive to SRP.) I'm still in my first year of "Traditional Shaving" and although have not tapped Larry at whippeddog.com I've only heard great things about his gig from other members (again, here and elsewhere...) I don't know the vendor you referenced. The razor looks fine (entry level Dovo) but the VDH stuff is usually very inexpensive and I didn't see any details on the strop--which gives me a little pause.
I did start with a kit from Straight Razor Designs, but very soon after picked up honing stuff and additional razors from the Bay and various shaving sites. Start slow, work on tuning your stropping technique... and don't discount an ugly duckling straight--some of my best shavers are pretty damn plain looking... beat up a little even, but with a great bevel, great steel and a killer edge.
Anyway--Good Luck!
Ok, thanks all. I didnt mean to put down this site if that was what it was taken for. So a entry best quality dovo is the same as a whippeddog razor?
Don't know if anyone said it yet but Welcome to SRP :)
In answer to your question...no, they're not the same. You'll do well with any Dovo razor, my first straight was a Dovo and I still have it and love it. The main thing you want to make sure of is that whatever razor you decide on is properly honed..factory honed IS NOT shave ready! That'll save you a lot of headaches :)
Other than that its basically a matter of preference. Have a look around the classifieds here or check out some of the vendors.
on that kit above, it says leather strop and webbed fabric? Does that mean that is has a cloth side?
but it does the same function as a cloth side?
Ok, thanks. Do you know how long it takes for this vendor to get this type of set back in stock?
Also, on a side note, is there a chance of getting a discount code for this site, or do they not offer that. Not trying to be cheap, but high end for me.
Thanks again everyone for all your help thus far.
You could contact them and see when they'll be restocking...they're really good to deal with. Shipping is free in the US on orders over $100
Hi Chief
Firstly welcome to the SRP community
I see you have a great many questions about wet shaving.
My recommendation to you is to go for the Dovo Best Quality set
It certainly will give you a good quality entry level setup within your stated budget
While you wait for the goods to arrive, read up as much as you can about straight razor shaving
In particular look for threads on shaving, making lather, stropping methods
Another very valuable learning tool is to watch any video clips on these subjects
Tips - download the latest Free You Tube Downloader to your computer
Then you can save any videos you like to your computer.
Then you can find it any time you need it without having to be online
One last tip - the search bar at top right can be your best friend here
Use it and go through the replies shown
Best of luck in your venture
Rick
Welcome to SRP Chief. First let me say that I would not purchase a razor sight unseen. I do not believe that is a good business practice and that alone would make me question the business ethics of any vendor. I also perceive the quality of business for a vendor on the quality of their web site. I'm all for saving money any way I can but the risk needs to be on the low end. Our library/WIKI has a list of razors to avoid here: Brands of Straight Razors to avoid - Straight Razor Place Wiki It is not a complete list but will give you some idea of what to avoid. There are a lot of razor shaped objects out there that are just for show and not for shaving. We also have a list of razors that are good: Good Straight Razor Brands - Straight Razor Place Wiki This list is also not complete but a good starting place. Be aware that purchasing a razor that need restoration services may exceed the actual market value of the razor.
What inexpensive gear would I recommend? Here's my list:
Illinois strop: Search for a site to purchase from but this vendor is fine - Illinois #835 Hanging Razor Strop
Vulfix Pure Badger brush: Vulfix Shaving Brushes
Shave cream/Soap: Premium Shave Cream with Eucalyptus Oil - C.O. Bigelow - Bath & Body Works
Straight razor: Dovo and Thiers-Issard are good brands for new. Vendors that I know provide new, shave ready razors are Straight Razor Designs, Classic Shaving and Vintage Blades LLC just to name a few of the more prominent ones. Vintage per the approved list above or from Solingin, Sheffield, Sweden or US. Check the classifieds forum and choose a seller with lots of experience and sales. There have been sellers purporting instant success in restoration and honing. Avoid them until you know more about the gear you are purchasing and/or how to hone/restore them.
I started straight shaving with all but the strop I listed above and it was a good start. Using poor quality gear has caused many a people to give up on straight shaving.
There are many better products available for more money. The items I listed will get the job done and done well.
I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but I'm just wondering why wouldn't you just pick up the phone and ask the people who can actually answer that question, i.e. the vendor?
Yes, a brand new razor usually cost more money than a comparable razor that has been used (and often abused). If quality new equipment isn't quite within your budget, you've got to compromise on either the quality, or the condition, or on both.
It's not that hard to compare prices online if you want to see if somebody is charging you an arm and leg for junk. For example when you get a 'complete set' with strange or missing brand names on the individual pieces it is a pretty safe assumption that these items are simply the cheapest version and the poorest quality of such items that normally cost less than $1 each.
Thanks all.....and i was under the impression that the vendor was on this sight is all.