Thread: Tennis brand razors - need help deciding

After decades of trouble shaving, finding DE razors has helped tremendously. I've decided, why not try a straight now? Since I've been playing tennis longer than I've been shaving and I love the sport, I'd like to pick up a Tennis brand razor.

Someone from wicked_edge was nice enough to respond to my WTB post and give me first dibs on the butterscotch razor pictured. At the same time I'd had my eye on an auction for the other razor with the darker scales. I've got til Wednesday to decide on which, or maybe wait for a 6/8 best quality Dovo to come in stock at Straight Razor Designs.

So far I'm thinking:

1. 5/8 Butterscotch Tennis - I like that it reads "Tennis" on both the scales and blade. However, there is a crack near the pin you'll notice on the picture of the back view. There is rust on the pins and a good bit on the blade. It does come with a fresh hone and vouched for by someone that's gotten compliments from other W_E posters. It would cost me 75 shipped.

2. (9/16?) Darker scaled Tennis - This one looks like it's had the scales replaced. The only place it reads "Tennis" is on the shank. There is alot of rust on the tang and some on the spine, but otherwise it looks like the cleaner razor. This one is an auction, so I'm not sure where the price will end up.

3. 6/8 new Dovo best quality - I've heard that 6/8 is a little easier to strop and a half hollow has a little extra weight which makes newbies like myself slow down when shaving. This would be 120 shipped along with a standard strop, the initial hone and another certificate for a hone in the future.

So, I know much of this is personal preference, but I also know I know little to nothing about straight razors. So, could you help me with a few words of which you would get and why? The popular answer is to get them all, of course, but I'm trying to control the SRAD with a single purchase. I'm also curious when Straight Razor Designs might have the best quality Dovos in stock, if anyone has a guess.

No matter what razor I end up with, I'm looking forward to learning as I did with the safety razor - should be fun.

I really like Tennis razors, but I personally would not spend that much for the first, and I would not recommend a razor as small as the second for a new shaver.

Note: I'm not saying the price for the first is out of line, nor am I saying its not worth that much. I'm just saying I wouldn't spend that much on it.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

I really like Tennis razors, but I personally would not spend that much for the first, and I would not recommend a razor as small as the second for a new shaver.

Note: I'm not saying the price for the first is out of line, nor am I saying its not worth that much. I'm just saying I wouldn't spend that much on it.

I did start out with a $2.55 Chinese safety razor, then upgraded to a $37 R89. Are you thinking along the lines that I should try it out first to figure out what I want before the investment, or is there actually a risk of damaging the straight razor as a newbie?

Is Larry's $28 flawed razor more along the lines of what you're thinking for a first or where else might I look to purchase?

Nope. It's just a bit more challenging to handle a narrow razor; on your face, on the strop, and on the hones. A thinner blade makes it harder to watch the angle; a narrow tang means the blade is more likes to rotate accidentally in your hands. While not major difficulties, I see no reason to stack the deck against a new shaver. I usually recommend 5/8-6/8, leaning toward the larger end of the range.

As for Larry's razors - I have never dealt with him, but I personally would never buy anything I have never seen. Whether you would or not is up to you.

In that case, does anyone know the likelihood that Straight Razor Design may get the best quality Dovo 6/8 back in stock in the coming weeks or anywhere I could get a deal close to that good? I see others with the razor about the same price, but none with a free hone, not to mention a 2nd free hone certificate. That seems like a deal to good to pass up on a new first razor.

I've got to say I'm still thinking about those Tennis razors though.

I have only heard good things about Whupped Pup razors. Keep in mind the old saying "You get what you pay for" There is a reason those razors are that cheap. They are as claimed. "Whipped dogs" I see nothing wrong with trying one out its a small gamble, and unless I am mistaken, he offers a return policy (somebody correct me if Im wrong)
Tennis razors were a hot item a few years ago, kind of like Friodurs are today. I do think a new shaver should go with a 5/8 or 6/8 though.
Have you checked the classifieds on here?

Originally Posted by Magpie

I have only heard good things about Whupped Pup razors. Keep in mind the old saying "You get what you pay for" There is a reason those razors are that cheap. They are as claimed. "Whipped dogs" I see nothing wrong with trying one out its a small gamble, and unless I am mistaken, he offers a return policy (somebody correct me if Im wrong)
Tennis razors were a hot item a few years ago, kind of like Friodurs are today. I do think a new shaver should go with a 5/8 or 6/8 though.
Have you checked the classifieds on here?

Well, I mailed Larry recently and he mailed right back saying he'd keep a lookout for a Tennis for me. I've browsed the recent classifieds here, but haven't really dug through them. I guess I should put up a WTB post here as well. I'd go ahead and pick up that butterscotch 5/8 if it weren't for the crack in the scales and the rust on the blade. I'm wondering how much it's cost to have it fixed up as good as new. Anyhow, I see on auction sites that the Tennis brand pops up every week or so. I'd much rather buy from a respected forum member though.

Tennis Razors are very nice shavers. I still have a couple and won't part with them. Something about The Pre Dovo ones that is very special.

Your call on junk razors that will shave or something you want to own and take pride in.

There is a razor out there for every individual, depending on your budget and mindset. When I was 21 and had to find my first razor and it was a definite had to after a great barber shop shave, I didn't have much money, but I wanted a razor just for me and went to a Chicago Cutlery store and bought one new. Still have it today and that was 40 years ago.

Have fun.

Originally Posted by Lynn

Tennis Razors are very nice shavers. I still have a couple and won't part with them. Something about The Pre Dovo ones that is very special.

Your call on junk razors that will shave or something you want to own and take pride in.

There is a razor out there for every individual, depending on your budget and mindset. When I was 21 and had to find my first razor and it was a definite had to after a great barber shop shave, I didn't have much money, but I wanted a razor just for me and went to a Chicago Cutlery store and bought one new. Still have it today and that was 40 years ago.

Have fun.

Being new to safety razors, I've enjoyed my Mühle R89 so much the last couple months. It's new and shiny and has done wonders for my shave. While browsing for a replacement to my homemade scuttle, I found an antique shaving mug for my dad. I knew he'd be in town and made a spur of the moment purchase since my daughter calls him Papa and it was inscribed on this cool looking mug. I gave him an Ecotools brush and half a tube Bigelow (Proraso) and he said it was the closest shave he'd ever had in his life. This shaving business can be more than just the utilitarian job of scraping off hair, that's for sure.

Update: Larry at Whipped Dog already found me a Tennis that I think I'll be happy with. It's another 5/8 with a blade that has never been honed and will leave me with a little more budget for the strop. Hopefully I'll learn about how to clean it up as well as I hear the rust on the blade is not fully developed.

p.s. If you like the butterscotch razor it will probably be posted soon over on Wicked_Edge if you are looking to buy. The seller has gotten some nice compliments on honing ability so it should be ready to go.