Thread: Why straight razors so hard to find?

Yep, I'm new. Don't even have my first razor yet. (Tax return needs to hurry up). I posted in the member introductions about scoping out a Dovo ironwood, but have been giving TI a hard look. Since I doubt I would find a store in my state that carries such a thing, it's up to the internet. My question is why most sites I come across are 90-100% sold out?

Apologies if this has been discussed ad nauseum.

So this is just me and coming up with a theory while I eat my lunch but it seems reasonable. Most veteran shavers prefer vintage steel over the new. A new shaver may get gun shy around the cost of a new good quality razor, so basic economics come into play with supply and demand. Personally I find the classified's on this site a gold mine. My first razor was a brand new Dovo but I think if I was to do it again, I would buy a high quality blade from the classified site.

Originally Posted by serickson87

Yep, I'm new. Don't even have my first razor yet. (Tax return needs to hurry up). I posted in the member introductions about scoping out a Dovo ironwood, but have been giving TI a hard look. Since I doubt I would find a store in my state that carries such a thing, it's up to the internet. My question is why most sites I come across are 90-100% sold out?

Apologies if this has been discussed ad nauseum.

At the Dovo UK site, a couple of points are made. First, sales went through the roof when a straight razor was featured in the James Bond picture Skyfall. Second, one of Dovo's chief grinders died suddenly, which has pushed back the order wait time.

TI might be having the same problem with demand due to the movie.

Welcome to the forums. If you have an Art of Shaving store near you or within reasonable driving distance they carry TI and Dovo razors at normal retail prices. If this is your first straight there is the theory of going more economical initially to practice, and get use to it so if you find it is not your cup of tea you are not out a lot of funds. Otherwise if your heart is set on a specific razor you may want to contact vendors to see if they have an idea of when they will be getting their next shipment in and if they will contact you when it is in stock.

Good old-fashioned brick-and-mortar cutlery stores often stock straights (and DEs, for that matter) and their prices are usually closer to MSRP than Art of Shaving. The trick is to resist their offer to destroy your new razor on their knife-sharpening machine.

Originally Posted by Ecl

The trick is to resist their offer to destroy your new razor on their knife-sharpening machine.

Five years of wear and a terrible edge! What's not to like?

I think this is a good indicator of the shortage - I just checked SRD -

of 9 Boker models offered - only 2 in stock
of 4 Ralf Aust - 1 in stock
of 40 Dovos - none are listed as in stock

As a side note - I have been waiting to use an SDR gift cetificate since Christmas - got lucky and snagged one of the Boker Piccadillys they got in two weeks ago. There was a bit of a glitch with the certificate and Don was very helpful straightening out the situation. I cannont say enough good things about the guys at SRD, I hope the supply side of the equation gets fixed soon!

Originally Posted by eod7

Five years of wear and a terrible edge! What's not to like?

Knife-store edges are great... for opening letters and mixing paint. I just hate when they crack the scales by clamping the razor in a vise to file away that curved extra bit of steel that sticks out of the "handle".

Somewhere in this thread classic edge came up. I've gotten a couple of straights and some other stuff from them. Razors are shave ready and service is prompt. I have no complaints.

Thank you gentlemen, appreciate the input. I have yet to see the newest bond movie, I do know my watch forum was buzzing about the Omega he was wearing, but hadn't heard anything on the razor. I'll have to rent it tonight.

And that's sad about the Dovo guy, I'm sure they lost quite a bit of experience.