Recommend a straight for a newbie

cardwizzard

Hi, looking for recommendations on a straight razor for myself. I have been looking at upteem websites and getting confused with the amount of options.

Looking for something decent, my budget is in the €100 range. If anyone has being in my postion and found a good one i'd love to hear about it.

Thks in advance.

hitemfrank

You have a couple of option available. Whatever you choose you will need a strop. Make it a cheap one because you will more than likely put cuts in it as you get used to stropping.

Here is the link to a good, cheap strop kit to start with.

Option 1
You could go straight for a new razor and see how you get on. Along with a strop, you will be pushing your budget to the limit. New razors generally come with a factory 'shave ready' edge. Normally these edges need to be refined to actually be shave ready.

http://www.shaving.ie/products/dovo-straight-razor.html - This razor can take a very nice edge but it will need to be honed poperly.

If you are going for a new one you may have to increase your budget a bit to give yourself more options.


Option 2
You could also buy a vintage razor from a seller who is known to sell them shave ready (not ebay). This should save you money and if you find that you don't like shave with a straight razor, you're not out much money.

I can personally only think of two place doing vintage razors. There may be more but I can't think of others right now. Whipped Dog and Neil Miller

I would say get a vintage razor from Whipped Dog and pick up a cheap strop there too. Neil Miller only has them from time to time where as whipped dog always has razors.

One the whipped dog site you have two options fo a vintage razor. Sight Unseen and Sight Unseen Flaawed


Option 3
Another option would be for me to send you a shave ready and really cheap Gold Dollar razor. If you find you like staight razors, you can buy yourself another razor and send the Gold Dollar back to me. If you don't like straight razors, send it back to me. You would still need to buy a strop.



Whatever you choose, watch some videos on shaving with a straight razor. It should help with figuring out how to hold the razor when shaving different parts of your face.

cardwizzard

Hiya, tnanks a lot for all the info.

In the couple of days since I started the thread I've gone and purchased a vintage straight off a lad on badger and blade. Hopefully it will arrive by the end of the week. Looking forward to giving it a try out. He says its shave ready.
Link to it, my buy is the second razor, the rosenbaum. Cost 50 dollars incl shipping which I thought was very fair. It leaves me a little to get a strop and maybe even a second razor as I may ruin this one.

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/388028-JNAT-s-Some-Straights-and-a-Pair-of-DE-s

Thanks a mil for the offer of sending me a GD to try, very generous indeed. If I hadn't pulled the trigger I might well have taken you up on the offer.

hitemfrank

Looks like you got a bargain with the Rosenbaum. A vey good size, looks in good condition, the price is good and it should be shave ready.


When it gets dull, I would be happy to resharpen it for you.

cardwizzard

hitemfrank wrote: »

Looks like you got a bargain with the Rosenbaum. A vey good size, looks in good condition, the price is good and it should be shave ready.


When it gets dull, I would be happy to resharpen it for you.

Thank you again regarding sharpening when I need it, I'll probably be in touch sooner than you think:-)

As for the razor yeah I try liked the size. I can have a heavy growth, so I'm told something a little bigger can help with the shave. Now all I have to do is learn how to use it!

hitemfrank

I saw one of you posts on B&B that said you got a shavette a while ago, so that should hopefully reduce the leaning curve.

Fom what I'm told a straight azor is a little more forgiving than a shavette.

cardwizzard

Razor arrived today, chuffed.

Had a shave and was pleasntly surprised. A little bigger than I imagined 13/16. Came in its orginal box which is a nice touch. In fairness the lad I got it off seems to know his stuff and had it in great condition.

I took my time and enjoyed the shave. It got pretty close after a few passes and touchups I'm happy. One little cut under the chin when I wasn't focused but apart from that happy days. Skin feels a bit dryer than normal, but I havn used and aftercream or anything just water. Can see how it can become additive buying before and after balms, razors and brushes. Wouldn't take long to build a nice little collection.

A happy shaver.

hitemfrank

Sounds like you're off to a great start. How did it compare to the shavette?

cardwizzard

hitemfrank wrote: »

Sounds like you're off to a great start. How did it compare to the shavette?

Thks Frank.

It was different than a shavette. The first time I used a shavette it cut me in ribbons. The angle to shave was a little narrower. Tighter than the 30° they all talk about. The one time I let my mind drift I cut my chin, so as long as I concentrated it was ok.

A lot heavier also, which I suppose was to be expected. Felt like I didn't have to force it as much, just guided the blade where to go if that makes sense.

Pretty pleased all in all:-) I can see why people keep buying all the different gear, razors, brushes balms etc. I ordered a strop of whipped dog ( poor mans) so that should be here any day.

hitemfrank

Yeah you may end up with a lot of razors if you're not careful. I would actually suggest you pick up a second straight if you decide to stick with it. It's good to have a second in case something happens to the first razor.

Vote 4 Pedro

I'd love to get a straight razor, the idea is very appealing to me, I've never tried one and i'm happy enough with the DE for now
but i think it's something i'll be seriously looking into in the next few months.

good luck with yours cardwizzard.

cardwizzard

What you think of Gold Dollar razors Frank. Can pick them up for next to nothing. About €5 each if you get them from China, which is where there made I believe.

hitemfrank

Gold dollars are made in China but are the exception of Chinese razors, as they can actually take and hold a good edge.

They generally come with a few flaws that need to be worked out though. If you're lucky you will get one with no issues.

If you want to pick one up you can find them for about 4 euro easily enough. They take the best part of a month to get here but they are fine shavers once they are honed.

If you order one send it my way and I'll see if I can get it into shaving condition. The two I ordered needed a tiny but of work and were quickly fixed.