Buying a straight razor, advice?

IrishKnight · 27-05-2011 08:02PM #1

So I have being shaving with a disposable straight edge for the past two years or so, and naturally, I love it. So I've started looking at buying the real deal from our friends over at shaving.ie

So fellow boardies, I come asking, which razor and strop should I go for? Now considering that I will be a newbie at it, I'm looking at the cheaper end of the scale with the idea of "training" myself on it. I'd rather mess up a cheapish razor than a expensive one.

Also, what about hones? What should I go for?

So gentlemen, please depart with your advice!

hitemfrank · 27-05-2011 10:10PM

From looking at Shaving.ie they only have Dovo straight razors. Dovo straights come with what Dovo claim is a shave ready edge but it generally considered that the edge Dovo put on the razors are crap (no point sugar coating it). It's a good idea to send out a new Dovo for honing so it really is shave ready.

Honing is not something you should really do on your first razor yourself. You should have someone who knows what they are doing hone your first razor so you know what a shave ready edge feels like. Once the edge is properly honed you can maintain the razor theoretically indefinitely with just a barbers hone. Just a few passes on a barbers hone once a week can keep the edge shave ready.

If you are really looking for the lower end - which is the right thing to do in case you realise the real deal isn't for you - you should check out www.whippeddog.com. He is on a break for a few weeks though. He does have some cheap vintage straight razors as well as barber hones and a cheap strop kit. It's a good way to start out with straights.

If you're after new razors you should have a look here; Dovo Best Quality and the main Dovo page
If memory servers me right Jarrod at thesuperiorshave hones all of the razors before he sends them out - he did for the Dovo I got there anyway.

Picking up a cheap strop is always a good idea because it's likely you will put some cuts in it until you get the hang of stropping the razor, so it's always better if it's a cheap strop you carve into.

Hopefully I haven't left anything out there.

MadsL · 27-05-2011 10:32PM

You have a few options;

Budget for a factory razor and then immediately send it to a pro to be honed (brand new factory razors are, believe it or not, quite blunt unless you want to spend Thiers Issard money for one) - more info here.
http://straightrazorplace.com/srpwiki/index.php/The_Shave_Ready_Razor

Or buy a shave ready vintage (or new) razor for cheap. http://www.whippeddog.com/ have plenty of choice - not fancy but certainly shave ready, they also do a poor mans strop package.
Or http://www.theinvisibleedge.co.uk/shavereadyrazors.html

Or, buy vintage on ebay (plenty of shave ready restores) - just know what you are looking for and brands to avoid. http://straightrazorplace.com/srpwiki/index.php/Brands_of_Straight_Razors_to_avoid
Straight Razor Place is good for the market place too. Read a lot before buying and try to avoid bad frowns or extreme smiles on razors. http://straightrazorplace.com/classifieds/

If you do go the vintage route it can be fun to learn to hone (coticules whilst appearing expensive are actually pretty much all you will need as they go from low grit to high depending how you use them) www.coticule.be and www.theinvisibleedge.co.uk

Me, I made life as difficult as possible :rolleyes: I'm learning to shave, restore and hone all at the same time. Slightly steep curve there.

I got some nice finds on ebay, I love my coticule and I'm learning to make things shiny and sharp

My shave is getting better too!

As a last word, please, please do not buy an expensive strop to start. You will nick it, you may even cut it. I have already two (thankfully) small nicks in mine and a moments distraction will have you cursing. Paddle strops are good for learning. I got myself a vintage (new but old stock) strop on ebay for £20 that has a ready pasted CrOx side for touchups. Once that is destroyed I'll buy something nice. He still has some -
http://cgi.ebay.com/vintage-Golf-razor-LEATHER-STROP-Solingen-NOS-/250789702654?pt=UK_Collectables_Barber_Shop_Collectables_LE&hash=item3a643b2bfe

There is also a nice Dovo strop here that someone has CrOx pasted the linen side (bad idea) other wise it is brand new. The linen may even be salvagable.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160591297904&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

If you do decide to dip a toe and buy something that is reasonable on ebay, I'll hone it to pass a hanging hair test for free providing it's not twisted, or badly frowning/smiling or has large chips out of the edge.

I'm not by any means a honemeister, and wouldn't dream of charging but will be happy to help you get started if you wish provided you don't expect miracles

Let us know how it turns out!! :pac:

MadsL · 27-05-2011 10:48PM

Oh, and if you do think about a coticule, the 'enthusiasts' at www.coticule.be will hone a serviceable razor for free one time so you can test a coticule edge.

http://www.coticule.be/free-honing-service.html

Oh and regarding razor size, probably aim for a half or full hollow, with a 5/8 or 6/8 blade this would be a middle ground.

Smokeyskelton · 23-06-2011 12:30PM

Have you thought about getting a cheapie disposable straight edge razor?

These are cheap handles in the shape of a straight razor that can take cheap disposable straight edge blades.

They certainly don't have the romance of the proper old fashioned blade, but they might be worth considering just to practice technique. If you like using the straight edge and have a good technique you could then buy a better straight edge razor.

Of course I don't really know what I'm talking about as I've never used them, or indeed a straight edge razor, but it's just an observation.

MadsL · 24-06-2011 05:14PM

You will kick yourself but you might want to read the first line of the OPs post...

I have being shaving with a disposable straight edge for the past two years or so

He means what you recommended.

Smokeyskelton · 25-06-2011 11:25AM

Hi MadsL,

I make it a firm policy never to read the OP carefully before dispensing the benefit of my wisdom.

This course of action has two beneficial outcomes. Firstly, my musings are untrammeled by the need to fit within the strictures of the original post.

Secondly, and more importantly, I would not wish to miss the opportunity to make an ass of myself in a semi-public forum.

p.s. I wish to apologise to the OP, MadsL and all those who have been affected by my thoughtless actions, opinions and advice.

Smokey

Buying a straight razor, advice?

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