so, what's a good beginners straight razor to buy?

[Dr. Fitness]

can't believe i made the jump from DE shaving to straight so fast, but I bout a reusable straight just to see what it was like, and i took to it like a fish to water.

soooo, I'm looking at a DOVO right now. What's a good quality straight that will last a life time?

also, as i learn the art of stropping and honing, can I destroy a good razor if I do those wrong?

[PalmettoB]

Glad you've decided to make the jump to straights. It can be a rewarding next step in wetshaving. I can offer a few suggestions, but you'll want to go back and examine some past threads here in the straights forum. This question comes up rather frequently. DOVO does indeed make a good blade, if you're in the market for a new one. Thiers Issard makes nice blades as well, though you may find the occasional quality control issue with them relative to the price.

You may also find a good vintage blade as well, and not just at antiques shops or Ebay. There are some good deals to be had in terms of new-old stock (unused but older blades not currently being made anymore) or restores. Check out some of the threads in the restoration forum also. Check out our Shave Shopping Index, too.

And yeah, you can really mess up a blade by improperly honing or stropping it. Stropping is a more immediate skill you'll need to learn, though it's not too difficult. It just takes some practice. Honing is a skill you will eventually pick up, though you can send blades out to be honed reasonably. But you'll want to do it yourself after a while. And sure, that will take even more practice. But it is worth it.

[Dr. Fitness]

Originally Posted by PalmettoB

Glad you've decided to make the jump to straights. It can be a rewarding next step in wetshaving. I can offer a few suggestions, but you'll want to go back and examine some past threads here in the straights forum. This question comes up rather frequently. DOVO does indeed make a good blade, if you're in the market for a new one. Thiers Issard makes nice blades as well, though you may find the occasional quality control issue with them relative to the price.

You may also find a good vintage blade as well, and not just at antiques shops or Ebay. There are some good deals to be had in terms of new-old stock (unused but older blades not currently being made anymore) or restores. Check out some of the threads in the restoration forum also. Check out our Shave Shopping Index, too.

And yeah, you can really mess up a blade by improperly honing or stropping it. Stropping is a more immediate skill you'll need to learn, though it's not too difficult. It just takes some practice. Honing is a skill you will eventually pick up, though you can send blades out to be honed reasonably. But you'll want to do it yourself after a while. And sure, that will take even more practice. But it is worth it.

thank you for your response. that is what I'm afraid off, buying a nice blade then ruining it by stropping/honing wrong.

not sure i understood what you ment when you said this:

"Thiers Issard makes nice blades as well, though you may find the occasional quality control issue with them relative to the price."

[PalmettoB]

Thiers Issard is a well-known maker. They sell very good blades, and the steel is usually top-notch. There are occasional problems with the scales (handles) and how they fit. Considering TIs are usually more expensive than DOVOs or some other makers, one would expect a superior product. This is sometimes not the case. The reason I bring it up is that I would hate to see a newbie go right for a TI and then be disappointed. Don't get me wrong, they can be great, but you can get a "dud" from them more often than you should.

[MsBlackwolf]

A vintage blade can last a lifetime and is easier on the wallet than a new one. Watch the classifieds section here at TSD. These razors are usually sold "shave ready" and I don't think you would be sorry. Sellers here will answer any questions you might have about the razor's condition.

[flylot]

As a newbie with only 8 st8 shaves under his belt, I recommend practice stopping. Watch the videos available and either get a cheap practice stop (Tony Miller sells one with his set up) and practice either with a real blade (preferably a unsharpened blade) with tape on the edge (which is what I should have done!)or even a butter knife.

I probably have the world record for dinging a practice strop!

There is very little damage you can do to a razor that can't be fixed by a honemeister like Lynn, or KenRup, or Glen (Gssixgun) or others.

I hope you have as much fun with it as I am having! Good Luck!

[sffone]

I highly recommend that you consider getting a starter razor and strop combo from Ken Rup (ruprazor.com). For $60 you get a new, shave-ready straight razor and a new strop. Plus, Ken will re-hone your razor for free within the first three months.

[mastermute]

Buy from a reknowned dealer and you'll get a great deal! Make sure they hone it for you, it's worth the extra bucks if you are new to straights.

Lay off the honing unless you have a very strong urge! It'll cost you $$$'s to get all the stuff you want/need, you will be able to send it off for honing once or twice a year to a pro for many years to cover the cost!

Stropping; get a Tony Miller artisan strop and you'll be set for life!

Take care!

[flylot]

+1 Sffone on KenRup starter set. I have a Gold Dollar razor and its a great blade. Rupp will get it wicked sharp for you and he is quite reputable.

[DesertTime]

Originally Posted by sffone

I highly recommend that you consider getting a starter razor and strop combo from Ken Rup (ruprazor.com). For $60 you get a new, shave-ready straight razor and a new strop. Plus, Ken will re-hone your razor for free within the first three months.

+1
I bought a razor and strop from vintage blades and did well. But the ruprazor site looks like an excellent way to go. I've also seen others offering starter sets in the classifieds here, on B&B and SRP.