First Straight

[mfarber]

This topic has probably been covered before, but here goes again.

I am looking to purchase my first straight razor. I will probably go with a Dovo or similar (Boker?). Assuming I stick with a 5/8 hollow grind carbon blade, my question is this: Aside from different types of scales and ornamentation on the blade, is there any significant difference between one razor and the next? In other words, is the $80 razor with plastic scales and a plain looking blade the same, in terms of quality, as the one with ivory scales and decorative gold plating on the blade?

 

[Raithskar]

Some models use diifferent steel blends. Swedish, German etc.. If you are just getting into it, I would highly suggest Whipped Dog www.whippeddog.com. Larry will sell you a shave ready vintage straight, beginners strop, and a blasa with Cromium oxide & Iron oxide to refresh your edge until it needs honing again. All of this can be had at a very reasonable price. The razor will be no beauty queen, but it will do what it was meant to do, and do it very well.

If you go this route and decide the straight blsde is not for you, then you will not be out so much money. Yu also want the strop, because you are going to nick it. Better to knick a beginner than sey a Scrupleworks, or Kanayama which both come at a premium price.

Hope this helps.

 

[Slash McCoy]

Not much difference. It's a piece of steel, that's all. I don't think much of entry level "Best" Dovos in general, but the common defects can usually be fixed. Boker King Cutter is a good beginner's blade if you insist on buying new. But I would recommend starting with a vintage razor from Larry at www.whippeddog.com or a slightly modified Gold Dollar from Buca here on the BST. http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/361859-Gold-Dollars-66-22-shipped-conus-SHAVE-ready. Either one will be honed and ready to shave. Much smaller investment, just as good a shave, as a new razor. Also be advised that most razors are NOT sold in shave-ready condition but must be honed.

YMMV.

 

[blackhhawk]

+1 for the GD. I spent a lot of money on a really nice Dovo and I don't even use it. My Gold Dollar shaves better.

Let me just say, though, I bought the GD here from a hobbyist.

 

[Marco]

Sir, what really counts is the quality of the steel. I'd get a basic Boker in your shoes.

 

[KW Driver]

Sir, what really counts is the quality of the steel. I'd get a basic Boker in your shoes.

IF, it had to be a new blade. you'd probably still need to get it honed, and you'd need a strop. I went with a Whippd dog and couldn't have been happier. I believe it's the best starter system going. or, pick up a Gold Dollar here, and Larry's poor man's strop kit. you will destroy the strop, and that's ok. better it than a pricey one, as stated.

 

[gash]

Welcome to Badger & Blade.

I went with Whipped Dog for my first straight razor, and I'm glad I did. You'll see many suggestions to begin with a straight and a strop kit from Whipped Dog. It's probably the easiest way to get exactly what you need.

 

[Slash McCoy]

Strop on newspaper for the first week. Just fold it into a strop, loop the end over something and pinch both ends together, and pull tight. Make your mistakes on that. Meanwhile get a PMSK from Larry, or better yet a Big Daddy from www.starshaving.com. I have two of them and I love them.

 

[Oscroft]

Sir, what really counts is the quality of the steel. I'd get a basic Boker in your shoes.

He'd cut his feet!

 

[Acmemfg]

This discussion comes up more often than not and it almost always leans toward the acquisition of a "vintage" (read used and old) razor which isn't all that visually attractive but does in fact afford a decent shave. I have a Whipped Dog razor and have zero complaints. It was sent to me properly honed and it continues to shave well; indeed larry is also a fine vendor who I think will bend backwards to keep his customers satisfied. Now...all that being said..................

Want a razor?? Go Big or Go Home. You can pick up a decent entry level Boker (my opinion is that the Bokers are razor for razor a better manufactured product than Dovo-I have an assortment of both and Bokers just seem to have the edge-pun intended) for $125-$150 professionally honed and ready to go. Add a Star Big Daddy and you are now set for keeps-cost will be about $$170-$180. The Whipped Dog package for sure will run you a lot less. Actually he has a couple razors on there right now I wouldn't mind having.

Don't like straights?? No worries. You can most probably get back 75%-85% of your purchase price via B/S/T.

Anyway....that's just another opinion on the whole "First Straight Razor" issue. For sure you won't go wrong with Larry & Co. but it's not ALL that pricey to go the other, less-discussed route. Or...just flip a coin......................

 

[buca3152]

My first razor was an aos dovo best. Crooked spine, short at the toe. Not worth the $100 I spent. Gds properly honed will shave as well as any and you can get 4 for the price of one.

 

[Slash McCoy]

My first razor was an aos dovo best. Crooked spine, short at the toe. Not worth the $100 I spent. Gds properly honed will shave as well as any and you can get 4 for the price of one.

My first was also a Dovo Best and it sucked. My second one was a Col Conk. I wanted something different that didn't suck. Unfortunately I soon realized that the Conk was just a rebranded Best, and it sucked, too. First time I tried a Prima Klang, I decided that not all Dovos are so bad, after all, but my first vintage American blade, a Genco 5/8 full hollow, I think, was a revelation. Then I discovered B&B and my straight razor knowledge increased overnight, literally. I think I was up til daylight reading stuff and copying pages to my computer. Shortly thereafter I had read enough about Gold Dollars to pull the trigger on a handful of them and I am still amazed at what can be done with a $3.43 (with free shipping!) razor shaped object.

FWIW, a Best can be fixed using the same methods used to mod a GD, and then it can shave pretty much as good as the GD. I understand SRD and a few other vendors are doing a good job of fixing them. So yeah, an entry level Dovo can be just as good as a modified GD, but the GD is, how shall I put it delicately and tactfully, way cheaper. And if you look at the work that Mycarver and Seraphim and Otto and a few others are doing, it is obvious that a GD can look as good as it shaves, if looks are important.

Some guys just like to spend money, and nothing wrong with that. For them, I would actually recommend checking out the Revisor site, or grabbing a new Boker or maybe a Palisander from Jarrod. For the rest of us, a Whipped Dog or a modded GD66.

 

[buca3152]

For under 100 i would get one of seraphims customs. I bought one a while back and he really does a nice job on them and they shave great. Hes got a few on now for 50 ish. Nice funky scales.

 

[tomjr]

i have seen lots of complaints on dovo razors quality. i would go for one of seraphims blades or the boker. maybe something will strike your fancy on the BST, SHAVE READY of course!

 

[blackhhawk]

I spent almost 160 on a nice dovo. It's not bad, but my Gold Dollar from buca shaves way better. I use it every day. I regret buying the dovo.

 

[totorlekiller]

No points in getting new if you are not even getting nice.
If you are getting plastic scales anyway you might just as well get a modified Gold dollar or a vintage like Larry's.

 

[Slash McCoy]

To be perfectly honest, I can't see myself selling a GD even barely modded and shave-ready for the low price Buca is getting, nor selling a custom for what Seraphim is getting. These prices are crazy cheap and anybody looking for a razor needs to see what these guys have ready to ship before even considering a Dovo, particularly a Dovo Best Quality. I'm talking major bang for the buck, from these guys.

 

[buca3152]

I always have 66s, right now I have 15 of each 200s 208s and 100s. Can ship tomorow. Second hone free ( you pay the ship).

 

[mfarber]

I always have 66s, right now I have 15 of each 200s 208s and 100s. Can ship tomorow. Second hone free ( you pay the ship).

How much to ship the GDs to Canada?

 

[mfarber]

Thanks everyone for your advice. Just ordered my first razor (GD 208). Looking forward to joining the brotherhood, and hopefully, there will NOT be blood!