Having trouble looking for a straight razor.

[hudson_macbeth]

+1000 to the op who cares about finding out what her significant other really is interested in, and the gratuitous reference to a comic book character. my kind of woman

 

[BakerAndBadger]

How about a DE and a shavette? Just saying. I started with a DE for about 2 months, it's already different than an electric and a Mach3 and gets you used to spending time and concentrating whilst shaving.

 

[Brianskeet]

Vintage Straight Razor | Vintage Straight Razors | VintageStraightRazor.com

Shaving Shop - luxury classic wet shaving products - straight razors

Vintage Straight Razor Sales & Restorations, Hand Made Strops, UK Razor Honing and Vintage Hone Stones

The Superior Shave

BullGoose Shaving Supplies - Traditional Wetshaving, Razors, Brushes and Men's Grooming

I have purchased from The Superior Shave many times and have always been happy. I would be remiss if I did not mention Classic Shaving. Very large webiste with lots of choices.

 

[totorlekiller]

So far you guys are already very helpful... It's a shame SRD is so low on stock, there were a few attractive pieces.

Is there anything else? Are the Grim blades something to bother with or steer clear of?

Actually, I just thought about another option.
There is this guy on eBay from Japan that is well stocked up with the nicest vintage pieces (both Japonese and Western).
I have bought from him and so have many others on this board, with no issues.
Some of his piece are pricey, but you might find very interesting piece in your range. And they come shave-ready

Here is the store:
http://stores.ebay.com/Tamahagane-Honsha?_trksid=p2047675.l2563

 

[gash]

Whichever razor you end up buying, I'd recommend that you send him here before he uses it, because technique is important with straights. If you have him read the guides and ask any questions before his first shave, I think he'll have much more fun.

 

[animefarie]

Ok guys, so I'm checking all your suggestions and the sale threads and I'm still having a little trouble deciphering what is good or bad. Any particular signs or attributes to look for? So far you guys are so helpful thank you!!!

 

[animefarie]

So I'm really liking the marbled look of black horn, and I really do prefer the square tip or I think it's called butcher, and the points are nice too... basically my first choice is not the rounded edge even though there are a lot out there... I did a quick search, it's hard to not get caught with him around. But I found a couple that I could use some opinions on... not done searching just yet and I still need a kit to go with it... But:

http://www.royalshave.com/p/405-010-00/dovo-la-forme-carbon-steel-full-hollow-straight-razor.html


http://www.royalshave.com/p/405-022-00/dovo-grenadille-stainless-steel-straight-razor.html


http://www.royalshave.com/p/405-051-00/dovo_multiwood_razor.html


http://www.royalshave.com/p/405-132...el-full-hollow-straight-razor-grenadille.html


http://www.royalshave.com/p/405-129-00/puma-straight-razor-genuine-horn-handle-936400.html


http://www.royalshave.com/p/405-082-00/wacker-rasiermesser-red-head-full-hollow-straight-razor.html


http://www.royalshave.com/p/405-076...-jungmeister-buffalo-horn-straight-razor.html


http://www.royalshave.com/p/405-063-00/timor-hamburg-ring-straight-razor-horn-handle-68.html


http://gentlemanshaving.com/damascus-steel-straight-razor-with-buffalo-horn-handle/

The last one is a bit unbelievable... but I'd still like to hear what you all have to say.
Thanks!!

 

[Chaloney]

Unfortunately all the razors you linked from royal shave are out of stock. The last one seems hard to believe, I agree.

Again, id suggest the superior shave. He only shoes razors he has in stock, ships quickly, and hones the blades before shipping them.

You our could also look at http://www.shavingshop.com/index.php?category=43
ive heard good things about this site, although I've never purchased from him yet.

 

[cubancigar2000]

Superior shave has a lot of Dovos in stk and I have the la Frome but they do not. It is a fine razor - the Heribert Wacker is a step above and you can find one here

http://www.shavingshop.com/index.php?category=74

 

[Brianskeet]

The Superior Shave has some beautiful kits right now that have everything a new straight shaver would need in them.

 

[PGHChris]

So I'm really liking the marbled look of black horn, and I really do prefer the square tip or I think it's called butcher, and the points are nice too... basically my first choice is not the rounded edge even though there are a lot out there... I did a quick search, it's hard to not get caught with him around. But I found a couple that I could use some opinions on... not done searching just yet and I still need a kit to go with it... But:

http://www.royalshave.com/p/405-010-00/dovo-la-forme-carbon-steel-full-hollow-straight-razor.html


http://www.royalshave.com/p/405-022-00/dovo-grenadille-stainless-steel-straight-razor.html


http://www.royalshave.com/p/405-051-00/dovo_multiwood_razor.html


http://www.royalshave.com/p/405-132...el-full-hollow-straight-razor-grenadille.html


http://www.royalshave.com/p/405-129-00/puma-straight-razor-genuine-horn-handle-936400.html


http://www.royalshave.com/p/405-082-00/wacker-rasiermesser-red-head-full-hollow-straight-razor.html


http://www.royalshave.com/p/405-076...-jungmeister-buffalo-horn-straight-razor.html


http://www.royalshave.com/p/405-063-00/timor-hamburg-ring-straight-razor-horn-handle-68.html


http://gentlemanshaving.com/damascus-steel-straight-razor-with-buffalo-horn-handle/

The last one is a bit unbelievable... but I'd still like to hear what you all have to say.
Thanks!!

This is just a suggestion, as some of the other members have made also, but starting out with a double-edge safety razor might be the way to go. You can get a Merkur or Edwin Jagger that will last a long time for around $50. I would recommend brush/soap/bowl set, as well as a blade sampler and some pre and aftershave. If you're convinced that he really wants to try wet shaving than this will break him in to the process and and will give him a better chance of not becoming discouraged if he can't get the hang of using a straight right away.

This will be a good step to ease the transition from his current routine to using a straight razor, and considering his "intricate" facial hair it will provide almost as much control and detail as a straight. Obviously, if you think that he wants to jump head first into using a straight then by all means, do what you feel is best. Again, he is lucky to have someone like you. For me (and this is MY personal experience), I think that getting used to the safety razor for a few months greatly helped me transition to the straight. It helped me get used to the process and dialed in my skills better so that I was considerably safer and had a very sure hand when I finally made the switch. A bonus is that I still keep a few safety razors and blades around for travel or when I'm short on time.

 

[Luc]

Ok guys, so I'm checking all your suggestions and the sale threads and I'm still having a little trouble deciphering what is good or bad. Any particular signs or attributes to look for? So far you guys are so helpful thank you!!!

If the razor mentions it, full hollow or half hollow would be my recommendation, round point and a 5/8 or 6/8 should be fine. Other than that, a British, French, American, Japanese or German razor should be fine (anything except Pakistan)

 

[Tranqville]

SRD is a great vendor. I bought a Ralph Aust when I started and it was truly shave ready and I consider it one of my best SR's.The biggest issue with SRD is they are out of stock of most SR's. I lucked out and got my Aust when it was in stk

Superior shave has more stk but the two I bought were not shave ready in my opinion

I also recommend SRD, especially for a beginner, as the razor comes truly shave-ready. They recently stocked some budget Thiers Issards, and I duly ordered one for my brother. I was kind of on the same mission as you are, because I had to buy everything he needs. Definitely get him a 3 inch strop, much easier to use for a beginner.

Most importantly, the razor for a beginner should provide good grip for fingers. Wide blade is preferable, at least 5/8 or better 6/8 round point.

 

[Chaloney]

I've heard the "not shave ready" complaint about straights from every retailer mentioned in this thread(SRD more than any of them). This thread is the ONLY time I've heard it about TSS.

 

[animefarie]

I was more linking for appearance and types and it was convenient to pull all from the same site. Why is it that everybody is so low on stock? I understand for vintage, but for new merchandise it seems a little strange. Perhaps if I'm lucky enough to find the right prices I'll do a combo of the DE and straight. I guess I should start asking for a few suggestions on those too?

 

[Brianskeet]

Considering the numbers I would say that is a very good sign that TSS does outstanding honing. With all the variables involved and how many he has done I would say it is pretty near certain.

 

[animefarie]

http://www.vintagestraightrazor.com...scus-straight-razor-and-luxury-shave-set.html

Opinions? I feel so lost, between details and lack of stock... this price leave me the ability to get a DE too though...

 

[Brianskeet]

I would steer clear of that razor. Damascus can be excellent and very pretty steel or it can be horrible and useless for a straight razor steel. The price makes me feel it is likely poor quality damascus. Here are a few kits from TSS that sound like they will fill your wants well.

https://www.thesuperiorshave.com/in...category&virtuemart_category_id=82&Itemid=517

Having delt with Jarrod (owner of TSS) many times I know he sells good stuff and has integrity. Open up all the pictures. These are all razors that will perform. Then just find the one that looks good to you.

 

[animefarie]

It seems everyone really loves TSS! It's probably my incompetence on the subject but I just don't seem to drawn to what they're offering and I can't afford most of it... I'm very torn in getting something "pretty" looking or something more plain looking as everyone is saying beginner's ruin their first razor.
Is this a good basic option?
http://bobsrazors.com/shop/article_...ojf28J2iEupvlW0nrG35&shop_param=cid=1&aid=94&

 

[Badmedicine]

It seems everyone really loves TSS! It's probably my incompetence on the subject but I just don't seem to drawn to what they're offering and I can't afford most of it... I'm very torn in getting something "pretty" looking or something more plain looking as everyone is saying beginner's ruin their first razor.
Is this a good basic option?
http://bobsrazors.com/shop/article_94/Thistle-Cut-~-Made-In-The-U.S.A.-(TERRIFIC-SHAVER-~-GREAT-RECOGNITION)-5_8.html?sessid=iiZCbMpOz7NLjG1oNXRXRv8Ui6K5kuRIg4bRvg3AHZ50ojf28J2iEupvlW0nrG35&shop_param=cid%3D1%26aid%3D94%26

Hmmm... Might not be too bad. Check out Royal Shave. They have a great selection of trusted-name new straights, from beginner level to exhibition grade, most for very reasonable prices. I have a Thiers-Issard Surgeon's razor that I got from them, and I love it. You will have to have it professionally honed before use though.