I Would Like Your Help Choosing my First Straight Razor

[DSB]

I received a gift certificate to Straight Razor Designs, and view this as the perfect opportunity/excuse to acquire my first straight razor. It doesn't hurt that they are offering free lifetime honing if I buy before December 31. I have never had a straight razor shave, so I want to buy a razor that will give me the best opportunity to see if I enjoy this aspect of our wonderful hobby without breaking the bank. While I fully embrace the old adage that "it is a poor craftsman who blames his tools," I also believe that a quality job requires a quality tool. I will also need to buy a strop, of course, but in this thread I'm primarily interested in your suggestions on acquiring the "best bang for the buck" razor available at SRD. I'm going to insert a poll, and list a few razors I was considering, based on the little I know about suggested "first straights." Please feel free to offer other suggestions not listed, as well.

Thank you for your suggestions!

 

[MetroNome]

Dovo Special/w Strop deal............

 

[Luc]

If I was buying one myself, regardless if it's my first straight or not, I would go with a Bismarck. That is, considering the gift certificate that you have.

If I wouldn't have a gift certificate, I would buy one off BST!

 

[richmondesi]

Budget?

 

[DSB]

Budget?

I would like to spend less than $150 on the razor. My goal is around $100. If I need to spend more for a quality razor, then I'll spend up to $150.

 

[richmondesi]

Personally, I'd rather spend that money on a vintage razor. I've got a Dovo, and it's nice, but I am finding that I prefer vintage razors more. I've got some razors that I would sell you in the $50 range that will shave great, and you can find those kinds of deals on the BST very regularly. That isn't an attempt to sell you anything, BTW. I just say that because $100-150 is a range where the quality is much better in vintage razors than new, IMO. You can find great vintage razor deals that would be "cooler" and probably shave better too, than the ones you listed. SRD gives good pricing on their stuff, and you'd do well to use that on either a razor or soaps, creams, strops, ***, etc...

 

[Left Coast DJ]

After flip-flopping between vintage or new (Dovo, TI, Boker, Revisor, etc.), I decided to go with a Bismarck from SRD. I probably will inevitably ruin the edge at some point while learning. So it's good to know that I can send it to them at any time to have them correct my mistakes for free (+shipping). I went with the Bismarck because, as Henry pointed out in that thread, it's a 6/8, a heavier grind, and has that sweet looking thumb-notch.
Again, I'm a total noobstar with straights. So my criteria may not be what a veteran might look for when shopping for a straight.

I also ordered a Filly strop fron Ken.

 

[professorchaos]

If you didn't have the gift certificate, I'd say get a vintage straight off of the b/s/t forum. Like Paul, I have a strong preference for vintage razors. However, since you have the certificate, you might as well use it. Of the razors you list, the Bismark gets my vote.

 

[Hammer]

If you didn't have the gift certificate, I'd say get a vintage straight off of the b/s/t forum. Like Paul, I have a strong preference for vintage razors. However, since you have the certificate, you might as well use it. Of the razors you list, the Bismark gets my vote.

+1 on the advice from Henry. My first new straight was a Dovo 6/8 Faux Tortise
The wider blade is easier to learn with. I also now prefer the vintage razors to the new ones but I still drool over the Wackers etc. someday..someday...

A 6/8 Bismarck would be an excellent choice to start.

Bruce

 

[richmondesi]

+1 on the advice from Henry. My first new straight was a Dovo 6/8 Faux Tortise
The wider blade is easier to learn with. I also now prefer the vintage razors to the new ones but I still drool over the Wackers etc. someday..someday...

A 6/8 Bismarck would be an excellent choice to start.

Bruce

I'm with you on those Wackers...

There's also a certain NOS razor that I've been drooling over, but I can't make myself pull the trigger.

Not sharing that because I don't want to lead anyone else to it, and missing out on it... Shameful I know

 

[qdaddy]

Do a search for LarryAndro here in the members search. Anything he has is scary stupid sharp and will shave the most daunting beards. You might save yourself a couple hundred bucks and get a top notch shave.

 

[Muirtach]

If you didn't have the gift certificate, I'd say get a vintage straight off of the b/s/t forum. Like Paul, I have a strong preference for vintage razors. However, since you have the certificate, you might as well use it. Of the razors you list, the Bismark gets my vote.

Perhaps, just a random thought, you could offer a trade of the GC for a B/S/T razor. I am sure most of us want a few things that they carry over at SRD to warrant such a trade.

 

[qdaddy]

Genius!!

 

[mark3d]

Best bang for the buck has to be the gold dollar and filly strop combo for $60.

They are top quality practice tools and probably decent enough quality in their own right.

I have nicked the strop about 8 times, and I'm sure you will too - if i had done that with a $100 horse hide strop, I would have cried !

I get increasingly great shaves from the gold dollar. Considering i dropped it once when stropping (fortunately did not wreck the edge, but could have) i highly suggest these practice items before spending the money on what you really want.

.

 

[Bacchus]

No Dovo Special? I'd go for that with the Bismark as a close second

 

[davecmu]

I would take Paul's advice on this one. Use the GC for some gear besides a razor and pick up a good vintage razor from one of the restorers here. There are about a dozen, and you can't really go wrong with any of them, IMHO. Some have already been mentioned, and I'm not going to put anyone up as a preferred seller myself as I have bought from several here.

Dave

 

[luvmysuper]

Nothing useful to add to the debate besides to say I'm happy to see your going forward with it.
I have been thoroughly enjoying the whole process, and I'm sure you will too.

 

[DSB]

Nothing useful to add to the debate besides to say I'm happy to see your going forward with it.
I have been thoroughly enjoying the whole process, and I'm sure you will too.

Thanks for the encouragement. I'm looking forward to my first straight shave. I'll post back here when I make that final razor purchase.