Hi there, i just want to give it a try to straight razor shaving and don't know much about it, i saw some vids on youtube and read some stuff but need some advices on a good razor to start, budget is under 100 but if it is under 150 is still good over 150 is a no for me right now. Thanks in advance.
Just want to try a straight razor
- Thread starter jccalabria
- Start date
For a good "stick your toe in the water" straight pick up a sight unseen from Whipped Dog
http://www.whippeddog.com/straightrazors/view/sight-unseen-deal
http://www.whippeddog.com/straightrazors/view/sight-unseen-deal
Hey man, give it a try!! I bet you enjoy it! 
+1 on Whippeddog...
My first razor was a Dovo "Best Quality" which IMO is a great entry-level razor. They can be had from any number of vendors for under $80.00, and Dovo is a reputable manufacurer. Here's a pic of mine:
You should also try to get one that comes pre-honed so you can be sure it's shave ready. I made the mistake of getting my Dovo from Amazon, where they do not hone the razors. They say that they come shave-ready from Dovo, but often times that's not the case. Or, if you do get one straight from Dovo, I or any number of members would be happy to hone it for you....
Let us know how you make out, and welcome to the hobby!!
+1 on Whippeddog...
My first razor was a Dovo "Best Quality" which IMO is a great entry-level razor. They can be had from any number of vendors for under $80.00, and Dovo is a reputable manufacurer. Here's a pic of mine:
You should also try to get one that comes pre-honed so you can be sure it's shave ready. I made the mistake of getting my Dovo from Amazon, where they do not hone the razors. They say that they come shave-ready from Dovo, but often times that's not the case. Or, if you do get one straight from Dovo, I or any number of members would be happy to hone it for you....
Let us know how you make out, and welcome to the hobby!!
+1. Everything you'll need for well under $100.
- Thread starter
- #5
i don't know but that razors from whipped dog don't look reliable to me, are you sure this is a good option? that dovo best quality looks nice and have a good price too.
+1,000 on Whipped Dog sight-unseen!
I said 1,000 because you are about to get a flood of responses saying that whipped dog is one of the best ways to get started. You can always piece together all the pieces to come with the WD kit, but it will be more expensive. Plus, if you get a new straight, except from some places, you will have to get it honed. Moreover, you get you a nice strop and slice it up while learning and end up needing to buy another gets expensive.
Don't worry about the razor's looks, just know that that edge is RIGHT! Shave with it before trying to strop it, then you can work on stropping technique.
I did it and it was a great start and now have a nicer strop after dicing up the WD. You can always get a new straight!
I said 1,000 because you are about to get a flood of responses saying that whipped dog is one of the best ways to get started. You can always piece together all the pieces to come with the WD kit, but it will be more expensive. Plus, if you get a new straight, except from some places, you will have to get it honed. Moreover, you get you a nice strop and slice it up while learning and end up needing to buy another gets expensive.
Don't worry about the razor's looks, just know that that edge is RIGHT! Shave with it before trying to strop it, then you can work on stropping technique.
I did it and it was a great start and now have a nicer strop after dicing up the WD. You can always get a new straight!
No the guys are right; whippeddog is def a good option. I just posted my own experience with the Best Quality as I do believe it's a good starter razor. In hindsight though, I kinda wish I did go through Whippeddog. I ended up screwing up the BQ trying to learn how to hone, and ended up having to send it out anyway (total noobness
). Plus, I nicked up my strop learning (which you WILL do too, trust me!!), so whippeddog may be the way to go....People do swear by them...
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+1 on the Whipped Dog.
Although I haven't used them, I have seen too many good posts.
regards,
Bil
Although I haven't used them, I have seen too many good posts.
regards,
Bil
I'll elaborate a little. A whipped dog straight may not be pretty all the time but it will be shave ready. You'll also get a strop and a balsa strop imbedded with CrOx and FeOx. The balsa will keep you shave ready. The strop is sacrificial, since ultimately you'll most likely butcher it. The razor doesn't matter at this point, only the edge matters. Almost a year later, after a few breaks, I'm now starting to develop preferences for razor types, grinds and edge finishes.
I guess people may hate me for saying this but I didn't have the best experience with whipeddogg. I just didn't find the razor to be sharp enough even though I honed it just as instructed before every shave. I'm gonna give it one more go before I look for another razor.
But that's just me...I have yet to hear anyone else say anything negative about those razors so it may just be bad luck with the one I got. Admittedly my beard is think and it's impossible for me to get a BBS.
But that's just me...I have yet to hear anyone else say anything negative about those razors so it may just be bad luck with the one I got. Admittedly my beard is think and it's impossible for me to get a BBS.
I'm sure that everyone on this sight will tell you that if you're not happy with a whipped dog straight, Larry will make it right and send you a new one or refund your money! Just contact him, he is a great guy. I've been extremely happy with my whipped dog straight. (except for the one inch gash I put on my chin last night!!) My razor that I got from Larry was actually pretty nice and once I get a few more razors, I'm going to use it to practice restoration and honing.
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SRAD is another side effect once it kicks in...
SRAD=Straight Razor Addiction
SRAD=Straight Razor Addiction
yep, the whipped dog may not be pretty, but right now, for you, it should be all about the function. this isn't the easiest skill to learn. Larry's set up is by far the cheapest, easiest route to learning it on quality equipment. once you know enough to not ruin the experience and equipment, is when you can look at upgrading to pretty. you will trash the strop. you may trash the edge on the blade learning to strop. you will eventually want a more disposable blade to learn to hone on perhaps. I've still got my whipped dog, and I did everything I just described above with it. it's also my first rescale and pin job.
and new isn't always better. I have 8 straights, all vintage. there's something to be said about the craftsmanship of yesteryear. for me, there's pleasure in knowing that I have something that's lasted this long, and still works as designed.
you can be into a straight set up that'll last you a year, plus soaps and a brush for about $60, all in. that's hard to beat.
just my opinion.
and new isn't always better. I have 8 straights, all vintage. there's something to be said about the craftsmanship of yesteryear. for me, there's pleasure in knowing that I have something that's lasted this long, and still works as designed.
you can be into a straight set up that'll last you a year, plus soaps and a brush for about $60, all in. that's hard to beat.
just my opinion.
If you get the Dovo "Best Quality" (the cheapest reliable new straight razor), you'll also need a leather strop, and shaving brush, and shaving soap.
That will almost surely come to over $100 -- but you could do it for $150, if you were careful.
The whippeddog.com kits -- razor, strop kit, etc -- are a really good deal. Straight-razor shaving is not for everyone.
. Charles
That will almost surely come to over $100 -- but you could do it for $150, if you were careful.
The whippeddog.com kits -- razor, strop kit, etc -- are a really good deal. Straight-razor shaving is not for everyone.
. Charles
Yeah honestly like I said I've only heard good things about him. But I don't like being a bother until I'm sure that it's the blade not me. So if it was because I myself may have dulled it I wouldn't return it.
