Me Too Iguanna Needs Your Help!

[Jack-in-the-Green]

O.K. I'm directly ripping off DSB's idea of setting up a poll to get your opinion on what I should do for my first straight. If I can sell enough stuff on the B/S/T to finance it, I'd like to take advantage of one of the razor/strop deals at SRD while they are on sale this month. I've pretty much narrowed it down to the 6/8 Red Bismarck, which seems to get high marks everywhere I look, or the 5/8 Red Bone Dovo, which I haven't found any reviews of. Anyone tried it? The 6/8 Carbon Steel Pearlex is also a possibility, but then I would just have to get a Rooney 3/1 in Pearlex to go with it.

On the other hand, I'm also considering having the Wolstenholm Original Pipe razor that I asked about in this thread restored. The only thing is, although I've heard this is a very nice razor, I'm told that it can't be restored to quite what it once was. Also, taking this option right now means a longer wait before I can start shaving with a straight.

So, what would you do, and why?

 

[chainfire]

The scales on the pipe razor are just too cool not to restore.

That and if you don't like it, I can't imagine it'd be hard to resell fast on BST for the cost of the razor and restore - no matter what.

 

[Jack-in-the-Green]

Oh, I'll definitely have it restored at some point, I'm just debating about whether to do it now, or get a new razor that I can use right away, and have this one restored at some point in the future.

 

[fidjit]

Vintage DE's.....
Vintage ( Restored ) Brushes....
Vintage ( Restored ) Straight....

Need I say more ???

 

[wedwards]

If you are looking to buy new, I would rule out the bismarck for a newbie simply on the basis that it has no jimps - when you start with a straight, you really need something to hold onto, so you can focus on technique rather then just trying to keep the razor from slipping out of your hands.

Having said that, the bismarck is a very nice razor, however if I were you starting out and looking at those razors, I would definately go with the dovo red bone.

 

[Jack-in-the-Green]

Vintage DE's.....
Vintage ( Restored ) Brushes....
Vintage ( Restored ) Straight....

Need I say more ???

I have to admit. She does look pretty sweet with this brush.

If you are looking to buy new, I would rule out the bismarck for a newbie simply on the basis that it has no jimps - when you start with a straight, you really need something to hold onto, so you can focus on technique rather then just trying to keep the razor from slipping out of your hands.

Having said that, the bismarck is a very nice razor, however if I were you starting out and looking at those razors, I would definately go with the dovo red bone.

Thanks for pointing that out. I never would have thought of it. What are jimps?

 

[tg16]

Buy a razor here on the BST and send the Wostenholm off for restoration. You need another razor.

 

[JPM]

I've got the 5/8" Red Bone and the 6/8" Perlex. It is a toss up for which blade I prefer. I am pretty new to straight shaving so I do not detect a significant difference in the quality of the shave. However, while they look nice, I find the perlex scales to be very flimsy while the red bone feels very substantial. If I were to pick between the two, I would go with the red bone.

 

[r0ckrat]

Buy a razor here on the BST and send the Wostenholm off for restoration. You need another razor.

I'll throw in a second for this one. Even if the Pipe isn't what it once was, it'll still hold it's own as one of the best shavers. In the meantime, you can pick up a second great vintage blade for $40-$80 from the BST that will be another great performer, be shave ready, and save you some coin from aa brand new DOVO.

 

[Muirtach]

My hands down go-to razor is a pipe medium hollow ground. Never a bad shave. If you are not dead set on getting a new razor and taking advantage of the SRP deal I would pick up a starter razor from the BST and send the pipe out to get restored for about the same total cost.

 

[Bacchus]

buy a razor here on the bst and send the wostenholm off for restoration. You need another razor.

+1

 

[leighton]

Buy a razor here on the BST and send the Wostenholm off for restoration. You need another razor.

Ask an enabler an opinion....

But I completely agree....

 

[OldSchoolYoungin]

I like the way he said "you need"

 

[wedwards]

Thanks for pointing that out. I never would have thought of it. What are jimps?

Jimps are the little grooves where you put your thumb and fingers when you hold the razor for shaving - basically the jimps keep the razor from slipping when it is between your fingers, which as a newbie, is a good thing (sorry I am dosed up on cold and flu meds, so thats the best explanation I can come up with right now). There should be something in the wiki or at srp to do with the anatomy of a razor and it will show you all the names for all the bits.

 

[Luc]

Vintage! Vintage! Vintage! Vintage! Vintage! Vintage! Vintage!

 

[Klarion]

I've come up with a conclusion: buy two.

One for learning off of. And, since you'll be using high angles and improper stropping in the beginning, you're sure to beat up the edge on your first razor much more quickly than normal. So when you've got that one out for a re-honing, you'll have a nice, shave ready blade to keep you company until your original starter is back in your hands.

 

[JPM]

I've come up with a conclusion: buy two.

One for learning off of. And, since you'll be using high angles and improper stropping in the beginning, you're sure to beat up the edge on your first razor much more quickly than normal. So when you've got that one out for a re-honing, you'll have a nice, shave ready blade to keep you company until your original starter is back in your hands.

I'm not sure if you were joking, but I did just that. I have one I'm using and when it gets dull I'll send it to be honed and then break out my "fresh" blade.

 

[Muirtach]

I'm not sure if you were joking, but I did just that. I have one I'm using and when it gets dull I'll send it to be honed and then break out my "fresh" blade.

That is a very solid plan.

 

[Klarion]

See? Soon everyone will be doing it.

 

[leighton]

Its the optimal plan for the person jumping in with both feet and the cash to do it. But its not the best plan for someone who wants to just try out a straight, or is short on cash.

The best starting kit would be to have two razors and a premium strop plus practice strop. Tony Miller + practice or Ruprazor Paladin/other one + filly would be my recommendations.

But the lowest starting cost is going to be BST razor + filly or leather belt or something similar.