New to straight razors - could use a little advice from the vets

[Fresh Bristles]

So I'm brand new to straight razors, and after reading (for hours) about them and how to chose one I have a pretty good of idea of what specifics I want for my razor.

I know that I want one with a 5/8 width and a rounded, spanish, or french/irish tip (I'm impartial about the tip as long as it's not a strait point); but, I don't know if I should go for a ground hollow or half hollow grind, and I'm not sure if I should get a carbon steel or stainless steel blade.

I am aware of the pros and cons of each of these options but I would like to know what some of the pros think of each of these options and what your personal recommendations would be to a new guy.

Also I am not quite sure where I can get one that is shave ready and for a decent price, so some guidance there would be very appreciated as well.
I would ideally like to get a Dovo or Thiers Issard. Thanks Guys.

 

[Kentos]

Welcome to B&B!

For your first razor all you need to worry about is if it is shave ready. Imagine you are a 15 year old kid who just took his permit test and is now asking for advice on which car to get, a coupe, 4 door or a rag top. When you first start it won't matter much what you use, although the idea of staying away from the spike is a good one .

I would spend the least amount if money in the beginning because you will likely need to send out the razor for a rehone, and it is easier to send out a 30.00 razor to one of us for a free hone than sending out a 180.00 dollar one.

The BST is a great place to grab a vintage one, as well as Whippeddog. If you are dead set on a new shiny one, I would get a TI.

 

[Legion]

The above is good advice. Haunt the BST, and grab something shave ready from one of the regulars. The brand is not as important as the hand honing it.

Aim to spend ~$50 or $60 if your first razor is second hand. Any more than that, you are paying for fancy.

 

[williamsmall2010]

I'm in the same boat! Dumb question: what is BST?

 

[CharlieFoxtrot]

I'm in the same boat! Dumb question: what is BST?

Buy/Sell/Trade

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/forumdisplay.php/11-Shaving-Mall-Buy-Sell-Trade

 

[gash]

Whether or not you go with Whipped Dog for the razor, you should get one of Whipped Dog's strop kits (the poor man's strop kit). That will let you keep the razor sharp for quite a while.

 

[boogieman_]

Whether or not you go with Whipped Dog for the razor, you should get one of Whipped Dog's strop kits (the poor man's strop kit). That will let you keep the razor sharp for quite a while.

I totally agree, don't get an expensive strop, mine has several nicks after three times. I didn't have the motion down and gave it several nicks at the top and bottom of the strop. It's still useable but I would have been sick if it happened to a really nice heirloom one or something.
I can't give much advice other than that, I am still a noob with straights.

 

[jpcwon]

I totally agree, don't get an expensive strop, mine has several nicks after three times. I didn't have the motion down and gave it several nicks at the top and bottom of the strop. It's still useable but I would have been sick if it happened to a really nice heirloom one or something.
I can't give much advice other than that, I am still a noob with straights.

I agree with getting a cheap strop to start. No matter how hard I tried not to, I still nicked my Big Daddy strop as I was learning; it's really easy to do!!

 

[Seraphim]

Don't forget the Hobbyist section of the Marketplace.

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/forumdisplay.php/143-Hobbyist-Vendor-Classifieds