Straight Razor My Very First

[frank85]

I will like to thank you all in advance but I need some serious help in selecting my first straight razor... a little hand holding through the process, a romantic walk on the beach if you'd like... :lol:

Even after reading many of the threads here I am still clueless and I will like your help, tips, suggestions, guidance, ideas and moral support... I apologize in advance for my ignorance; I will get all soon I promise...

I will like to make a purchase in mid October so that I may have it in time for my birthday... and I have an approved budget of 400 smackers with a signed letter from the wife :biggrin:

so here it is:
1. I want a straight razor that will last for years to come.
2. I am a head shaver and I will love to use my straight razor when I shave my head, do I need a particular size blade???
3. Carbon Steel Straight or Stainless Steel Straight??? (I have no clue)
4. I want it shave ready, so its safe to say that I will have to get it pre-honed
5. What other tools are required to maintain my blade...


I have seen some of the prices on custom razors and it really does not fit into my budget at this time. :frown:

Thanks again,

[crankymoose]

with proper care most any straight will last you a lifetime

can't help you on the head shaving

carbon or stainless doesn't really matter, stainless holds an edge a little longer and is a little harder to hone but being new you won't know any difference

yes get a pre honed razor probably the most important thing, I recommend saving some money and buying a used model off the b/s/t forums until you are sure it is for you
you will need a strop and something to touch it up for starters Tony Miller here (http://shop.thewellshavedgentleman.com/main.sc) has apprectice strops for about $30. and 4 sided paddles for $57, you won't need the paddle for touch ups for at least a few weeks if not longer but the strop you will need right away, later you always buy stones for honing but this will get you started cheap and is very easy for a new straight user to maintain there straights with proper care for several months before needing to see a hone or sending them out to be re-sharpened.

If you do go new a cheap TI or Dovo each have a nice model for about $100 nothing fancy but great shavers.

read the B&B guide to straights if you haven't already and there is now most of Lynn Abrams video posted on you tube, but the DVD is a great reference as its about 3 hours long and covers everything

good luck

[frank85]

cranky what do you think about:

DV011 - The Ebony 5/8" Stainless Steel Straight Razor.
DV020 - The Dovo Perlex, 5/8" Stainless Steel Straight Razor

both from vintage blades...

[frank85]

I noticed that carbon steel razors are also less expensive...

[Lucius]

I'd recommend not spending a ton on your first one in case you decide it's not for you.

Size is pretty much personal preference but I'd recommend a 6/8. You can let more lather build up on the blade before you need to clean it than you can on a 5/8. That's why I like larger razors better. Less wiping/washing and drying, more shaving. Shoot, if you feel like it, go for a 7/8.

Stainless steel razors require less work to care for. My carbons will build up uh, not rust, but moisture related "crap" if I'm not careful (I've since taken to oiling them after every use) while my stainless I can just dry off with a towel and not worry about. In the end, like just about everything else straight razor, it comes down to preference.

Edit: Oh, and I'd also recommend not spending a ton on your first strop either. I basically got the Tony Miller top of the line one because that's all he had left in stock and I was impatient. I have since sliced it up bad. It still functions but I've disfigured it pretty good. My worst nicks in it have actually come most recently, not in the beginning.

[kestrel]

frank

I just got a Double Arrow. Paid $15 delivered, and was really impressed. It only needed about 20 laps on the pasted strop to make it shave ready. You could pay alot more and do worse.

Best Regards

Graham

[frank85]

frank

I just got a Double Arrow. Paid $15 delivered, and was really impressed. It only needed about 20 laps on the pasted strop to make it shave ready. You could pay alot more and do worse.

Best Regards

Graham

Graham,
Where can I find a Double Arrow?

thanks again :biggrin:

[Seraphim]

cranky what do you think about:

DV011 - The Ebony 5/8" Stainless Steel Straight Razor.
DV020 - The Dovo Perlex, 5/8" Stainless Steel Straight Razor

both from vintage blades...

The Dovo Renaissance is a 6/8 stainless. Mine kicks some butt!:001_smile.

Check out Joels review, it is pretty much spot-on to my experience. I also did a review of it myself over at SRP.

Dealing with Vintage Blades is great!

[crankymoose]

I got a couple Dovo stainless they shave nice but they required a little more work to get the edge in right, carbon blades are a little cheaper. Remember though "stainless" is just that "stain-less" not stain proof you still need to take care of them if you live in a high humid are or plan on storing them in a humid area like your bathroom.

Two of the cheaper Dovo's I got that both are great shavers is the Pearlex 5/8" and Tortoise special 6/8" also in carbon, they both amaze me they shave as good as they do. Vintage blades is great to deal with he also has some NOS new old stock razors that are good starters, give Jim there a call.

[kestrel]

Graham,
Where can I find a Double Arrow?

thanks again :biggrin:

I got mine on Ebay from a seller called Stamps222. He shipped to Canada from Michigan in two weeks for a total price of roughly $15. The razor is a 6/8ths full hollow round point, without any visible flaws in the grinding. As I said, mine shaved pretty much out of the package, but I suspect ymmv on that. The one flaw is that the scales are shoddy, although on mine at least, they fit properly and don't seem about to fall apart. Kenrupp, our fellow B&Ber, uses the DA as the razor in his starter kit that includes razor and strop (and I think a brush) for something like $60. Maybe shoot him a PM for more details.


Best Regards

Graham