Whats a good starter straight

**pizzaguy** · 06-14-2008, 04:32 PM

Just looking into it any thoughts ?? Its nagging at me to try it

**AverageJoe** · 06-14-2008, 05:21 PM

Yep---Dovo 5/8 Tortoise!!! Great looking, high-quality, perfect size, respected manufacturer, affordable price. I mentioned in another thread that I'll keep mine even if I decide that straights aren't for me---it looks that good.

**Limey** · 06-14-2008, 05:49 PM

Originally Posted by AverageJoe

Dovo 5/8 Tortoise

good one or one you can get for a good deal and shave ready from a member on this site. Are you looking for something in particular?

**pizzaguy** · 06-14-2008, 05:59 PM

Originally Posted by Limey

good one or one you can get for a good deal and shave ready from a member on this site. Are you looking for something in particular?

No just wanted something not to high to start with

**AustinC9** · 06-14-2008, 06:07 PM

Originally Posted by AverageJoe

Yep---Dovo 5/8 Tortoise!!! Great looking, high-quality, perfect size, respected manufacturer, affordable price. I mentioned in another thread that I'll keep mine even if I decide that straights aren't for me---it looks that good.

+1

**msandoval858** · 06-14-2008, 06:12 PM

Any of the entry level Dovo razors, certainly the Tortoise 5/8 included.

I think if you are starting out fresh, getting a new Dovo is the way to go. Takes the guess work out of trying to get a good vintage, getting it honed, etc. Dovo's don't come perfectly shave ready out of the box, but they are close and are ready to go with very minimal extra work.

**pizzaguy** · 06-14-2008, 06:19 PM

Originally Posted by msandoval858

Any of the entry level Dovo razors, certainly the Tortoise 5/8 included.

I think if you are starting out fresh, getting a new Dovo is the way to go. Takes the guess work out of trying to get a good vintage, getting it honed, etc. Dovo's don't come perfectly shave ready out of the box, but they are close and are ready to go with very minimal extra work.

stainless or carbon

**msandoval858** · 06-14-2008, 06:50 PM

Originally Posted by pizzaguy

stainless or carbon

I recommend carbon. You are going to need to learn how to hone and maintain your edge, carbon makes that a little easier... at least it did for me.

**Mottern Man** · 06-14-2008, 06:53 PM

Brand new, pre honed, Dovo 5/8 Round Point, Carbon Steel. You don't really need the Tortoise scaled one but it sure dose look pretty.

**Thebigspendur** · 06-15-2008, 01:35 PM

The best entry razor is a vintage one you buy from someone here that comes shave ready. it will be cheap and if you damage it while learning its no big deal.

**ricardo9505** · 07-06-2012, 05:27 PM

feather ss with disposable blades. gives a superb shave but a delicate hand is required. like $110. I bought my brother one for his birthday. Also my barber uses a cheap parker sr1 that uses double edge blades broken in half. It's simple, cheap at $18 and great for newbies that are testing the waters of straight razors.

**shakin_jake** · 07-08-2012, 02:33 AM

if you're lookin to save money, take a look at larry's kit http://www.whippeddog.com/ the sight unseen deal for $55...comes with a shave ready straight, economy leather strop, a few balsa slats covered in abrasives for touching up the edge. Cheap and cheerful. Or, as others mentioned, you could buy an economically priced vintager straight from a a member off our BST forum...but then you would need to buy a strop and keeping with the low budget theme, and I've never used one but others here swear by them, try star shaving dot com ...something in their $25 line up. Star offers them in 2.5 and 3". I'd go with the narrower strop so as to force yourself to learn the x stroke. Star also sells abrasives which gets back to Larry's kit for $55...it has all of that

Best,

Jake
Reddick Fla.

**Doc226** · 07-08-2012, 02:44 AM

^+1

**Legion** · 07-08-2012, 03:13 AM

Originally Posted by Thebigspendur

The best entry razor is a vintage one you buy from someone here that comes shave ready. it will be cheap and if you damage it while learning its no big deal.

+1.

There are many good deals to be had on BST from our good members... If you are quick!

**Slash McCoy** · 07-08-2012, 07:45 AM

+1 on the whippeddog kit. Everything you need except mug, soap, and brush. In fact, he sells brushes too. For the price of an entry level Dovo Best, you can get the whipped dog sight unseen deal, plus a badger brush. The razor might not be so pretty but it will not have active rust, it will probably be from a respected brand, it will be in all respects ready to shave with, and it will probably be a very classy old razor to have, hold, and use. For that price, you don't get to pick, but if you have a preference (spike, wedge, black or ivory colored or whatever scales, etc) he will try to match the razor to the buyer. At this point you don't yet have any preferences, anyway. This is about the cheapest way to get into the game.

Two out of two entry level Dovo razors I have owned had serious issues and I simply cannot recommend them. The better Dovos are okay. Good reviews on the Prima Klang, the Bismarck, and others.

The factory edge on nearly all razors is not an edge that will give you a satisfying shave. So consider the cost of honing along with the price of the razor. If it is sold as "shave ready" then you are trusting the seller and YMMV on that.

**Zamonium** · 07-09-2012, 07:20 AM

+1 on whippeddog!

I just got it to see if straight shaving is for me (yes it is). Very affordable to get the tools you need to start out with a straight.

After three weeks, my blade is not shave ready any more. But I don't feel bad about that, because even though my straight from Larry is my baby, it is an inexpensive baby. Now I get to use it to try honing, which makes me excited as well! I would be much, much more intimidated going into this if I had paid twice as much (or more!) for my starting equipment.

All in all, a new entry-level straight razor may be worth your money. But a kit from Larry at whippeddog will be worth your money.

**Slash McCoy** · 07-09-2012, 08:04 PM

A vintage razor, unless you damage it, is worth just as much or more, when/if you decide to sell it. You can seldom say that about a new razor.

**drathgeb** · 07-09-2012, 10:43 PM

I started with the 5/8 Dovo Best re-branded Col Conk. I was really happy with that razor and it cost around $80. That being said, I have purchased several vintage razors from the BST at half the price and IMO they shaved better than the Dovo. I also built my own strop and quickly ruined it. I have not purchased anything from whippeddog but from what I hear you will be pleased as he covers all of these bases.

**Str8 Shaver** · 07-10-2012, 12:33 AM

+1 Dovo

**deezyrocks** · 07-15-2012, 06:11 PM

Yeah Larry at whippeddog will hook you up. Not only are you getting a good vintage razor at a cheap price but he's great to deal with and your package will come with a wealth of information on how to care for/use the products. Great if you have very little idea what you're supposed to be doing(like me).