Thread: Top 5 Straight Razors...

Hello everyone...
I am 'very new' to the world of cut throat/straight razors.
As a newby, I will probably have at least a few questions I'm sure.
Here are my first couple of questions;

1) In your opinions, what are the best 'starter' straight razors for a newby like myself?
2) And afterwards, when I hopefully become more proficient with a straight razor, what would be the best brand of straight razor to serve me the rest of my days?

Please advise...
Thanks!
-Outlaw-

The 'best razor' for a starter is shave-ready as well as budget-ready. Examine how much you have to spend and then take a look at the offerings. The only razors to avoid are on the 'do not buy' list found in the wiki.

Since admitting that you're new, I recommend something from the classfieds, whipped dog, or one of the vendors here on the site. You're guaranteed to meet both of the aforementioned requisites for a good beginner razor. Avoid buying your first razor from either ebay or antique stores until you've discovered for yourself what a good shave is. The wiki also gives specific example of what to look for on either ebay or antique stores. while you're learning to shave, bone up or print out the material and begin studying what to look for in the wild.

Go with a "shave ready" razor from the classified's and stay away from Ebay. Other than that, it's whatever your budget will allow. If you have to have a new razor, I would recommend Straight Razor Designs. You can get your razor shave ready adn a free honing (that's worth $20 + shipping) if you buy from there. The best part is that it is honed by the Master Honemeister himself...Lynn Abrams.

Outlaw,

For new production razors, I would recommend starting with the Dovo Best, in 5/8 or 6/8. They are well priced, shave extremely well and are very easy to maintain.

Razor Acquisition Disorder precludes the concept of one (1) razor for the rest of your life !!

However, if I was forced to choose only one razor from my rotation, it would be the TI C135 5/8 full-hollow

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

I can recommend Dovo and Geisen & Forthoff Timor. I use and enjoy both brands. Check for a quality used razor from the classifieds here though.


Mick

I bought a 6/8 Dovo Special (imitation tortoise) from Straight Razor Designs and really like it. It allowed me to get a quality, new razor at a modest price and the free honing (as mentioned by Shooter) will come in handy.

Hi there Outlaw,

First off, welcome to SRP!! A great group of folks here...can answer perty much any question you can come up with.
Dont do like I did, I bought some sure nuff some cheap sh*t, so dont waste your money......
I finally bought a vintage shave ready crown and sword, a really great shaver!!! Well worth the money, and still gotr it for half the price of a new one, and it has history to it....
the second one I got was another vintage shave ready, a James Barber Sheffield.....another really great shaver...
For now that is all I have in my rotation....but they are great shavers, and I got two that have some history (one dates to the early 1900's and the other back in the 1800's) and both cost less than allot of new one's.
Just my 2 cent's...most of all take it slow and have fun with it....and listen to the experts here, they are great!!!!!

Kent

Welcome, Outlaw (from a grizzled veteran of a few months!). I too started with a Dovo 5/8" from SRD, and it's a great starter razor. +1 on the classifieds! There are some killer deals there all the time!

By the way, I like your avatar: "The Dude abides." Great flick.

Originally Posted by ElChe

I bought a 6/8 Dovo Special (imitation tortoise) from Straight Razor Designs and really like it. It allowed me to get a quality, new razor at a modest price and the free honing (as mentioned by Shooter) will come in handy.

+1 on the Dovo 6/8 noted here. It was my second. My first was a Dovo Astrale 5/8, I think full hollow ground.

I was too ham-handed to handle the full-hollow very well, and was about to give it up when I tried the 6/8, which seems to me maybe to be half-hollow. Anyhow, the slightly larger size, weight, etc. made it easier for me to "let the razor do the work."

Now, 4 months in, I'm enjoying my full hollow 5/8s, but not without appreciating the others.

The Dovo 6/8 Special is a solid starter razor. I also like that SRD sells it hand-honed, with a certificate for a free re-honing included. Such a deal!

Welcome to SRP.

Originally Posted by Outlaw

1) In your opinions, what are the best 'starter' straight razors for a newby like myself?

The Wiki has a good answer to that:
Frequently Asked Questions - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Originally Posted by Outlaw

2) And afterwards, when I hopefully become more proficient with a straight razor, what would be the best brand of straight razor to serve me the rest of my days?

Well, you could use the same razor. Or read the SOTD for inspiration...
Or just buy a Livi.