searching and finding that first straight

Have you seen Glen's other thread?

http://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/gemstar-customs-dfs-dovo-300.59809/
It's like he posted it just for you...

I joke of course. It's a great razor.

 

I can understand you want something fancy!
Just do yourself a favor and wait with 7 or 8/8, and avoid near wedge and 1/4 hollow.

If it looks as if the razor used to be bigger, it probably was.
If the razor has a frown or if the nose is honed away, it will become at least as small as the smallest point.
If the back has a smile, the edge should have one.

Honewear on the back is not a problem for me.
Oxidation as in a patina is fine if you can live with it, if it's really rust avoid it.

Bigger is more expensive, and a good etch is also more desirable and costs more.

A few brands are hyped and overpriced.

But in Europe you can find cheap, good razors all the time
A Bismarck is a good shave

 

If you can find a vintage one better yet. Glen Mercurio, ggsixgun, has recommended the modern one in the past. He also honed my first batch of straight razors and very helpful with advice. The best edges out there.

If you really think you will stick with straight razors, I would get a very good vintage or modern straight and skip the cheap ones. Never buy a Pakistani razor. It will not keep an edge.

Filarmonicas are great, but avoid the 13's from the last days of the company when the sister was running it. I bought a NOS one from a Japanese seller on ebay and it would not take an edge or shave at all.

My favorite modern razors are Thier Issard. I bought my last new one from Fendrihan. You will have to have it honed. French razors, old and new are terriftic. My favorites are the Japanese razors, superb steel and design and long-lasting edge. You can get them NOS for a reasonable price and used ones for a better price. I bought many from Aframestokyo out of Hawaii. Takeshi Aoki is very helpful and is an excellent honemeister.

 

This. Buy this razor.

Or I will.

 

That's a new one on me. So many razor makers and razors and so little time.

 

A minty Dovo razor sold by Glen? Are our wires crossed?

 

One thing I learned very early on with eBay is do not decide to buy with only looking at an item on your phone. You can’t get as good of a look for hidden damage like cracks on a small screen. Plus pm a trusted source for advice, if you post on the open forum prices tend to skyrocket on you. Happy hunting.

 

Plus the others listed are pretty nice to and shave ready.

 

Very sound advice. Many hyped razors, but, the hyped one's are very good, and you pay for that name. I've tried my hand at a Paki razor, just to see if the hate is warranted. It is, they are junk.

I've never tried a Filarmonica, because it seems everyone is willing to pay a premium. I do own many Japanese razors, and can say that they are built really well, and they use some of the best steel out there.

 

The scales threw me off. I couldn't see the detail on the tang. "J. Dolfen Schmied"?

 

The paki razor was my first mistake. It shaved perfect for about an inch then tugged for a half inch then refused to go farther. The only good part I was able to use the scales on a restore.

 

It's a great deal, as well and Glen's edges are the best. I started with one of his.

 

I’ve always heard glens were top notch, so there’s no way to go wrong with the dovo he is selling.

 

He's right @PloDrr . I'm even considering it

 

What i mean with hyped, there are plenty of solingen knives made in a different name. Charlex, saphir are amoungst my best razors but they are not hyped.
Some brands are local hypes and are cheap elsewhere.

Paki razors are a bad gamble, chinese ones like gold dollar can work out pretty well.