thank you for the advice everyone.
i went with bcrdukes recommendation and went to REVOLUCION. wow what a great place. i've never been a shop like that before.
they talked me down from an edwin jagger and sold me a merkur solingen instead, because my dad's old one was a long handle, which the solingen is. prices seemed fair compared to the few places online i looked at and at house of knives.
next i have to go with what nabs mentioned and get blades from
http://www.tryablade.com/blade ... any specifics i should look at? REVOLUCION threw in a 10 pak of platnium stainless merkur supers.
but i was unable to decide upon a shaving soap for him. they told me to think about it some more and come back. i did look on
http://www.baxterofcalifornia.com/products/shave/kits/ but again i don't know which to choose. i don't want to talk to my dad because he will know what's up lol... recommendations appreciated again.