Thread: Beginner purchase (suggestions and criticism needed):

Based on my experience recently with my new 6/8 Dovo (vs my 5/8 Aust), I would suggest 6/8. The slightly greater heft feels a touch more comfortable to me. Coincidentally, I just got my first cake of Mitchell's yesterday and shaved (cold water) with it today. It didn't present any lather problems. I used soft water from the start, since hard water apparently causes some people problems. I doubt you'd really perceive much in the way of big differences between brushes that are all at the same price point. You'll use it and it will be just fine to you. My own inclination was a buy a 3 inch strop from the start (Latigo, from SRP). I figured I'd simply be careful and try not to cut it. Except for one instance of very minor nicking, all has gone well.

Originally Posted by Headcrowny

Based on my experience recently with my new 6/8 Dovo (vs my 5/8 Aust), I would suggest 6/8. The slightly greater heft feels a touch more comfortable to me. Coincidentally, I just got my first cake of Mitchell's yesterday and shaved (cold water) with it today. It didn't present any lather problems. I used soft water from the start, since hard water apparently causes some people problems. I doubt you'd really perceive much in the way of big differences between brushes that are all at the same price point. You'll use it and it will be just fine to you. My own inclination was a buy a 3 inch strop from the start (Latigo, from SRP). I figured I'd simply be careful and try not to cut it. Except for one instance of very minor nicking, all has gone well.

6/8 are also easier to keep flat on your strop

Be sure to visit the stroptober thread...lots of good info and videos. It's good to hear what stropping sounds like in addition to watching someone strop

I knew the differences in the material, high carbon vs stainless and from what I have read I prefer the high carbon.

I had not considered the shoulder / shoulderless design as much tho, as I have mostly looked for a good brand midle end razor which aesthetics please me. I need to think little more about this subject and read little more about it. The shoulderless design could have some advantages I like, who knows. Also the point of weight you brought up is a good one, again something to consider.

I am starting to lean for the 6/8" size due to the strop / weight points brought up.

you'll want to try a 7/8 next

Haha who knows, maybe ten years from now I will be trying a sharpened canoo paddle.

Great list but when I started it was a Dovo 5/8 best from Ebay, a English bridal 3" wide with wool 2nd from SRD after a Jemico from bud k, a Van Der Hagen kit (soap boar brush and soap bowl) quickly followed by tweezerman pure badger brush from Amazon. And then king 220/1k and Chinese 12k from Ebay then Norton 4k/8k from woodcraft and then naniwa ss 1k and 12k from SRD. Now I got a roo 3" wide from SRD on order.

Since you obviously enjoy the research, here is a link to an online straight razor magazine that has a lot of product reviews.

Straight Razor Magazine

Not sure how independent their reviews really are, but it is good reading.

Darren

Originally Posted by TaipeiJake

Since you obviously enjoy the research, here is a link to an online straight razor magazine that has a lot of product reviews.

Straight Razor Magazine

Not sure how independent their reviews really are, but it is good reading.

Darren

Thank you for the link.

I found Review: Straight Razor Designs - The full strop line to be rather informative. It gave a nice understanding of the different qualitys of the strops, and like I said my biggest uncertainties were the strop and the brush.

Bookmarked the the site.

Now, as I have no prior experience of stropping I would like to ask; How does the different draws feel? The English bridle leather and the Horsehide leather seem to give medium to medium/high draw. What are the cons of the higher draw? Is it possible for an inexperienced stropper to make the razor skip on these particular leathers due to bad technique?

My first was a DOVO 5/8th, came with a complete kit, am very happy with it!

Don't get hooked up on the shoulder to much or the size too much. I say just browse and browse and then you will see the one that you have to have and thats the one to get as long as it is still in your price range. The shoulder on my pearlex only gets in the way when I am not paying attention when I'm honing and it doesn't do any harm it just lets me know to either watch the tv or hone but not both at the same time.

You've got a good inventory of supplies and equipment now, I'd say concentrate on taking your time, and working on technique in all areas, including face prep and lathering, stropping and shaving. As you get more used to using a SR, you'll undoubtedly acquire an additional razor and can try some options in size/material/make then. So far, oddly, I have had more luck with a 5/8 R. Aust when compared with an almost identical(in every regard except size and material) 6/8 R. Aust; however, I think it's a matter of not adjusting my angle to fit the blade.

I've been shaving with straights now for 1 1/2 years now. I remember when I first got a new razor, I'd get so exited to try it. I would make the mistake of running straight to the bathroom after opening the box, slapping a fast & crappy lather on my face then shaving with it. If you don't take the time to prep & lather properly, It won't matter how good the razor is, your experience won't be kind. Razors that I thought weren't honed good enough, I now realize are fine, I was just to exited and careless. Good luck to you.