Thread: Some advice for the new guy

Hello everyone at the SRP!

I just started shaving with a Straight Razor and I'm loving every minute of it!
The comments I get when I say I use a SR are amazing. I've got "Be careful with the jugular" "That's so cool" and even "That's pretty bad a**" Which I have to say that I do feel quite good about this :-D

I've been doing it for a week now and it completely changed the way I shave; I used to use the Gillette Fusion (3 blades) and I hated shaving, I used to shave about once a week and sometimes twice if I had a special occasion. Right now I can't wait to wake up in the morning and shave. It usually took me about 5 to 10 minutes to shave and now because I'm fairly new it's taking me about 30 minutes or so but I'm getting better every day. I even learned that my lather was completely wrong and too wet.

Right now I'm using a Shavette with Derby blades although I've read that there are better ones out there.
If everything goes right and I get used to the Straight Razor (and some faster shaving times) I will get myself a kit for my birthday in a couple of months.

Now, I know it's a big commitment as it is a big spend at first but I think it's worth it. So here's the list of things that I know I have to get and some that I want to.

First of all there's the straight razor itself (which I'll come back to this later)
I know I need a strop and some paste. ( Do I also need a sharpening stone?)
I want to replace my brush which I have a boar one right now and it's been great for a while but I think a Badger one would be a nice improvement.
I want to try the Tabac shaving soap as I've read that the lather is amazing (Currently using a Crabtree and Evelyn)

Last but not least, and this is where my question start, the razor itself.
I've been doing quite a lot of research but the main things that I've learned are:
1.- Thiers Issard have better blades
2.- Dovo is the best bang for the buck

So, for a new guy, which one would you recommend? I have my eye on one of each, they are both 5/8 in size, singing/hollow blades and they are both around the same price range (both under $200)
The main difference is that the Dovo is the INOX model having a stainless steel blade while TI is carbon steel, I believe.

So my question for you is that, which one of these two is going to be a better "introductory" blade?

I would really appreciate the feedback and any advice.

Thanking you in advance.

E.


Ps. Here's a picture of my current equipment.

Welcome to SRP.

Mostly the choice of razor comes down to appearance. Find one that is in your budget, looks good, and most of all comes shave ready.

Be aware that having your pasted strop and your daily strop separate is a good idea. If you want to learn to maintain your razor completely for yourself a synthetic finishing stone is a good first step. I would suggest that you hold off learning to hone for about 6 months to get a good handle on learning the other skills.

Jonathan

Thank you Jonathan!

I know I still have a LOT to learn about this... I still have a few months before I buy these items, and I've got some good recommendations about the Strop and paste.

As for the blades, either one that I had in mind say that they are pre-sharpened but not Pre-honed... And none of the TI say that are shave-ready whereas the Dovo ones do, so I guess I would have to either take it somewhere to give it a good first honing or be careful and do it myself.
The question is more on the brand/material side of things, as I've read that TI is better quality but the Dovo Stainless steel is easier to maintain.
I love the looks of both, and the price difference is less than $10 so it wouldn't make a real difference.

Thank you again

Ezra.

Personally I would recommend a plain Dovo best quality to start (out of the two options you mentioned). It may or may not be true that TIs have better steel ( I think the point is arguable) but as a beginner you will not be in a position to appreciate that difference (if it in fact exists) for quite some time, so do yourself and your wallet a favour initially and go for good quality at a reasonable price.

Good luck!

James.

Hi James, thank you for your answer...
Now, the second question that rises is the material... Carbon steel (which I believe the Dovo Best quality is) or the stainless steel?

Enuf2 Thank you for your answers as well!!

Cheers.

E.

I think either is fine. Stainless (I think Dovo stamp some of them INOX) might be a better choice if you are worried about oxidation, though of course stainless can rust too if you are not careful. But with proper care carbon steel will remain stain-free and give you good shaves for life.

James.

Also consider Revisor razors. They've been getting a lot of love latley and have just as good of a reputation as Dovo or TI. Check them out here: 6/8
Take a look over here:http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...ior-razor.html and over here:http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...or-razors.html to see what other members have had to say about their Revisors. I'm waiting on mine to get here sometime next week and can't wait.

I wouldn't necessarily replace your omega boar with a badger, more so add a badger to the mix to compliment it. Boars are really nice for soap, whereas badgers are really nice for creams, not that you can't use both for either.

I have a new TI and a new dovo, neither of which I like better than any of my various vintage blades. And yes, both new ones were honed by a honemeister. I would recommend a good vintage from the classifieds or whipped dog.

I have both stainless and carbon razors. I haven't been able to notice any difference between them when it comes to the shave. Pick the one you like. s for the paste I would not bother with this for a while.

The standard razors will shave just as well as the expensive ones. Carbon or stainless the care of them is the same. Paste isn't necessary straight away and a bit of balsa will serve to start with much cheaper than a second strop. As for the brush that just for a bit of luxury and boar brush are good for soaps due to stiffness and the way they hold a bit more water.