Thread: My First Post : New Member

Hello, my name is Robert. I had began shaving at an early age of 9 with the help of my father and his double edge razor for a couple of years and then went on to various cartridge systems for till about 4 years ago when I had started back up with a Merkur Classic Gold Hefty which I had purchased through Classic Shaving. I have seriously looking into moving up to Straight Razor shaving and I am pretty set on the Dovo brand of razor because of their reputation but there is still a couple of things I am curious about. Is there different tiers of quality steel blade, example, best quality, prima, ect? I am also considering on using an extra hollow, to be more precise, the one made of the mammoth tusk, would that a little on the extreme side or should I be ok with using this? If not, what would be some recommendations. I am really looking to purchase one razor and making it my permanent razor, so I am wanting quality and not wanting to have to upgrade in the future. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Any and all replies are welcome and respected, Thank you.

Welcome to SRP! My, oh, my have you been shaving forever or what? That's one sexy Dovo you are looking at. I guess you are making a serious commitment here buying a $600 razor, but if that's what makes you happy, go for it. Personally, I would start off with a vintage razor from the Classifieds. Best of luck to you!

G'day and welcome to SRP Robert.

Wow that was an early start, I was fluffy till about 15…no need of a razor till then.

I personally own and use a Dovo 6/8 Bismarch in my daily rotation. Its a new razor and I love it. I use this on one day and a vintage Gotta 6/8 Extra Hollow on alternate days. I love both razors very much. The Bismarch is full ground and is not as flexible as the extra full hollow of the Gotta but I think they both shave exceptionally well, no real practical difference as far as I can tell.

Now one razor is vintage and one is brand new. The new one cost much much more than the vintage one (especially as I was given the Gotta) However they both shave exceptionally well and both look great in my opinion.

What I guess Im trying to say is the Dovo Mammoth is an expensive razor. And quite an outlay initially. You will get just as good a shave from either a cheaper entry level Dovo or a vintage. Also when I started I had a 5/8 and now I much prefer a 6/8. The gentleman that gave me the Gotta didn't like it because of the flexibility of the blade, the extra full hollow didn't suit him but I love it. Maybe trying a few different cheaper razors would be the way to go first, especially as many people give up using the straight razor after finding it's not for them.

Many people will follow this post I'm sure saying the Dovo Mammoth is a poor quality razor for the money, however all I can say is I think the Dovo Bismarch is a quality razor. It's all down to what you like and of course your budget.

If I was starting again I would get either a cheap Dovo and get is sharpened or buy a vintage used razor that has been honed. My first straight was a sight unseen razor from Whipped Dog Straight Razor Shaving Equipment and although I don't use it much now it was a very good start into the world of straights. It also cost $41 which is exceptionally good for a used vintage razor. Ok not a pretty razor but a good start.

There are many vendors and the classified section on here Is a good place to look also.

I hope that helped.

Enjoy

You won't have any problem spending money, even with a decent razor, rather than an unnecessarily expensive one. You need a hone and a strop too. Welcome to the forum.

Well, two razors are a good way to start. Like said before, go with a vintage from Whipped Dog. Not pretty, but shaves quite well. If looks are more important than shaveability then go the pretty look. It all comes down to how well it shaves. A couple of my best razors are vintage, no name and uglier than sin on it's first day. A good soap/cream, a brush and a cheap strop (unless you are a genius you will cut and nick the hell out of your first strop), again, Whipped Dog. Read the wikis, watch the videos, go one step at a time, at your age you've got a lifetime to perfect the craft. Slow start is sure finish. Read and watch on how to re fresh your razor, get a good barbers hone, like a Swaty and learn how to use it. A year from now start thinking about learning to hone from bevel up. AND revise your bio so it shows where you are at so SRP members near you can chime in and maybe give you some one on one sessions. Also that will let any mentors in your area know you are there and might offer to hone a razor or two for you if the ones you start with aren't up to snuff. And above all, enjoy the journey.

Hi Robert, welcome to the forum.

There's not a lot I can add here. I agree with the answers above.
It's your money and if you want to buy the Dovo mammoth, you should.
I was looking at it aswell, but then I read that the blade won't be better than a less expensive Dovo.
I'm not sure if I can point out some adds in the classified section, so I'm not going to do it, but IMO it would be more interesting spending the money on one or more razors from our classifieds.

Anyway, whatever you decide to buy, good luck with it and enjoy

Hi and welcome. As said most of the expense of the razor is how pretty it is. A cheaper but quality razor will shave the same and still last a couple of life times. Good luck and have fun

Welcome, Rob!

You've come to the right place.

You are going to need to bank on having a minimum of two razors to begin with. And, at least on of these, you should have professionally honed so you know what a professionally honed edge feels like. I got my first here on the SRP classifieds, it wasn't shave ready, had to send that one out. Got made fun of for only having one razor(brotherly teasing, but rightfuly deserved). A brother SRPer *sent* me one out of pity that was shave ready so I could shave. I started perusing the antique stores(they have my info now) and the gig was up. I had RAD(Razor Acquisition Disorder). Razors later, it has subsided a little, but rears its ugly head once in a while. Anyway, I love shaving with classic pieces of history. Many people here will tell you how they have a handful of razors dating back to the 1810's that they routinely use and look quite handsome. I know I do.

It is far too easy to mess up the edge in the beginning of the learning curve. For one, learning to strop properly can be problematic and one can roll the edge quite easily.

The more you start to research and delve into this "sport", the farther you'll be from your beginning point and this, your first post. You will look back fondly at this post and you questions.

Read everything you can here. There's a library Straight Razor Place Library - Straight Razor Place Library and tons of videos/how tos/ and generally helpful, friendly members here.

I'd imagine you can't go wrong with the Dovo, btw. Just make sure to get it pro-honed if it doesn't come that way. IIRC, Straight Razor Design(Lynne Abrams) sells and, again, IIRC, they come pro-honed with a coupon for a free honing. Lynne Abrams is the father of SRP.

Kind Regards,

Siguy

my first razor was a dovo best ,from SRD, honed by Lynn, and not expensive. so you will know what a sharp smooth razor is without spending a lot, plus another free honing comes with it . then when you decide to stick with it (if you do ,its all worth it in spades!)look around the forum,the classifieds are a great place to look and you have some of the members who like Lynn, are some very talented men with a set of hones (gssixgun)for an example. and the help and advice will really enhance your experience welcome aboard and prepare to receive all kinds of addictions! have fun tc

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

You won't have any problem spending money, even with a decent razor, rather than an unnecessarily expensive one. You need a hone and a strop too...

A hone, a strop?? Yes, and I once thought that I needed just *a* razor. And maybe just a shaving soap and a brush. Ah, my naivety!