Thread: Suggestions

Thanks to all of you for useful comments, I have already watched a great deal of videos t know I should dry my blade after shaving

Also, from what I've seen buying razors on ebay is risky but when it comes to strops and gritstones it is ok? As far as i know gritstones aren't usually affected by build quality...

In, case my razor is not shave ready, how much would it cost for me to get it done and what type of shops would offer this service?

P.S. Why do people say things like, "my first razor"?
Is there any rational reason to get a new one assuming I didn't damage it during stropping and honing?

I am planning to use the razor I posted the details earlier forever, is there any reason I cannot do that? Does it being half-hollow matter? Assuming I do not break it

There's not reason, with care, that a decent razor cannot last forever and be your only razor. There are, however, quite a number of people here that have a large number of razors for many reasons (variety, collections, sentimental reasons)

I have a number of razors and appreciate them for the fact that each one shaves differently than the others. I would get bored with just one or two razors, knowing exactly how they perform day in and day out. I enjoy the challenge of recalling how each razor performed the last time they came up in rotation and what I can try to improve it's shaving qualities. If the razor doesn't work out it gets sold and another interesting one takes it's place.

I'd suggest planning on owning at least two, and being that you live where most of our new ones come from, you should be able to buy two great ones for decent prices and have a wide selection. I have both stainless and carbon steel blades and care for them the same.

It looks like you are going for one of the more expensive Dovo's to start, which is fine, but if you stepped down a bit and bought a Dovo with less adornment and plainer scales or another Solingen razor you may be able to afford two and therefore have the ability to sample the slightly different feels of different sizes and styles. Just a thought.

That's really good to hear, I really thought there was an actual reason to get more razors rather than for collecting or variety,

I'm planning to use this razor for some time till I get reasonably good at it,

And I am really hoping the razor being made by DOVO is enough sign of its quality.
Because the one I'm considering to buy is 90ish EUROs whereas there are 200 EURO models,

What is the point? What makes those expensive ones better? Is it just aesthetics?
I hope it is not the steel quality

Originally Posted by heyjude

That's really good to hear, I really thought there was an actual reason to get more razors rather than for collecting or variety,

I'm planning to use this razor for some time till I get reasonably good at it,

And I am really hoping the razor being made by DOVO is enough sign of its quality.
Because the one I'm considering to buy is 90ish EUROs whereas there are 200 EURO models,

What is the point? What makes those expensive ones better? Is it just aesthetics?
I hope it is not the steel quality

It's generally the aesthetics...engraving/etching on the blade, gold wash and scale material and design. Size also figures in with 6/8 being more expensive (generally) than 5/8, and so on. Sometimes stainless costs more than carbon steel. Also, some blade profile variations can cause price difference, but (unless someone knows better) Dovo uses the same grade of steel for all their razors.

The only thing I'd add is that you should be sure it is shave ready (honed by a reputable honemeister).

Hope you enjoy!

I probably wouldn't waste money just for aesthetics

I'll have it sharpened if it is not and try my first shave soon.

Thanks to all of you for your insight

Hello again,

I would like to clear certain ambiguities:

1) I have read in several places and on the package of the razor I have bought recently that for storage razors should be oiled with mineral oil, is this necessary? Provided that I dry my razor after every use?
2) In the future when I buy a gritstone, what properties should It have? like grit size, etc.?
What factors should I pay attention to and how much would it cost me?

Thanks in advance

1. I would suggest getting a silicon sleeve for each of your razors. Straight Razor Designs and The Superior Shave sell these and they work great for storage. I oil the hinge every once in a while, but I never coat the blades in oil. I have been storing my razors in these sleeves for a year, and my razors have not seen a spot of rust.
2. I would look into Naniwa stones or Norton stones. I prefer Naniwa and they come in a combination stone of 3k/8k, and the Norton comes in a combination stone of 4k/8k. Both hones are great to maintain your edge. I actually started with a coticule and still prefer that edge to any other, but really the matter of honing, what hones to buy, etc. is completely subjective. However, the Naniwa and Norton stones are very consistent and would do just fine at maintaining your razors edge. Of course, chances are you venture further down the rabbit hole. Just know that it is important for you to master a hone like the 3/8k or 4/8k (or whatever hone you decide on) before exploring additional hones.

If you haven't purchased the strop yet I would avoid the one you have been looking at for only one reason. It's less than 2" wide. It looks alright otherwise but the narrow width will make you work harder in the beginning to get good even edge coverage. Better if you can to look for a 2 1/2 or 3" wide strop.