Thread: Suggestions

Hello, I'm planning to get my first straight razor & accessories. I already visited the wiki articles to familiarize myself with the basics.
However I have several questions:

1) I am planning to get this razor: DOVO Rasiermesser 5/8 Zoll rostfrei Edelstahl -

What would be the bad side of this razor? It is stainless steel and made in Germany so obviously very high quality? What other features should I pay attention to?

2) Is there any special attention that needs to be paid when buying strops? Is it ok to buy a regular one from ebay?

3) I'm not planning to get a hone right with the razor itself, I'll probably get it in a month or two, Will I be fine with just stropping?


Thanks in advance, and please correct me if I'm wrong

Hi,

Welcome to SRP! You came to the right place for answers. I only have about a year's experience, but I will share what I know.

There are not a lot of bad sides to a Dovo. I purchased a Dovo for my first razor and it has been a great shaver, and is really easy to maintain. The only only thing that you might want think about, is purchasing your first razor from a place that hones the razor to shave readiness before they ship it out. A lot of places will send the razor out with the factory edge, and in most cases, it will not give you the best first impression. Mind you, the first shave is always interesting(it's really not that bad, just usually some nerves involved. At least for me), but you will have a better fighting chance if the razor is sharp(it becomes a wrestling match if the razor isn't sharp). From what I hear, StraightRazorDesigns puts a great edge on their razors before they're shipped out.

There is nothing wrong with starting out with a less expensive strop, however, I would again purchase one from a reputable retailer. I am always leery of anything generic from eBay.

As far as getting by for a month or two on just stropping, it is definately possible; although, success in maintaining a razor for that long sometimes lessens with beginner mistakes. Again, check out StraightRazorDesigns. They also provide a honing service if you get in to trouble.

Above all, enjoy! This is a wonderful hobby that will reward you on a daily basis if you so choose, but it does take time and experience. Hang in there, and ask as many questions as you want. This forum is filled to the brim with great info and advice.

I'd be leery of a strop from eBay. I got a cheap one from there... Never even considered letting my blades touch it. I use an inexpensive one from SRD. I know whipped dog has a "poor mans strop kit" that might be in line with what you want. As for a hone, you won't need it if the blade is sold to you shave ready. If it is "factory shave ready" I'd be leery as most say they are and can be used to shave, they just won't be comfortable. So if it is shave ready you'll be just fine with a strop for a while.

Any good lump of leather will make a strop.

Since your new to straights you can use pretty much anything. The best and cheapest option is scour the local charity shops for wide leather belts.

I have an expensive strop, a few belts, and a leather workers offcut. In all honesty none of them make the shave any different. They all work. The only difference is how the physical act of stropping actually feels. High end leather has a better feeling to it, like your stropping on velvet, Whereas the cheaper stuff requires more effort and might not be smooth feeling at all, It might even feel sticky or give no resistance at all.


You will damage your first strop. So don't get a good one to start with. Spend the money instead on a touch up hone like a swatty. And get a good strop when you know your not going to slip and ruin it.

In retrospect the cheap ebay stops tend to be very poor. You have no idea what your buying, and when it comes it may be little more than a decoration due to poor thin leather that stretches, Or worse PU leather that doesn't do anything at all! If your ebaying for it get a 3inch by 18 inch 3-5mm leather offcut, Punch a hole in 1 end and make a para-cord loop so you can tether it.

Something like this in 3" should make 3 strops.

3.8 - 4mm ENGLISH NATURAL VEG TAN LEATHER BELT BLANK 54" (137cm) CHOOSE WIDTH | eBay

Originally Posted by heyjude

Hello, I'm planning to get my first straight razor & accessories. I already visited the wiki articles to familiarize myself with the basics.
However I have several questions:

1) I am planning to get this razor: DOVO Rasiermesser 5/8 Zoll rostfrei Edelstahl -

What would be the bad side of this razor? It is stainless steel and made in Germany so obviously very high quality? What other features should I pay attention to?

2) Is there any special attention that needs to be paid when buying strops? Is it ok to buy a regular one from ebay?

3) I'm not planning to get a hone right with the razor itself, I'll probably get it in a month or two, Will I be fine with just stropping?


Thanks in advance, and please correct me if I'm wrong

The razor you have in mind looks nice. Stainless steel is more rust resistant than carbon steel so I think that's a good thing. My advice on strops is to get a 3" strop and start out with an inexpensive one, because if you are like me you are going to nick it while learning how to use it. The 3" strop is wider than the blade, which allows you to strop in a back and forth motion rather than having to learn the more difficult X pattern. Get a razor that is shave ready to begin with so you will know what a well-honed razor feels like and won't need to have it sharpened right away. You will be fine with just stropping until it needs sharpening again. It's hard to say how long you can go without refreshing or honing a blade, it seems to vary by the individual.

While you're waiting, watch a lot of YouTube videos. You can find one on every facet of straight razor shaving.

The main advice is to approach this with the attitude of having fun. This is a historic way of shaving, which is the best way once you master the technique.

Come by often and ask questions as they arise.

I might stay away from a razor with stainless steel scales, but thats JMO. They are brushed so they won't show finger prints or water spots too much, but in the end they might tend to get a little annoying to care for. Also, the weight from the metal scales might throw you off a bit when starting out, which could lead to some poor shaves and little satisfaction with your purchase. Again, this is JMO but if it were me, I would not get the all stainless "Best Class" but rather get a "Best Quality" with plastic or wood scales, take the $30-40 or so bucks you'll save and put that towards getting a good strop. Either way you can't go wrong as the Dovo is a good starting razor for most people.

Like the others have said it's not so much about the razor when starting out as it is the edge! Be sure that edge is professionally honed and shave ready to ensure the best first time experience

P.S. - Check the classifieds here as well. There have been some good deals popping up lately!

Welcome to SRP,

The downside of that razor is the scales, they are way too heavy for the blade, making it very unbalanced with poor ergonomics.
I don't know if the razor would come with the edge from the factory - if so, you should very seriously consider having it honed.

I also agree with getting a strop of well known quality rather than gambling on ebay - the strop is very important, get one with both leather and canvas components.

Thanks again for wonderful responses.

The reason I wanna start using straight razor is that it lasts a lifetime. I really don't care about some little weight as i'll get used to it anyway eventually I chose stainless steel because it is just better than regular steel. I'm switching to Straight razors hoping they would last forever. Im living in germany thats why i do not wanna buy on straightrazordesigns.
Ill just make sure this one is honed

Also i have some uncertanties regarding straight razors, hones and strops:

Could someone tell me the characteristics of straight razors, hones and strops? Like what attributes do i have to pay attention? (For example if i had to buy a computer, i would pay attention to memory, processor, etc. What are the equivalents when it comes to straight razor and relevant equipment?

P.S. Also will those heavy scales that make the razor unbalanced pose a risk of damage to the razor itself? If it is just a comfort thing I sincerely dont care as i'll get used to it gradually.
I truly appreciate all your responses

Well, the problem is that you've already made up your mind, so does it really matter what characteristics you should pay attention to?

To me the balance is critical in using a razor - I have the stainless steel blade dovo with the real mother of pearl scales which are way too heavy for that razor, and thus I've used it twice over the 3-4 years I've had it. You will certainly be able to shave despite the very odd ergonomics, but plastic or wood will be just as durable and not cause your hand unnecessary strain.

But, it really is up to you. As far as stainless steel being 'better' than regular it depends what 'better' means. For example the stainless steel on your forks and spoons is completely unsuitable for a razor blade - it can not take an edge sharp enough to shave.

However, the blade on the razor you are planning to buy is not made of stainless steel, but from high carbon steel.

This should at least clarify some misunderstandings.

Originally Posted by gugi

Well, the problem is that you've already made up your mind, so does it really matter what characteristics you should pay attention to?

To me the balance is critical in using a razor - I have the stainless steel blade dovo with the real mother of pearl scales which are way too heavy for that razor, and thus I've used it twice over the 3-4 years I've had it. You will certainly be able to shave despite the very odd ergonomics, but plastic or wood will be just as durable and not cause your hand unnecessary strain.

But, it really is up to you. As far as stainless steel being 'better' than regular it depends what 'better' means. For example the stainless steel on your forks and spoons is completely unsuitable for a razor blade - it can not take an edge sharp enough to shave.

However, the blade on the razor you are planning to buy is not made of stainless steel, but from high carbon steel.

This should at least clarify some misunderstandings.

You mean this blade? DOVO Rasiermesser 5/8 Zoll rostfrei Edelstahl -

It actually says "Klinge aus Edelstahl" which basically means "stainless steel blade"

But If I am taking proper care of it will it last a lifetime?


Also, since a lot of people recommended against buying in ebay I decided not to deal there.
However can someone comment on this:
http://www.amazon.de/InstrumenteNrw-...=Streichriemen