Newbie all the way from Ireland.. Just saying hi

Hi

I was pointed in the the direction of this site for info on straights etc and been trolling through loads. ( all very helpful indeed)

Well a few months back I wanted to try the traditional straight razor but didn't want to waste the money on buying something half decent only to get fed up of nicking myself so bought a cheap Shavette ( I know they are totally different) but I wanted to see if I had the patience for that type of shaving.

So happily to say I love it so I am about to buy a Dovo straight, 5/8 carbon steel razor.. Not top of the line but it's a start I guess.

Never stropped before ( not put off by it) but it's the honing part that scares me a bit. Hence why I didn't buy more expensive blade just case I mess it up....

Anyways I'll have questions no doubt so hope to talk to you all soon

Hey and welcome to the forum. Please be sure that the razor you purchase comes shave ready. Basically that means professionally honed by the vendor and not a factory edge which can be sadly lacking. Also do not strop a shave ready razor before the first use. This avoids the probability of harming the edge due to improper stropping and will let you know what a good edge actually feels like.

Stropping properly take a bit of practice and you can use a butter knife to practice with. Once you get comfortable with that try the razor.

Honing is a whole other area of learning. As you will be starting with a new razor you may be able to get by with a finishing hone for touch ups for quite a while.

Hope you enjoy the straight razor experience as much as you have the shavette.

Bob

Thanks Bob, I assume if it's not shave ready it would only need a strop session?

Hi and welcome.

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Originally Posted by Rossafumi

I assume if it's not shave ready it would only need a strop session?

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No, It will probably need to be honed by someone whom knows what he is doing. Edges are not usually shave ready from the factory.

More here: The Shave ready razor.

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Originally Posted by Otto

Hi and welcome.



No, It will probably need to be honed by someone whom knows what he is doing. Edges are not usually shave ready from the factory.

More here: The Shave ready razor.

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Well that sucks cos I can't find anywhere in Ireland that does it:hmmm:

There may be a member here that is near you or to whom you can send it without terrible expense.

Good first razor choice. I hope you get some help here on the honing front.

I don't know about Ireland but there are quite a few honers in the UK. Try the Strop Shop - although I know Neil is indisposed right now. There's also The Invisible Edge - Steve supplies Dovo razors and hones them before sending them out.

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Originally Posted by UKRob

I don't know about Ireland but there are quite a few honers in the UK. Try the Strop Shop - although I know Neil is indisposed right now. There's also The Invisible Edge - Steve supplies Dovo razors and hones them before sending them out.

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Thanks I'll check it out cos I have bouGht just yet c, was going to today

Hi and welcome. If more people posted before buying there would be a lot more happy beginners out there. Too many are stung by dodgy razors or a razor that isn't shave ready. Good luck and any questions feel free to ask

The entry level Dovo will shave just fine once it's honed. Be mindful of the scales though. I hear they can be a bit on the fragile side. Good luck!

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Originally Posted by Rossafumi

Thanks I'll check it out cos I have bouGht just yet c, was going to today

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I mentioned shave ready because I was hoping you had not bought the razor yet and might not be aware of what it meant. There is a vendor in Ireland, I think they are in Ireland, Fine Shaving Products for a Smoother Closer Shave - Shaving.ie and you may want to contact them and see if they professionally hone their straights before sending them out.

Bob

Hello,and welcome to the SRP family!! :chapeau

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Originally Posted by BobH

I mentioned shave ready because I was hoping you had not bought the razor yet and might not be aware of what it meant. There is a vendor in Ireland, I think they are in Ireland, Fine Shaving Products for a Smoother Closer Shave - Shaving.ie and you may want to contact them and see if they professionally hone their straights before sending them out.

Bob

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Funny enough Bob that's exactly where I was buying from, I have mailed them (chris) just waiting on a reply. My guess is though he doesn't... If I can't get them honed here, I might have to consider the artist club ss feather

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Originally Posted by Rossafumi

Funny enough Bob that's exactly where I was buying from, I have mailed them (chris) just waiting on a reply. My guess is though he doesn't... If I can't get them honed here, I might have to consider the artist club ss feather

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I have bought from them before, not a straight though, and found them very prompt in shipping and quick to reply to queries. I hope they do hone them before sending them out.

There are a couple of members on here from Ireland and hopefully they can chime in too with some help for you. Good luck to you.

Bob

Rasoio a mano libera 5/8 manico in resina bianca
It IS shave ready and it's in EU, mailing is not such expensive probably and you don't have to mess with customs.

Just because there is no one local to you who hones doesnt mean that you cant send the razor further afield for honing etc, as has been said there are more than a few people in the uk who offer honing services.

On general use and with the assumption your stropping technique is ok how often do you need to hone???

If both your shaving and your stropping techniques are OK, the Dovo that you are looking for could last 20-40 shaves.
It is entry level and is made with rather mild steel, Thiers Issard, Boker or other higher level Dovos could last longer.

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Originally Posted by Rossafumi

Well that sucks cos I can't find anywhere in Ireland that does it:hmmm:

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Hi there and welcome, don't know anyone in NI but you could try Steve at Invisible Edge or Neil at The Strop Shop both here in England.
As others have said please don't try your first shave without your new straight being honed by a professional to a shave ready condition. Once you get it back from honing DO NOT strop it before your first shave. This will allow you to have a benchmark to let you know how a properly prepared edge feels, as you may damage the edge by incorrectly stropping the blade, which most of us have when first starting out.

Just sent you a PM about my add in Trade section. Alternatively, have you seen Steve's Tornblom selection? They are rather nice. Mr Miller also has a 9/16 sized razor NOS.
(Steve = invisible edge)

Thanks for the advice guys, might give Steve a call Tuesday, see if it's worth going down this route :banghead: which I really want to

Damien I pm'd ya back there