Thread: a little piece of advice from shaving masters

Pony-up from the Dovo and get an Aust. Pretty shure a 5/8 width from them is total 11/16. They look lovely to me and I am a strictly vintage guy. I have heard nothing but good of them. If someone HAS to have new, I would recommend this. If you buy from SRD, you have some excellent backup. That in it'self means a lot as getting started.
Otherwise, there are PILES of Friodurs on Ebay from Japan!

And +1 on the 3" strop. I never could get the x stroke down on a 2.5" strop and a 3" made all the difference.

I love TI razors. But I started with a Dovo Astral 5/8 and 3" strop kit from SRD. It has served me well. Reliable shaver and good strop.

Getting there I swear!
I can't be grateful enough about all the help I have been getting here so far!
I'm about to order my first set probably this week (I'm down to the DOVO Bismarck and the TI Le Dandy).
Questions left before my first shave are (because I've done a looooooot of reading):
A) If I'm getting a shave ready razor from either way SRD or Classic Edge, should I strop on my first shave(and take the risk of rolling the edge) or just get a feel of a shave ready razor?
B)I see videos from a lot of sources (and also read "shaving made easy") where people use their dominant hand the whole time, however, I keep reading on this forum to use left hand for the left cheek and right hand for the right cheek. What are the benefits of using both hands?

Again, thanks a thousand times for all this help! You guys rock!

If you buy from SRD I know you will get a truly shave ready razor and it will not require stropping. It is often recommended, that you don't strop before your first shave. That eliminates the chance of doing something to the edge prior to your first shave. You can then compare later shaves to how that first one, with a known good edge, felt. I can't speak for classic edge, but if it is shave ready the same should apply.
As to your second question. Shaving with 2 hands comes together quicker than you might expect. I'm sure other will chime in but I find it much more difficult to use only 1 hand. It is a completely different shave from left to right that way -- hold and angles are more challenging, actually everything is backwards on one side of the face.

I shaved with one hand for the first nine months or so. I was never able to reach all the nooks and crannies until I gave my other hand a try. It took about a month to get comfortable using my non dominant hand. Now, I would not attempt a one hand shave unless I injured my hand some way.

in the beginning, I started with 2 passes both WTG, first pass I used both hands, the second dominate hand only. Best of both worlds. This way I could choose which way I wanted to shave after few weeks, needless to say I use both hands now. Anyway I find it kind of fun and challenging.

+1 on just wiping off the blade and shaving with it for your first shave.

It was hard for me to used my non-dominant (left) hand, but after a few shaves, it is getting easier. Advantages are A) I seem to have a lighter, better, touch with my left, and B) I can get better angles and blade orientation for some area of my face, versus using my right hand and going through awkward contortions with my right (and nicking some times).

I started out with 2 razors, a 5/8 and a 7/8. I instantly preferred the wider blade. It made it easier for me to see what angle I was using. I've been using these for 3 years now, and never use the 5/8 any more. For some reason, the only time I cut myself is with a narrow razor. My strongest recommendation is not about blade width, but strop. Absolutely get a 3" wide strop. And don't break the bank, you're going to mess it up most likely. Have fun.

You're choice of razor was identical to the one that I got for Christmas from my wife. I did choose the one I wanted however.

I hope things are going well for you.