Thread: Questions I'd like to ask before getting my first straight razor

I use both cartridge and safety razor to shave, and now hoping to get a Dovo straight razor.

You won't go wrong wit this brand, but depending on the cost of the razor it may not be shave ready when you get it and you may have to hone it first. The quality of the blade will probably be good (I don't think Dovo put out rubbish), but depending on what you get, the scales could be cheap plastic. I got a Dov Prima with Ebony scales shat was shave ready out of the box. At $230 it probably cost me $70-$80 more than a basic model I would have to hone first, but I subsidized my purchase with a gift card I got from my job.

some article said disposable blades pull up whiskers a little before cut

Cartridge razors with multiple blades my work this way but a single blade straight razor wouldn't since it can only cut.

Really wish to know so that I can decide which model I want to try.

The main thing about a razor is the steel and the thing that influences that the most is the carbon content ( though manganese, silicon and chromium are also added in ). Silver steel (which is a fairly common tool steel) is used a lot in razors and seems to be pretty good. The difference between silver steel and carbon steel is that silver steel is carbon steel with a defined carbon content between 0.95-1.25%.

And it's been like a myth to me that many say straight razors manufactured some years ago perform better than those produced today, even they came from the same brand. I wonder what makes the difference. The materials has changed? The way they forge them changed?

It probably is a myth. The forging methods used are still the same, just more modern equipment (electric air blowers instead of hand bellows) and they may now have grinders made from composites instead of just stone. One thing that may have changed is the standards. For example silver steel is defined by the British standards document BS1407. Steel that meets this standard is also called Sheffied Silver Steel.

There may have been a different standard used (or a standard may not have existed) back in the day. My guess is that modern methods of forging are superior to those used in the 1800s. Standards for things like razors, surgical tools etc are much higher than they once were.

Now you can probably buy cheap razors from China that are inferior to things made 100 years ago but a modern straight razor from a reputable manufacturer (think Dovo or Theirs-Isssard) will be as good, and probably better, than anything that has come before it (these manufacturers have long histories and reputations to uphold).