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Haven't been able to find opinions on this one, so forgive me if this has already been discussed. My question is: how many razors should a newb get to start shaving with? Should I get 2 different razors to see how different razors feel? I'm looking at a Dovo Special 5/8 and at TI Gnome 5/8.
Thanks.
Jeff
I think that would be great if you can afford it. I would focus on, in order:
strop
first razor
barber hone
paddle strop
second razor
Norton honing stone
Having two razors would be great because sometimes one just gets screwed up.
I imagine you'll get many opinions though, from you only need one, to you only need 16.
Definitely agree with AFD. I would also suggest that you attempt to try different sizes and types of points, like square versus round and 6/8 versus 5/8, to find the ones you prefer, as it is likely to help you finding the ones you enjoy.
Two is a good number to start with.
With the razors you've selected, you've got both a full and 1/2 hollow, which should give you a sense of what type of grind you like.
My suggestion is that you buy a couple of shave-ready razors from a board member - you'll likely be able to get two nice razors for the same price you would pay for one of the razors you're thinking of.
I'd listen to Alan if I were you. He's been a seasoned shaver when I was a wet-behind-the-ears newb. Eventually you'll end up with a rotation of 10 or so, but for now get a strop, get a razor, get something to touch it up with (I've had better results with pasted paddles than with barber hones though), another shave ready razor and then a Norton plus a few more blades. In addition to that, make sure you have at least one decent brush/soap. C&E Best Badger gives a great bang for the buck and we have 2 top notch soap-makers here (Colleen and Giovanni) so you're in good hands :nj
Jeff, for the minimalist approach, you only NEED one razor to start with... it NEEDS to be shave-ready sharp when you get it. With that you can learn to shave and along the way you'll learn to strop. After you've mastered those skills, you NEED to decide whether you want to hone your own razor when it's necessary vs sending it to someone for sharpening... if you decide to do it yourself, then you NEED to acquire tools and skills to hone. At any point in this progression, you can OPTIONALLY experiment as much (as your desire, time, and budget permits) with the hobby aspects of str8s... buying/selling razors, restoration work, scale making, collecting, etc., etc.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jfala
Now it's true that many (if not most) of us didn't follow the minimalist approach I just outlined. Many of us hit the eBay buy button almost immediately and purchased a bunch of rag/tag str8s, hones, strops, pastes, etc. A lot of us learned to sharpen and restore razors before we perfected our shaving techniques. In fact, if you read some other recent threads you'll find a lot of our longtime member shavers own tens (if not hundreds) of str8s, yet are still working on perfecting their str8 shaving technique (as evidenced by the fact that many are using DEs in conjunction with their str8 :w).
Sage advice to listen to Alan. But it's completely unnecessary to set a goal of having 10 razors in your rotation:eek:. I'd venture to say that the most of our members have only a couple razors in their regular rotation. Of course, there are also some who have hundreds... but I think that's the exception.Quote:
Originally Posted by FiReSTaRT
Personally, I own several dozen razors (most of which are in various stages of restoration). I have 4 that I consider in my "rotation"... but of those, I use two of them MOST of the time. The other two have fallen out of favor as I've acquired razors that I like to shave with better.
I agree with Joe that there is a benefit to keeping it simple initially. Its hard to draw any conclusions about what you "like" before you really know what you're doing. I'm starting to question some of the conclusion I arrived at earlier in my str8 shaving experience. Now I don't even allow myself conclusions. I just note the thought and store it away for later examination.
I've also cut my rotation down to 3-4 razors so I can get to know them better and learn more about honing/maintenance. If you use a razor once or twice a month, its hard to remember what the last experience with it was (even if you take notes). Just a thought. :)
Jordan
Thank you all for the great advice, much appreciated. I am fortunate enough that budget restraints is not an issue; however I don't just want to spend money just to spend.
If I were to get two razors to start, would it be better to get the same size but different grind or different sizes irrespective of the grind?
Let's say a 5/8 half-hollow and a 6/8 square point full hollow?
Jordan,
That is excellent advice, and something that I am dealing with in my DE rotation. I've got 5 DEs right now that I rotate through, and will get rid of a couple once I start with a straight. 2 of which are vintage in excellent condition that I want to hand down to my sons - so those won't be going anywhere.
Yes, getting technique down first is a good way to go. And that has been my thought in restricting myself to just one razor. But then it comes down to which one?
Thanks.
Well, I did! :) For 3.5 months I had just one trusty Dovo 5/8 Bismarck. Then I got a second (honed by Lynn). Then in the last three weeks 2 Wapienicas and a fantastic restoration and custom scales job from Josh and Gary respectively (will post pics up as soon as I get back to Blighty -- in NY right now).Quote:
Originally Posted by azjoe
So there's a RAD curve in the offing if I ever saw one. Just one straight for 3.5 months and then the rate starts to increase steeply...
We all succumb in the end.
Mark,
So are you advocating giving in to the inevitable RAD and purchase multiple razors to begin with?
That would work. You could also get one new Dovo or TI and one nicely restored vintage. As long as you get a couple of good quality shave ready razors I don't think all the little details matter that much. I would avoid extremes while learning - really big razors or really small ones.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jfala
After a couple of months you'll probably give in to the RAD and end up with a bunch of different razors and a wife/gf/whatever asking why you "need" another razor:rolleyes: . So grab a couple of practical razors and go to town! :tu
Jordan
As long as you have some "backup" way to shave (don't throw away the electric yet!), you won't need more than one razor. However, it won't be long before that "backup" will need to be another straight. ;)
- Scott
Jeff,
I don't think anyone can tell you what razor will be best for you... only you can determine that. Lots of factors enter into the decision... beard type, mustaches/beards/goatees. face shape/irregularities, etc. Jordan is right that the subtleties don't matter much in the beginning. ANY decent razor will give you a great shave if it's sharp and you have a good technique. I generally recommend a 5/8 or 6/8 round point (any grind) for a first razor. After you get good with that, then you'll be ready to try variations in size, grind, and points.
Nope. I'm definitely of the mind that you can make do quite happily with one. The only reason why I got a second was because I hadn't got my first honed professionally. I needed the reassurance of a properly sharp straight so I could focus on shaving techniqe, prepping, stropping etc. The learning curve is steep enough without having to worry about honing your first blade! If I knew then what I do now I would have had the blade honed by Lynn first.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jfala
I don't think you can get better advice than to focus on a single blade which has been properly honed.
I bought other razors because I am weak. And I defy anyone to turn down the chance of buying cheap Polish razors that everyone says can be great shaves. Just from the perspective of having cheap blades on which to practice your honing skills it's worthwhile.
Weak or not having a "cheaper" razor to practice honing on at some point is also a thought that has crossed my mind. Another reason to have 2 to start. I just have the feeling that I will probably screw-up the blade at some point unintentionally and need another to shave with.
Well, I ended up purchasing 2 razors from a couple of fine SRP members (thanks Brendon and Rich!)
A very nice 9/16 W&B with great scales and a 11/16 Chris Johnson half-hollow.
Thanks to all for your advice, I needed it.
Now, off to strops...
You got yourself a couple of very nice blades :tu
Thanks. Can't wait to use them.
:nj