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I want to purchase a new SR. The choices I have narrowed it down to are: Dovo, Thiers-Issard, and Boker. If you had to select from among these three which would you choose? In case you are wondering why these three...its because I am ordering from a Canadian supplier (Classic Edge). With the very low CDN dollar :banghead: and international shipping costs :banghead: I am looking to buy local....and because they ship their razors shave ready.
All the brands you are looking at are new current production, I assume not vintage, and all are reputable makes. Not owning any of those brands from current production, I think you can't go too far wrong with any of them. I would simply pick a razor that is in your price range, in the grind you like and with the looks you like.
Classic Edge is a good choice for all the reasons that you mentioned. Phil's edges are known to be very good so it really will be shave ready.
Bob
I personally do not prefer Dovo. I owned one and it arrived with a boatload of problems. And since I have honed a couple others and did not like the way the steel honed. Its said to be a good producer but my small sample did not measure up with other razors. Now Boker I really like. My only complaint with Boker is how few razors they offer in 6/8. I prefer a square tip, 6/8. They have a couple round tip 6/8 options but I think their lineup is too limited. But if they have a razor you like, Boker is great. The edges on mine are very good and they honed up really nice without any fuss. TI's are nice but they CAN be a bear to hone. I have one that I recently bought that honed really well with no problems. But I have two others that seem to be harder than the stones I'm honing them on. But eventually they come around. Two out of three of mine are a little tricky when honing. However, they are really nice, shave well, and are (in my mind) very handsome razors. These have been my experiences with the three names you mention.
To add to my newbie questions: should I go with stainless or carbon steel? Any advice on point type, grind, blade width etc. for a starter razor? I believe if you buy cheap you get cheap, so I do plan to invest a few bucks to get a good razor...one that I can use for a long time...and pass on to one of my boys.
I don't have a Boker, so can't comment, I have 2 Dovos and really like them as a go to, razor. Also have a Theirs-Issard which I really like and seems to a little more solid than Dovos gives a great shave, but is less forgiving of errors for me as a newbie. I use the TI when I have lots of time, and the Dovos when I want a straightforward relatively quick shave.
They are both great makes and the choice is really subjective, you won't go wrong with either brand fro SRD.
I have razors in both types of steels. They both shave well if properly honed. Stainless does add the advantage of being more tolerant of poor cleaning and storage with regards to how fast rusting and pitting start. That to me is a big advantage.
Round points are generally advised for a novice because that tip is less likely to bite you than other point styles.
Grinds and blade widths are a matter of personal preference more than anything else. Unfortunately the only way to acquire a preference is to gave used various grinds and widths.
For widths I'd say 5/8 to 7/8 is a good a place as any to start.
I'd keep in mind that the basic razor in any line uses the same blade as a more expensive model of the same size. You generally pay more for things like fancy spine work, fancy scale material and engraving/gold work.
Bob
Just personal preference but I choose Boker. If just starting out go with a round point.
Out of the three, I would go for Boker. The entry model King Cutter in a round point 5/8 is a good choice for a beginner.
If you don't mind waiting a little longer for the mail to arrive, you can always order a 5/8 entry model Ralf Aust directly from Herr Aust in Germany. Mine came pretty fast and shipping was very reasonable.
I would personally start with a carbon Boker round point. I personally started with a round point Dovo and it was good, but I got a Boker later and prefer it.
I just checked this model in Classic Edge and it looks like a good choice for me as a starter razor.Quote:
Originally Posted by Badgister
Boker 5/8 White King Cutter Straight Razor
A fine choice.Quote:
Originally Posted by Whizbang
Indeed, and I like the inlay.
If it is anything like the couple of vintage Boker King Cutters I have you will be well satisfied.Quote:
Originally Posted by Whizbang
Bob
My recommendation is a handful of vintage razors here on the classified's from someone you know can hone and a razor that has been shave tested. It's better to have 3-4 razors over one "new" one. Just an opinion of course.
I love my TI best, but my Boker is a very good blade too. I had a new Dovo and ended up GIVING IT AWAY
I like TI best. They called this one the Super Gnome when I bought mine 8 years ago. Same razor, different name. Reasonably priced and mine has been great.
Thiers-Issard Special C. Straight Razor 5/8 Ebony
more razors would be better, but you can't argue the edges. I will vouch that Phil's edges (Classic Edge) are excellent!Quote:
Originally Posted by shooter74743
As a newb myself my first purchase was a Dovo and I have had no issues with it. Seems to shave fine and the gold on the blade is really pretty top notch far as I can tell. I looked at all 3 brands you mentioned and went with Dovo just because they have more options far as I could find so I have no experience with the other 2 brands. My limited experience I would recommend a round point as well only because there have been a few times that if I had a square point or the like I believe I would look like Vangoe, not sure on spelling there. Anyway happy hunting and best of luck shave on!