Thread: Beginner, feeling lost purchasing a new straightedge razor

Hi Andreas, there are lots on offer out there and I would say to you Dovo are on the lower scale of the better quality German Razors, there's Ralf Aust also Revisors own brand are very hard to beat so there's two very good starter razors to look at, things that you should be looking out for as a newbie straight razor user are a full hollow grind between 5/8 & 6/8 with a round point.

In general, blades from a manufacturer are all the same. The major difference and possibly the only difference would be carbon and stainless steels. The price is usually reflective of the fanciness of the blade/scales. If you aren't concerned with looks, I would recommend a sight unseen set from whipped dog or a ralf aust set from straight razor designs. These will give you good razors with a strop, which is necessary for maintenance. I do believe if you talk with whipped dog, you can request a German made blade. Other than that, you can also check out the classfieds, there is usually a lower priced razor in good condition and shave ready.

In any production razor line the cost difference between models is basically for additional bells and whistles embellishments. The same steel is use in the entire line. So you are correct on both counts.

Bob

the only thing I can add to what has been said is that it should be hand honed and shave ready. Factory edges are not always shave ready and should be honed either by the seller or a third party before you take the first shave.

Originally Posted by celticcrusader

Hi Andreas, there are lots on offer out there and I would say to you Dovo are on the lower scale of the better quality German Razors, there Ralf Aust also Revisors own brand are very hard to beat

I'm not adamant on Dovo or even being a German company, so I am open to both of those. However, I still run into the same problem of not knowing the difference between the dozens of razors each company has for sale.

Originally Posted by celticcrusader

so there's two very good starter razors to look at, things that you should be looking out for as a newbie straight razor user are a full hollow grind between 5/8 & 6/8 with a round point.

What makes a razor a "starter razor"? What is the difference between it and a "standard razor" while shaving?

Sir, I would get one off E-bay, there are a couple of W.H. Worley &Sons and some Wm. Elliot&com razors. Buy one or two and send them out to be honed (If you don't have the hones yet.) these are just as good as a brand new razor and a lot cheaper. JMHO.

You would not go wrong with the low end of the price range on anything Straight Razor Design sells, Bokers don't have jimps to help you hold them. Thiers Issard seem a bit less forgiving but all the razors and equipment they sell are of good quality from the cheaper to fantastically expensive. As a beginner you could do way worse going into uncharted stores or eBay.

If your skin is very sensitive you may want to try soap/cream samples before committing to a favorite or three. You may also want to try super soft badger brushes or synthetic brushes.

OP

I don't want to be answering for Jamie, but my guess is that a "beginner" razor is the least expensive plain Jane model in any makers line. It is no different than the other models in the line as far as the basic blade quality goes. The more expensive models may have bigger blades as measured in height not length. They also may have fancier scales, worked spines and gold etchings. Just remember pretty does not make a razor shave better but only cost more because of the extras.

Bob

The concept of a beginner razor is hogwash. A quality razor is just that period. It's not like you're buying a house and they have what they call "starter houses" which are small and have cheap interiors.

If you buy a new razor whether it's a Dovo or an Aust or a TI or any other recognized brands you will be getting a razor that will last longer than you and give you great shaves. It just needs to be honed and maintained properly.

You pay more for limited editions and special crafting and scales and cases and decoration none of which makes for a better shaving razor.