Thread: Boker silver steel 6/8 white scales extra hollow as a beginner razor?

Hi guys. I have seen some people on YouTube that love this razor and so I am sort of interested in maybe getting it. I was reading on thesuperiorshave about the boker 6/8 extra hollow silver steel and it actually sounds like it's an aggressive razor for advanced users because it is a "stiff extra hollow grind that needs very good prep and technique". Do any of you guys own it and what are your thoughts about getting it as a first razor? Thanks.

You are in Las Vegas. Maximilian is in Las Vegas. He is a restorer of straight razors, among other things. It would behoove you to contact him and have a face-to-face session with him on all things straight razors. Might even have a chance to try out a few razors to see for yourself what will or won't work. Read Rule 6 of March Beginner's Tips (and the other 12 wouldn't hurt either.) Then you will have an educated base for your decision.

Thank you for your help. Unfortunately he lives in an area where I currently do not have easy access to. I will look into the March tip.

I'd say all straight razors are equally "aggressive" if honed to equal sharpness. The term "aggressive" is usually applied to DE/SE razors and relates to the amount of blade exposure and blade gap between the blade and safety bar. With a straight razor the entire blade is exposed and there is no safety bar so the term really dose not apply.

An extra hollow ground straight razor because of it's extra thin grind has about the most flexible blade of any of the razor grinds. A near wedge grind would have very little flexibility because less metal is removed in the grinding process.

Razorfeld has given you the best advice for a beginner and that is to get some one on one time with a mentor in your area.

Bob

As the others have said but you should also let your first be something that interest you (not necessarily hype). Either way its going to be a learning experience , enjoy the ride!

Last I heard Max wasn't behind bars so I,m a little lost on that one?

Tc

I talked to him on the phone about going directly to where he was to drop my razor off. I don't want to go to details about where he lives but it is somewhere where my current means of transportation would end and I would have to do a lot of walking. I would have to take a good amount of time off of my day and my knees are in no condition for the amount of walking I would have to do.

Boker are fantastic shavers. However, for a first, maybe try a King Cutter in 5/8ths with a round tip. Other first shavers are available obviously. I wouldn't advise spending too much in case after trying it, you decide it's not for you. Good luck.

That would be a fine razor beginner or otherwise. I would second the suggestion to go with a round tip - my Ralf Aust square tip left with some nice cuts when I first started with it. You have to mind where that square pint is all the time or it will let you know. Like second nature now but it was a rough couple of weeks and many four letter words...

Adam

Ive been curious about ralf aust razors. Are they balanced and do theynhave tight pivot pins? Also, Ive noticed that a lot of pictures show that the scales on the pivot pin side extend more than many razors I see. Is that ever an issue?