Thread: Which Would You Recommend?

Hello all,
I'm new to the forum and I'm looking for a good basic razor to start my straight my straight razor experience.

I'm presently torn between the Thiers-Issard 'Special Coiffeur' and the Dovo Special with tortoise shell scales. From research I have done they both seem to get pretty good reviews.

If it was your call which would you buy and why?

Thanks,
Kevin

Personally i`d go with the TI. Reasons: I already have a Dovo and I dont like tortoiseshell. My Dovo is great though and TBH you cant go wrong with either make. Good luck with whichever you choose and remember to have it honed by a honemeister before you start! Factory honed is NOT honed

SidneyKidney

I cant comment on your choices since I haven't tried either razor. But If I were going to spend that kinda money I would buy a vintage blade or two . but thats just imho.

Hi. I have to say the same as Doc. I do not have a razor from them. Maybe better to start out with a used one. If you seek in the BST forum, you will find good deals on a good razor. Some razor´s are also sold with a honing service down the road. A good thing to have

Also, what ever you buy, have one shaving ready.

Good luck

Originally Posted by Doc

I cant comment on your choices since I haven't tried either razor. But If I were going to spend that kinda money I would buy a vintage blade or two . but thats just imho.

Originally Posted by vegard_dino

Hi. I have to say the same as Doc. I do not have a razor from them. Maybe better to start out with a used one. If you seek in the BST forum, you will find good deals on a good razor. Some razor´s are also sold with a honing service down the road. A good thing to have

Also, what ever you buy, have one shaving ready.

Good luck

x2

I really can't add anything here other than my vote. Its been said pretty wel by these two guys.

Agreed with Doc and vegard_dino. Besides if you find a vintage in the B/S/T, you'll save a good bit of money, have a great SHAVE-READY razor, and be able to spend more on your strop/soaps/brush/AS/scuttle/more razors/more soaps/honing stones/more AS/a lot of 10 razors on eBay/professional honing service for the razors you damaged on your first honing try/.....................................

okay, maybe not ALL of that.

Why start with an expensive new razor. Suppose you discover str8 shaving isn't for you you have to sell them on. If you look well after vintage razors you stand less to lose financially.

http://www.theinvisibleedge.co.uk/page88.html

http://www.theinvisibleedge.co.uk/page23.html

http://www.theinvisibleedge.co.uk/page108.html

http://www.theinvisibleedge.co.uk/page21.html

Okay, I take your point gentlemen. It would make sense to get a cheap one that I can later practice honing on, when I move up to something a litttle more desirable.

Would you recommend any of the above as a starter razor?

I live in the UK so this guy is handy, and from research he is well respected.

My only concerns with vintage/used razors are the obvious blood born diseases out there.

I'm determined I'm going to straight shave, even if it takes me a year to get good at it!

I would recommend the Kropp or the Geneva. I have a Geneva and it performs VERY well.

As long as you sterilize the razor, there is no need to worry about blood-related bacteria/diseases. It really is not difficult to sterilize a razor.

I'd go to Ebay and buy a nice NOS (New Old Stock) Dubl Duck or a Puma. - either or....

I would have it honed by one of our honemeisters; and I think I would then be off to a great start.

Just my humble opinion -

Steve