Which razor to get next?

Hi guys,

I've just started this straight thing (as you may or may not of read in another thread) and am loving it. I shave every second day, and at the moment have two 6/8 round tip Henckels.

My wife says I should get another one - that way if busy I don't have to strop until the weekend, when I do have time.

Who am I to argue.

So - what should I try? I would like to get something different, just so can see what different is like. Should I try a different size (5/8?) or stick with the size and go for a wedge? Thats the couple of ideas that are going through my head at the moment. Or maybe get a 5/8 wedge.....

Currently the bits I am strugling with are starting at the sideburns (can't seem to see and get the angle right) and my lower neck... don't think that has anything to do with size/style of razor, rather my shody technique!

Whatever I go for, it must be a round tip at this learning point! Oh and shave ready - I'll get a couple of ebay razors to learn the honing thing.

So give me some suggestions? Thanks in advance.

Matt

Hi,
I'd suggest a different size--in your case--a 5/8ths. I started with a 6/8 and moved to a 5/8ths forever when I found it manuvered much better. It's now my only razor.

Hey! Glad to hear the wife has given you the go-ahead for more razors! She is a rare breed no doubt!:D:D

Head to www.shavingshop.com. The razors on there are awesome and start pretty cheap. And I suggest you go for a quarter hollow grind. My early experiences with a 8/8 W&B full wedge was gruesome. Good shavers but unforgiving to an inexperienced shaver!

Hope this helps and happy shaving!

Rick

What razor to get is really hard to answer. If you're happy with what you got stick with it, if you are adventurous try something else. I would change only one thing at a time: so either try a 6/8 wedge or try a different size hollow ground. Wedges are harder to get and only available second hand, try the B/S/T forum or the classifieds.

BTW: congrats on your supportive wife!

Well, while your wife still supports you, why not go ahead and order a high-end razor from one of the custom razor makers? Joe Chandler, Tim Zowada, L Harner, R Williams, Livi to name a few... somebody will surely fit your style. You'll get a stiffer grind razor from them in whatever size you fancy.

Note that this is a recommendation for your very very special case - I'm just thinking that by the time you try 20 razors and start getting an idea of what you like your wife will not be as supporting anymore...

If you must go the standard route - sheffield steel in stiff grind seems different enough and these are plentiful. It seems most people on this board go for large sizes, so I suspect there are tons of people looking to unload their for example 5/8 round point rodgers (actually I like them enough to have several duplicates, but for one of them you'll have to wait until I get around to hone it). In any case the truth is that you will want to try even more razors, so just take it slowly and enjoy.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gugi

Well, while your wife still supports you, why not go ahead and order a high-end razor from one of the custom razor makers? Joe Chandler, Tim Zowada, L Harner, R Williams, Livi to name a few... somebody will surely fit your style. You'll get a stiffer grind razor from them in whatever size you fancy.

Note that this is a recommendation for your very very special case - I'm just thinking that by the time you try 20 razors and start getting an idea of what you like your wife will not be as supporting anymore...

If you must go the standard route - sheffield steel in stiff grind seems different enough and these are plentiful. It seems most people on this board go for large sizes, so I suspect there are tons of people looking to unload their for example 5/8 round point rodgers (actually I like them enough to have several duplicates, but for one of them you'll have to wait until I get around to hone it). In any case the truth is that you will want to try even more razors, so just take it slowly and enjoy.

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Gugi just explained the 1st symptoms of RAD in his last lines. BEWARE!:D

A nice (near) wedge would be good.
A Wapi might fit the bill, cheap, new (well NOS) and held in high esteem on the forum!
They are oblique point wedges - :D
theinvisbleedge.co.uk has them at the moment.

One thing in your post concerns me...stropping.
It is always advised to strop for 30-60 roundtrip laps just before each and every shave. Not the day or night before either!:nono:
Some of us apply the shaving lather/cream and them take 90 seconds to strop our razor, then shave.Very simple to do.
Your face will thank you for this!:)

Thanks for all the suggestions - I certainly have a lot to think about - but no real rush!

And please don't worry about the stropping - I really like it, and just got a really nice strop from Tony - the practice ones a dream to use, so the real one should be awesome - its a thing of beauty,

Of course, my wife thinking she will save me time if I get another razor... well, who am I to argue. I'm bound to loose anyway, right?

:nono:

M

I would see if she is receptive to letting you get a custom razor. Nothing ventured, nothing gained...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by netsurfr

I would see if she is receptive to letting you get a custom razor. Nothing ventured, nothing gained...

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I think this HAS to be the winning answer:D

Thanks for all the suggestions!

I ran the custom razor idea past my wife, and she was fine with it - only problem is I don't know what I like yet, so I'm going to try a few different styles and see. I also want to learn to hone my own razors first as well - no point in having a super great razor and either not being able to hone it, or stuffing it when I do try!

So in the interests of trying new things, I bought a Wapi from the invisible edge. i also bought a collection of 6 razors from an ebay seller - there is one good hollow in the set, and a bunch of rusting and uneven-shoned things there as well - so plenty for me to play with as I learn to hone.

So the wapi - I tried it this morning and really enjoyed it. What I like most was the way the heavier blade seems to need less pressure. I also really like the oblique point - great for under the nose and doing straight sideburn lines. I think the blade was good, but the tang seemed a bit small - all in all it felt little in my hand. I also found the blade harder to align on my neck, but then I'm used to 6/8.

I would really like to try a 6/8 oblique point near wedge now - I have a feeling that may suit me - but we'll see. Just have to find one now!

Matt

What has she done wrong that has meant she is encouraging you to get more and spend more money? That DOESNT happen. Has she broken one of the ones you have? Has she been buying stuff from the internet herself and now feels guilty? Ask yourself: what has she done to feel guilty for? :thinking:

Unless of course its your birthday coming up, in which case just tell her the one you'd like :)