Thread: 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!

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.

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.

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

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 -
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!
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?



M

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