Thread: A few questions from a starter...

Hello chaps,

Just looking to ask a few newbie questions of which I'm sure you frequenters are already sick, and maybe get some opinions. I'm looking to buy my first straight razor. I've never used one before. I'm currently using a Merkur Classic safety razor, with which I have no complaints, a boar bristle brush, and a tub of Proraso. I'm not tired of my double-edge or anything, I just think it'd be fun to try a straight blade. Plus they are pretty badass. So of course, I've done my reading and my research, and here's what I've come up with, lend me your opinions if you would!

I like the sound and the look of this blade by DOVO. From what I've read, extra hollow grind, carbon steel blade, and 5/8 size are my choices. Plus I think this redwood scale looks really sharp. Indeed, I intend to ask for the razor to be pre-honed as well.

DOVO Straight Razors

Also, from reading your forums it appears that the boys at classic shaving are very good about accepting returns of any defective items, which is encouraging.

Here's the strop I'm going for. It's 3 and 1/4" wide. I can't imagine why anyone would buy a strop too thin for their blade when there are wider ones available. I, of course, might be missing some finer point to stropping, so please fill me in if that's the case. It also seems to me that the canvas side goes largely ignored by the majority of shavers, so I'm fine with this strop not having one.

Razor Strops, Hones, and Accessories

As far as stones, I like the sound of the Norton 4000x8000. Seems like a good all around beginner stone. My plan for success is to grab these three items, play around with them until I know what I'm doing, and then use them forever, or until they wear out. I'm not really interested in collecting razors. Although I can't deny the price and pre-sharpened advantage of the ebay and classified specials, I much prefer the idea of buying a new razor and tending to it myself.

Now for some questions...

Am I being ridiculous? Do newcomers to honing and stropping generally tend to destroy their kit, or what? It seems everyone here has at least 3 razors, is it because they've blunted their starter blades?

How delicate are these razors? I realize dropping anything you spend a couple hundred bucks on is a bad idea, but are these type of razors finished after one accident, or are they more robust than that?

Used blades, how much metal is removed in the course of regular stropping and honing over say a year? How can these blades last so long so as to be resold decades later without wearing thin?

Thanks for your time, fellows!


Edit: and what does BBS mean?

Am I being ridiculous? Do newcomers to honing and stropping generally tend to destroy their kit, or what? It seems everyone here has at least 3 razors, is it because they've blunted their starter blades?

How delicate are these razors? I realize dropping anything you spend a couple hundred bucks on is a bad idea, but are these type of razors finished after one accident, or are they more robust than that?

Used blades, how much metal is removed in the course of regular stropping and honing over say a year? How can these blades last so long so as to be resold decades later without wearing thin?

I don't think you're being ridiculous. You are getting some top of the line stuff. I wouldn't worry about having multiple razors...I shaved with the same one every day for quite a while before I got a second one. As long as you are careful and go light and easy with both the strop and the hones you shouldn't have too much trouble.

The razors are delicate and if the edge hits something hard with enough force it's possible to damage it beyond repair but most boo boos are just dinging the faucet and putting a small nick in the edge which can be resolved with a little honing.

I wouldn't worry about losing metal in the course of normal honing. There are a lot of 100+ year old razors out there that are still good shavers.

Just be aware that like a lot of fun things using a straight can be habit forming...especially in the form of aquiring new razors, strops, hones, scuttles, mugs, brushes, soap, cream, aftershave, and for some even mirrors, cabinets, and other stuff. For what I've invested in my "starter kit" I could have bought Mach 3 blades and cream in a can for a decade or more.

haha, yeah... I make no claims about the cost effectiveness of not having to buy 'those expensive wasteful catridges'. Between my double-edge, and my collection of soaps and aftershaves, I'm already bordering on excessive. This is purely a functional indulgence for me. But as a military man I have to shave every day without fail, so I figure I might as well make it as much fun as possible.

Welcome to SRP!

Originally Posted by Fudas

Here's the strop I'm going for. It's 3 and 1/4" wide. I can't imagine why anyone would buy a strop too thin for their blade when there are wider ones available. I, of course, might be missing some finer point to stropping, so please fill me in if that's the case.

I, like many, strop in an x-pattern, so 3" strop is wasted on me. I really have not tried both ways, so I won't comment on whether one is better. I'd however direct you to Tony Miller's website. It looks like saving some money isn't your top priority, so take a look at his strops, as I think they even look better than the one you're considering.

Originally Posted by Fudas

It also seems to me that the canvas side goes largely ignored by the majority of shavers, so I'm fine with this strop not having one.

Yes, I use the canvas every now and then, but I don't think I'll cry if I have just a leather.

Originally Posted by Fudas

As far as stones, I like the sound of the Norton 4000x8000. Seems like a good all around beginner stone. My plan for success is to grab these three items, play around with them until I know what I'm doing, and then use them forever, or until they wear out. I'm not really interested in collecting razors. Although I can't deny the price and pre-sharpened advantage of the ebay and classified specials, I much prefer the idea of buying a new razor and tending to it myself.

Sounds very reasonable. My tastes have changed a bit from when I started and right now if I'm to pick one razor with a $180 budget, Dovo won't be anywhere near the top, but that's why we're all different.
If you are going to only be doing maintenance on your razor I'd pick up different hone. For the price of the Norton, my choice would be a small coticule or perhaps a vintage escher/thuringian if you can find one cheap. The later actually is not an option for you since you want new.

Originally Posted by Fudas

Do newcomers to honing and stropping generally tend to destroy their kit, or what? It seems everyone here has at least 3 razors, is it because they've blunted their starter blades?

No, I don't think so - it happens but I wouldn't say it's always the case.

Originally Posted by Fudas

How delicate are these razors? I realize dropping anything you spend a couple hundred bucks on is a bad idea, but are these type of razors finished after one accident, or are they more robust than that?

They are rather delicate. It depends on the drop, of course, but I'd say with extra hollow Dovo the chances of survival are not very high. Just be careful and you'll be fine, but in the end of the day it's just a razor that is very simple to replace. I still haven't been able to replace the one I dropped, which would've been near the top of my candidates for single razor.

Originally Posted by Fudas

Used blades, how much metal is removed in the course of regular stropping and honing over say a year? How can these blades last so long so as to be resold decades later without wearing thin?

With proper honing not much at all - I'd say less than 5 microns. A razor can last you many lifetimes.

Originally Posted by Fudas

Edit: and what does BBS mean?

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Well, I've been looking around, and there's not much selection from new razors. If you can suggest a superior razor, I'd love to take a look! I'm not married to the idea of a brand new razor, necessarily.

Some of the best deals on used razors are right here in the classified section on SRP, the guys here are very honest about the razors they sell, so your chances of scoring a great shaver go way up...
The other way is to find a razor that you like on e-bay that looks to have a solid blade and have it restored by one of us that do that... Since your in Canada one of the best on here is Floppyshoes/Dan one of your fellow Canadians you might drop him a PM......

BTW some of us swear by the linen side of the strop, I would suggest that you form your own opinion on it's merits.....

Welcome To SRP

Originally Posted by Fudas

Well, I've been looking around, and there's not much selection from new razors. If you can suggest a superior razor, I'd love to take a look! I'm not married to the idea of a brand new razor, necessarily.

That is true, there are not that many new razors, but tere are still some new old stock ones. I'd consider the friodurs at shavingshop for example, a better choice. But if you want it to look really spiffy you should have somebody oufit it with a better set of scales, which will push you over $180. I guess if you like bocote, matt was selling a friodur for $190. Many people like a lot the bismarck and the rennaisance, but they are a shoulderless design.
As far as not new razors, if you're somewhat open to the idea you should be able to get a fantastic razor for the budget. If you like the Dovo look, I'd try to get a vintage one as they are much better. Other brands that I really like and are not terribly expensive are heljestrand, joseph rodgers etc.
I'm not partial to gold wash and the one from dovo in particular, but that's just a matter of taste. I prefer clean blades with ivory scales. If there'll be something on the blade, I'd rather have it be an engraving, not an etch - a whole lot classier looking imho.

Anyways, it's your razor and you should get what you like.

Yes the fridour is still available as well if you are interested. I just had it honed by lynn and it shaves nicely. I just really want that Chandler that Cuts is selling.

Have any pictures of this one?

Originally Posted by Fudas

My plan for success is to grab these three items, play around with them until I know what I'm doing, and then use them forever, or until they wear out. I'm not really interested in collecting razors.

Forgive me Fudas. I believe I am not the only one who has thought or said such a thing when starting up. Many of us here have said the same thing. Dont get me wrong, there are some who do have only one razor, but the notion that getting into straight razor shaving to save money has been.... debatable, for me at least.

I dont want to discourage you from straight razor shaving in the least. Far from it. I genuinely do hope you enjoy your straight razor experience. Just be aware that they can be very.... addictive. And its not a collection. Its a 'rotation'.