Thread: 5/8 or 6/8

Thanks...for everyones input

Tyler keep me posted on your likes and dislikes of the Silver Steel

Originally Posted by erictski

So would this be a good starting razor then

DOVO Straight Razors

I am also interested in this razor...

DOVO Straight Razors

The first one is exactly the blade I was talking about....

The second one is prettier and a 5/8 FULL hollow grind and has Silver Steel...

But from your statement "I have coarse facial hair" I would start with the first one.... It will be slightly heavier for coarser hair, and as stated above the 6/8 is a slight bit easier for a beginner on the strops...

I highly highly recommend that you get it pre-sharpened....

Thanks Glen

Glen's the man and his word is gospel.

The Dovo's are nice, I personally have never owned one, I've stuck with vintage blades thus far. If you're looking for a cheaper option I would keep an eye on the classifieds, you can probably find one there that will come shave ready and for a lot less than the Dovo.

I wouldn't worry so much about matching brushes. If you end up like the rest of us you will have far too many razors to worry about having a matching brush for all of them. Though that would be nice!

My first was a 5/8ths carbon round point that I got from a member here. It's still one of my favorite razors.

Now by all means, if money is no issue go for the Dovo and make sure to pay for the shaprening service. They are from what I understand top notch shavers.

Go stainless if you are spending a bit of money to buy a new razor. Get an inexpesive quality back up razor that is carbon from the classifieds here. You will find that the carbon razors tend to oxidize very quickly if not properly maintained and stored.

I would say that 5/8 would work for me but 6/8 probably does not make much difference. People suggest round point razors to newbies though.

"Go stainless if you are spending a bit of money to buy a new razor. Get an inexpesive quality back up razor that is carbon from the classifieds here. You will find that the carbon razors tend to oxidize very quickly if not properly maintained and stored."

I very respectfully disagree with this statement. Most razors are made of carbon steel. If rusting were a big deal, razor manufacturers would have abandoned its use a long time ago. Also, NOS razors would not be so common. Maintenance of a carbon steel razor is as simple as coating it with oil during long periods of storage. Also, I have seen lots rusty stainless steel objects. I do agree that stainless steel protects against oxidation.

Al raz.

Originally Posted by JCitron

Glen's the man and his word is gospel.

what are you saying... glen is the word of me? but yes, listen to him and see where you end But knowing that he doesn't own stiff grinds one wonders whether to do as glen says, or as glen does....

anyways, i should probably duck and cover before glen throws one of them rotten cracked ice scales at me...

Just get a razor and start shaving. It doesn't matter what you get first. I can gurantee that whatever you get you will think it is not good enough and you will want something else, but you have to start somewhere. It is kind of tough to build shaving skills only shaving once or twice a week, though. I enjoy shaving so much, I can hardly wait for the next shave. Just remember, the learning curve is not measured in shaves, but in months of daily shaving. Have fun! Scott

you can get the same razors cheaper at vintageblades llc.com just my .02 worth i also prefer a bigger blade my first was a 6/8 full hollow then i went up to a 7/8 but the bigger blade was a challenge to shave my moustache with at first

Whatever you decide you'll end up with both sizes (and a few more down the road) anyway.
If I could only keep 1 razor it would be a 5/8 full hollow.
But this is my own personal choice and you are the only one to judge for yourself what grind and size you'll end up loving.