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I am looking to buy my first razor still...i am currently using a shavette which is producing good shaves with alot of irritation (which i heard is normal for the shavette).
I need to save a little money yet so i can get the razor and strop but what would you guys suggest...
a 5/8 or a 6/8 and also carbon or stainless...
i have course facial hair and only shave once maybe twice a week.
Thanks for any input...
I always recommend the same style of razor for a first razor, which is basically a dead center razor, 6/8 size, 1/2 hollow grind, and a round point....
Then you can decide which direction you want to go from the center of the razor selection....
PS whoops forgot the Carbon part
Hi,
Well, to start, I'd try a carbon 5/8. That's the most standard type of razor with good steel and the right size for someone who's beginning to shave with a straight razor.
Enjoy
Glen speaks truth.
I would agree and say a 5/8 and carbon for a starter. I prefer 6/8 and up for myself. Stainless is alright but harder to hone. Once you get going it is all personal preference but the 5/8 carbon is a good place to start. :gl:
Hi,
Though a 5/8" may be easier to manoeuvre around the face, a 6/8" is easier to keep flat on the strop when learning. This means you're less likely to roll the edge. Personally, i prefer the larger blades, but everyone's different.
Carbon is easier to hone than stainless, & many say gentler on the skin, but i prefer the stainless anyway.
Good luck mate!
I would probably suggest a 5/8 or 6/8 1/4 hollow, or even better yet a 4/8 is easier to maneuver in the upper lip area and tight spots.
So would this be a good starting razor thenQuote:
Originally Posted by gssixgun
DOVO Straight Razors
I am also interested in this razor...
DOVO Straight Razors
This is a good way!Quote:
Originally Posted by gssixgun
But in my opinion it actually doesn't matter that much if you buy a 5/8 or 6/8.
Better keep an eye on the steel and a sharp (!!!) blade.
In my opininion quality comes before size (at least when we talk about razors)
But a 5/8 or a 6/8 are both good to begin with.
I've been shopping a lot as well. After reading lots of reviews, doing tons of research (including looking for some lesser mentioned qualities such as: will I be able to find a matching brush, etc when I start upgrading my equipment) I settled on your second option there- the 5/8 Silver Steel Ebony. Haven't received it yet, so my advice is going to be lacking on the actual shave, but I can also tell you that it's a bit cheaper on Vintage Blades, even after you pay the extra $20 for pre-honing. They've got a matching ebony handled brush there (a Shavemac if I recall) that looks absolutely beautiful.
Another alternative is the 5/8 tortise handle that is on sale through today- beautiful razor, and has received a lot of good reviews. It's on sale ending today.
If you're still looking in a few days, I can give you my personal review of the ebony silver steel. Probably post a first shave account in the noob section.
good luck!
Thanks...for everyones input
Tyler keep me posted on your likes and dislikes of the Silver Steel
Quote:
Originally Posted by erictski
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!:D
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.
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....Quote:
Originally Posted by JCitron
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:gl:
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.
OK- finally got the Dovo Ebony Silver Steel 5/8, and as promised- my review.
Keep in mind this is my first big boy straight, having graduated from the shavette. It arrived in the mail from Vintage Blades LLC along with my russian leather strop with the padded handle. Both are beautiful. The razor (personally honed by Lynn Abrams) was not as heavy as I had expected- guessing I may eventually graduate up to a larger razor in the future. The ebony scales are gorgeous, and the filligree on the back of the spine are equally so.
As for the shave itself, it took me a little while to get used to it. I think I was a bit over-cautious (it was honed by Lynn afterall). Once I relaxed a bit, it seemed to go better. Did the first pass WTG with a bit of a learning curve, but for the second Cross-grain pass, it was like butter. I won't say I achieved true BBS, but not too shabby for a noob.
If you're still in the market, I'd say it's a nice razor to start out with for sure. Again, my only real complaint is that it's not as heavy as I might like, but that's personal preference.
Good luck with it!
Its hard to go wrong listening to Glen!
#1, please let's stop perpetuating the myth that stainless is any more difficult to hone than carbon. It is not.
Perhaps there are certain hones that do not work well with stainless, but that is not a problem with stainless, it is a problem with the hone.
I have had four different stainless razors, all were as easy (or difficult..) to hone as any of my carbon razors.
As far as shave quality goes, the two stainless Henckels Friodurs I found to not be so smooth shaving, the two Dovo stainless I have (Renaissance 6/8 and stainless 5/8 #41) are as smooth and sharp as any of my carbon blades.
Care for carbon razors is not too difficult, as has been said, but you do want to be dilligent with them. Stainless razors are MUCH simpler than that though. So, if you want wash-and-wear ease, go stainless. If you want carbon (a lot more choices of razors in carbon, by the way...), then don't let having to pay an extra couple of minutes post-shave hold you back from getting one of those either. There are many vintage razors that are all carbon, and they have such style and lines that you will never find in a stainless razor.
Hear hear!!!
Thank you Seraphim... I am glad to see this post