tang question

So I took a STR8 class at fsc barbers in NYC. Great info, fun instruction, got most of a shave, and a freebie STR8 and pack of disposables, yes it takes replacable. STR8 shaving is great, now I want a real razor. I've been looking at the classifieds, SRD, CS, vintageblades, rup's etc. I'm lucky enough to be in NYC so I went to check out the TI blades at AOS and some Dovo's at the new york shaving company.

I found the AOS TI awkward to hold, the tang had a flat grippy (sorry my newbie term, do I mean beveled?) thumb side but a smooth and rounded finger (top) side. And the balance was all off for the wooden (lighter handle), but ok for the black.
The Dovo tortoise on the other hand is flat and grippy on both top and bottom of the tang. I felt much more comfortable with this and had a firmer grip (but that's not necessarily a good thing?). I also liked the balance.

So the questions come from actually feeling these razors;
I liked the Dovo, should I go with my gut, or am I misreading my novice approach assessing these STR8s?
If I like the 2 flat sided grippy (yeah sorry) Dovo, what other razors have a tang like this? I noticed that not all Dovo's do.

And one more thing, sharpening. If I only shave twice maybe three times a week. Did I read somewhere that one sharpening per year is reasonable?

Thanks in advance, M

Those bumps are called jimps and some razors have them while others don't. It's up to your preference, but remember, the goal is not to have a tight grip. You are lookingfor firm, but flexible.

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Originally Posted by m0nk3yphd

If I only shave twice maybe three times a week. Did I read somewhere that one sharpening per year is reasonable?

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heh, well that depends on how you treat your razor. If you clean strop and oil after every shave you can really stretch that edge life out. If you use pasted strops to freshen the razor when it starts to pull, again you can lengthen the time between having to hit the stones. If you adopt both of those suggestions ... well, I'd be damn curious to see exactly how long you could go before going to the hones. Two years maybe. Me? I like honing mine. :D

X

The first time I used a razor without "grippies", called jimps, it felt really awkward but you get used to it almost immediately. I do not even think about that anymore. One thing to keep in mind is to keep your thumb and fingers dry and you should be fine. A lot of razors have jimps at the top and bottom though if you prefer them. I cannot speak for the Dovo but the Thiers Issard that I have used have a good balance, even without the jimps. I guess this is a matter of personal preference. And yes, gut is good sometimes, go with what feels most comfortable to you, especially at the beginning.

Al raz.

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Originally Posted by m0nk3yphd

If I only shave twice maybe three times a week. Did I read somewhere that one sharpening per year is reasonable?

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That will totally depend on you...which includes things like your beard and your technique (prep, stropping,etc.). While there are a few brands of razors that just seem to keep going most will require a touchup from 1 to 4 times a year. That is of course until you start doing your own honing and become obsessed with sharpness...then it's not uncommon to hit the hones on a weekly basis. No names will be mentioned but it's been rumored that there are actually people who hone after every shave! :w

As for the grip it's hard to say until you shave with the razor. While I like jimps on the tang one of my favorite razors is a special edition TI that is totally smooth.

Get the one that feels better. It may not be the jimps on top, but rather the geometry of the razor. I don't think I can have too-light scales, but definitely there can be too heavy for me.
I haven't noticed I prefer jimps on both sides, but I definitely prefer them on the bottom of the shank. Come to think about it Heljestrands do have them on top as well - may be they are really important afterall :)