Thread: Would like some input from those who know...

..or those who don't.

I'm torn between the DOVO ebony spike point 5/8 made of carbon steel, and the 5/8 ebony round point made of stainless steel.



Can I have your opinions on each/either you may have experience with? I know that either way I'll end up with a great shaver, but would like to know, especially with the steeper learning curve of the spike point, which you'd recommend to a new straight shaver.

I have DE experience with a Gillette Fatboy.

Any other suggestions for new razors around <$140?

I was in an antique shop and saw some potentials, but my wife didn't seem to keen on me using someone else's razor (yet ).

I'm also looking for a strop. I have a brush (on the way) and some soap, so these two items, razor and strop, should complete my collection... for now.


Thanks for any help you can provide gents.

well, Ive used both and now I am almost always using either a spike, or a razor with a slight smile and a barber's notch. IMHO if you pay close attention to your technique a spike is just as easy to use as a round point. The round point may be a bit more forgiving of the technique of most people who are new to straights, but if you pay attention and be carefull you can learn on a spike...

as for benefits... I like my spikes because I keep a goatee and mustache and the spike lets me get my lines as clean as I want. Also, I think they look cooler (that's about it).

Round points may be more forgiving for a beginner, especially around the neck areas that can be tricky

Just my thoughts, don't take any of this as law... just my personal observations.

A spike isn't that hard to use, but a round point is more forgiving. If this is your first str8, I'd go with the round point.

I thought this would be the case. Spike point 1, Round point 0.

I frequently keep a goatee, so that scores big. If the spike point was stainless I think I'd have already bought it.

I have found a fondness for spike points. I started with a round and love it as well. Most will say start with a round because it is a little more forgiving. Then when you get your second razor get the spike!!! As far as the price if you are dead set on a new razor you are looking in the right direction with the dovo's I have one and it shaves great, its a round point.

When you order your razor make sure and get it honed, most vendors listed on this site offer razors that are professionally honed or they give you the option to have it honed for a little extra $. From the looks of it you have done some looking, do you have a vendor in mind?

I'm looking at Vintage, they seem to have a good price, honed by Lynn, good customer service, speedy processing.

Yeah, can't go wrong with a lynn honed blade... and for what it's worth, with proper care you'll get every bit as much enjoyment out of a carbon blade as a stainless. Some of my favorite shavers in my rotation are carbon steel razors.

Oh and that razor comes honed (by Lynn)

Now that you mention it, I was going to get VintageBladesLLC::... that combo right there, which seemed to be pretty good. But I really wanted a brush from somewhere else. I also think I want a scuttle, so I bought some other stuff a la carte from elsewhere on the interwebs, one step at a time, right, gents?

Long story short, I may go SRD with the premium I leather.

You will be very happy with SRD any of there strops will be great but if you want to spring for the premium go for it (just take your time or get a practice strop from someone because more than likely you are going to nick it) as far as a scuttle there is some options there. I just got mine from Georgetown Pottery. Which Brush are you looking at?