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I have been using a DE razor for awhile and have recently become interested in trying a straight. What should I look for in a beginner razor? For instance is full hollow favored over half hallow? I will most likely buy a new DOVO but am open to other possibilities. Any information is appreciated.
welcome to srp
the usual recommendation is 5/8 to 6/8 hollow ground. most people find extra hollow trickier to use when starting, but the regular dovo grind is on the stiff side of hollows.
and of course there are the vintage blades, but if you want a new dovo there's plenty of them readily available.
make sure to pick up a good quality strop too (meaning not the cheapo zeepk, selective, etc.)
As above. You'll also be guided towards a round point, so that you are less likely to remove an earlobe. As long as you're careful any point is fine in my view though. There are fewer Dovo's that aren't rounds.
Thank you for the information. The main reason I plan on getting a new Dovo is that I am a Merkur retailer. So...when I place my next order for Merkurs I thought I'd pick up a Dovo straight and strop as well. They list the concavity as 1/1 or 1/2 which I understand is full hollow and half hollow. What is extra hallow?
It's just terminology, really. Extra hollow, finest hollow, all sorts of pretty useless ways of describing a grind - especially as the definition changed as grinds became hollower and hollower.
I think, if you're used to a DE, the extra heft of a half hollow might feel more comfortable, but I have no experience of swtiching between the two my self.
extra hollow are the prima klang razors.
if you take a look at the wiki of this site there is the henckel's scale of hollowing - they had 14 different levels.
you will have to send your razor to one of the guys who offer honing services as they don't come very sharp from the factory.
Welcome
please read WIKI Before you start to use straight . there is should be videos available too.
gl
Dovo Special Tortoise
3" canvass/leather strop
4 sided pasted strop
Best Pure Badger Brush
Col Conk Soaps
All are still going strong for me, although I added two more straights to the rotation.
Pabster
That is what I understand...they say they are shave ready but they really aren't. Thank you for the added information.Quote:
Originally Posted by gugi
Absolutely. I will probably read the forums and watch videos for a couple of weeks before I attempt to straight shave.Quote:
Originally Posted by hi_bud_gl
You may want to do some practicing (learning angles and such) before your first shave. Practice may not make prefect but it sure helps get us closer. (practice stroping your razor too, believe me it helps)
Definitely! Once I get the strop and razor I will definitely practice stropping and will get somewhat comfortable with it before I put blade to face.Quote:
Originally Posted by ENUF2
Just to bounce off of what he said, I went to my local flea market and bought a 5 dollar crummy straightblade. I practiced stropping for quite awhile with it before i actually started stropping my "good" blade. Although the blades were different sizes, this seemed to help me understand how it should feel to strop properly. I would suggest doing something similar, or doing what many people have suggested to me lately and use a butter knife.Quote:
Originally Posted by ENUF2
Im brand new myself, will be attempting my 4th shave tonight. Good luck with everything
That is an excellent idea. It will give me good practice without the risk of damaging my good blade. How are your shaves going so far?Quote:
Originally Posted by shorynot
Eh? They are so so...im really having a difficult time with my strokes, when i watch the videos everyone is doing these nice fluid motions down their face. I just dont see how its done...once i get under my chin (jawline, whatever you wanna call it) its a mess. Im definitely reducing the hair on my face...but its patchy all over the place.Quote:
Originally Posted by BullGoose
I bought some really good lather (Truefitt and hill) and have a badger brush on the way. Im having a hard time getting a good lather going...maybe its because of my cheap walmart boar brush. Anyways im sure all this will get better soon...practice practice practice.
Good luck
I've only been at this 4 weeks as of tomorrow I was set up with a professionally sharpened vintage razor, Badger brush, Heirloom Latigo / Horsehide strop, (2) good soaps (Ogalalla and Kiss my face) and a Barber hone. Still I didn't see a "quality" shave until almost week 3. I was well instructed and my shaves were alright (a few nicks, a few weepers) but there is a learning curve. You will hear guys talk about an ah ha moment, I had one. You will learn the angle that shaves best and you will figure out the different directions your beard grows. All these are small pieces which are needed to for better and better shaves. It seems like every time I shave I learn something new, you will too. Just remember slow and steady, be patient and lean of the advice and the wiki and you will do great.
I would highly suggest listening to what has been said already and get a rounded point blade. There is nothing wrong with starting with a spike point but it's like riding a motorcycle at the beginning...you WILL slip. It's only a matter of time.
That tiny point will stick ya when you least expect it to.