Thread: Best choice for a rough beard?

Hi All,

I'm brand new at this, but I've spent a day or two, lurking about and reading the wiki's. I've also checked out, a lot of linked websites I've found on this forum, including vendors, how-too's, and histories.

I've come to the conclusion that a straight razor might be the cure to my shaving woes. I can't believe I haven't considered this before, but we are so bombarded by these Gillette and Schwick advertisements, are we not?

Seriously, in the 15 or so years I've been shaving, shaving has been nothing more than a pita. Shaving has been a task that has involved 45 minutes of constant nicks, up and down scrapping, raw skin, and a general feeling of racked nerves and lost patience.

How could this be? I have such a super thick, and rough beard; and yet, I've shaved with nothing but these cartridge razors all my life. Most likely because we are so taught, maliciously I might add, that they are, "the best a man can get."

Pfft! What a joke. I've had nothing but constant nicks, and aggravation, sore skin, blades that don't last half a shave, and such a disdain for the task at hand that I don't participate unless I really, really have to shave.

So, this is why the other day, I became completely fed up, and all of a sudden it hit me, "why not try a straight razor." Well, here I am, StraightRazorPlace, being a place that shows up well with a google search.

Anyways, allow me to wrap this up, with a couple of questions for the crowd.

It seems to me, that both Dovo and Thiers Issard, are the two to look at if one would like to purchase a new quality razor, as opposed to a restored vintage.

I'm into new things, and if I could just have some help narrowing this down, I'd be much obliged.

For a thick beard, which would be the better choice between the two razor companies above, if any? Which size, if any, would be the best choice?

Honestly, I'm guilty of reading the wiki over and over, so I am afraid that those are the only two questions I can think of right now. I'm absolutely open to all suggestions, and thoughts having to do with really rough beards.

If you have any exact models to suggest, please do, but lets try to keep the razors cost below $200.

I'd really like something with wood or bone scales. I'm pretty sure Straight Razor Designs has a PackaWood (spelling) Dovo, within my budget, but I'm having trouble finding a Thiers Issard to compare too.

If you have a link for a Thiers Issard, with wood or bone, I'd be much obliged.









Thank you very much for your time,

Cheers
J

Mine is a medium beard, but I think you would do better with 1/4 ground or a wedge as they seem to be the choice for tough beards.

Take it slow as quality is what your are seeking. Don't put too much pressure on yourself. I am sure other members will chime in given what works for them given they have a tough beard like yours.

Dovo's and Ti's are both reputable brands.

Welcome to SRP.

Pabster

Hi Pabster, thanks for that advice. You don't happen to know which TI and Dovo models would qualify those specs, do you? For example, the Bismark, or the Le Dandy? I can't seem to find in-depth descriptions, about model spec, and blade spec, on the retail sites.

I understand the sizes are well posted, and certainly the scale material. It is a little hard sometimes to figure out blade composition, and maybe even style.

:-)

Thanks for the suggestions again,

cheers

J

Also, check this out BEFORE your first shave.

First straight razor shave - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Lynn

Hi AFDavis11, Thanks for the link, a nice looking blade for sure. However, I'm going to browse SRD to see if they have some half hollows as well.

Maybe I shouldn't be so worried about the beard. I guess those cartridge razors are a pathetic lot. If it wasn't totally dark here, I'd do a confirmation pic, to see if the, "rough beard blades," were truly necessary for me. I've got a good weeks worth of growth right now. I'll post it up tomorrow.

Cheers

Originally Posted by Lynn

Also, check this out BEFORE your first shave.

First straight razor shave - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Lynn

Just the one, I haven't had the chance to read yet. I'll get to it right now, thanks.

:-)

Peace

Welcome to SRP. You've already found the wiki that's great. Tons to learn there. A new razor is fine but you may want to think about getting one professionally sharpened (Vintage or new) Straight razor Design has Dovos and they are sharpened before you ever see them. With the razor you will need a strop and a good soap. The other thing needed is time one doesn't learn to str8 shave over night. There is an art to it but as you learn your shaves will become closer and closer. Be patient, go slow and learn lots

i'm with alan (big surprise )
there are plenty of razors labeled 'for tough beards' which are quite hollow, so i'm not convinced about the stiff grind being necessary.
1/4 hollow is just a different animal in my view. for really stiff grind i'd suggest a frameback or 'concave grind' instead, but that pretty much means vintage and not new.
i think the one alan linked to and one of the dovo models are the only current production razors that are not full hollow. (i know there are le grelot blanks that TI grinds these days, but i'm not sure they're regular production).

Welcome, the wiki has great info .

Couple of things:

1st: good beard prep. is essential, more do if you have a rough beard. For str8 shaving you really need a brush and soap or cream and lather well. So if you use spray can stuff: bin it!

2nd: within your budget are plenty vintage razor that will do the job perfectly well. For a nwebee I would recommend a Dovo, simply because they are easier to hone. Though it is recommended you have your 1st razor honed by a honemeister you'll most likely eventually want to hone your own. Thiers-Issard razors are a bit harder to hone.

Originally Posted by gugi

i'm with alan (big surprise )

there are plenty of razors labeled 'for tough beards' which are quite hollow, so i'm not convinced about the stiff grind being necessary.

Well, this is basically what I'm trying to deal with right here.



I didn't want to use this picture, I took it this after-noon, and then said to myself, "it might be time to paint a little."



So...

I liked the razor Alan linked as well; but is it what I need, or is it overkill? The other thing about Thiers Issard, was if I bought one, I was seriously considering buying via, "The Art of Shaving," or perhaps some shop other than, "Classic Shaves." The latter seemingly a bit overpriced. No offense to the owner, if he cruises the forum.

Anyways, do you have a link to the Dovo razor, that you thought was not full hollow? After seeing my picture, do you think I should be worried, or do you think any straight razor will do the trick?

Originally Posted by Kees

Couple of things:

1st: good beard prep. is essential, more do if you have a rough beard. For str8 shaving you really need a brush and soap or cream and lather well. So if you use spray can stuff: bin it!

2nd: within your budget are plenty vintage razor that will do the job perfectly well. For a nwebee I would recommend a Dovo, simply because they are easier to hone. Though it is recommended you have your 1st razor honed by a honemeister you'll most likely eventually want to hone your own. Thiers-Issard razors are a bit harder to hone.

Just to elaborate really quickly on vintage, it's a little difficult for me to price those out. I see vintage razors in flee markets, for $2 and $4 a throw. Obviously, with the vintage in SRP classifieds, you are paying for a pro restore, and collector value, but until I have a handle on this, I'm really leaning new.

However, I still apreciate the thought of vintage, and will give it much consideration.

The other thing that is interesting about your post, is about the kit side of it. Well, how much kit is really necessary? Do I need a shaving mug? What is a shaving mug? Should I buy a strop and a razor at the same time? Further reading of the wiki, and other sites seems to suggest that I might do that. I've also come across some things that talk about skin oils, as opposed to soap.

I agree with you, maybe I have been thinking too much about the blade as a part, and not about the situation as a whole. As for soaps, oils, strops, and stones, mugs, and the like. Where do you go, what do enjoy buying?

Then the question is, do I just buy a whole starter kit, or do I just start off with razor, strop, and soap? It is a whole process really, to get into this style of shaving. I must say, I find it fun, and intriguing.