Thread: Question on razor

I'm new to straight razors but I'm looking forward to getting started. I started using a badger hair brush and shave soap and experienced inprovements but my Gillete Mach3 is killing me. I'm stuck on buying a DOVO "Best Value" for starters, and a DOVO "No.105"(?) just because I like how the the blade looks. At $180 I'd be afraid to put that to a hone. There is another DOVO razor that caught my attention that I may consider.

Anyway, at a local barber supply I was looking at a strop when the salesman showed me a straight razor for $50. It had no name that I could see but was "Made in Germany". Is this worth the risk?

Welcome to SRP. A rule of thumb I was taught when I got into collecting pocket knives 40 years ago is that if a maker didn't think enough of his blades to put his name on it he must not be very proud of his work.

If you go to the SRP Wiki here you'll find a beginner's section with razors to avoid and others that are recommended. Having a razor honed by an expert is essential to successful shaving IME. Take a look at the classifieds and you will find straight razors for sale and in member's services members who offer honing and restoration.

I'm no expert, but I would stay away from no name razors. If you don't know who made it, you can't have any idea of the quality and sometimes the steel is of lessor quality and the scales are added in Germany and they are called "Made in Germany" when they really aren't. Also, just because it's made in Germany doesn't mean it was made by a quality manufacturer.

Dovo is a respected brand and you should be satisfied with one once you are proficient with it. I would recommend buying from Straight Razor Designs so that the razor comes pre-honed and ready to shave with. If you get a better price from another seller, you can send it to Lynn or some other hone service to get it honed. Save the cost of a hone until you know you will like straight shaving. I have one hone so far and that is a Chinese 12K that I bought from Woodcraft for about $40 plus shipping and I took a dull vintage razor to passing the hanging hair test. It took an hour or so working with the 12K stone, but I persevered and managed to get it as sharp as most do here with a variety of stones. I have since touched up the edge twice with the 12K with just 15-20 round trip passes each time.

I'm not interested in restoration at this time so I don't think I will need a lot of stones. I will probably pick up another stone or two for work with the vintage blades I might buy in the future, but it will just be for minimum edge restorations not full blown honing.

Jimmy,

Thanks for the reply. I already searched the classifieds for someone to hone my razor(s) while I learn and get comfortable to doing it myself. It is my face and I have this thing against bleeding. So I'd rather have a sharp blade done by someone else until I hone my skills on honing. I have Japanese wetstones I use for my pocket knives and I get them shaving sharp. But my arm is not my face and I don't trust myself yet.

You make a good point about the no name razor. I guess I'll just spend the extra $20 plus shipping for the DOVO Best Value. I assume that's a good razor since the Razor's to avoid section said to avoid "Best Quality" but had a footnote stating not to confuse that with the DOVO Best Quality. Again, thanks.

Oh, btw, since I'm big on DYI, I just purchased a Flinn Wedge or something in those lines razor on ebay for $5.50. I don't plan on using it. Just bought it cuz it was dingy and I thought I'd try my luck at polishing it up. So, anybody, was it worth it for a DYI project?

Minnies,

I missed your post as I was typing my reply. Thanks for your input. I agree, I'll stay away from the no name blade. I already have three hones, Japanese whetstones 1000 grit and 4000 grit, and a black Arkansas hard stone. Oh, and ceramic rods. But those are for my pocket knives. I was planning on using the Jap stones for the razor, eventually. For now I'll let a pro do it.

I recommend picking up a used shave ready blade here or B&B, or picking up an ebay special for cheap and having a member here hone it. That way you can be sure you like straight shaving before throwing down $200 to get started.

Just my advice, its what I did.

The "Wedge" you bought off Ebay is probably 4/8" wide and will shave just fine once cleaned up and honed properly. $5.50 is a good price.

Welcome to the SRP,

I had purchased a razor locally, before I had found this site.
Came to find out it was not shave sharp. I, therefore bought a Dovo Special from SRD and found that although I nick myself a little, the shave is still comfortable! I am sure with a bit more practice, it will be Fantastic!

Definitely get a reputable razor that is shave ready. Just my opinion but buying a shave ready razor was well worth the extra expense for me.

Good luck!

Lu

My advice would be to pass on the new razors and go for a good vintage blade, either from the classifieds here or off of ebay. I bought the following razors from ebay all for less than $50 each.

Keen Kutter
Case Red Imp
Dubl Duck Satin Edge
Dubl Duck Golden Edge
Geneva Seneca Chief
Boker Red Injun 101

Frankly, I don't understand how Dovo and others can charge what they do for new razors.

As far as honing goes, I never found it difficult and I have honed all of my razors from day one. If, however, you are nervous about doing this yourself, there are a number of people who will hone it for you for a reasonable fee.

+1 on looking in the classifieds.

Most of them will come shave ready, and you can get a much better razor for less!

-Rob