Thread: Questions - after reading articles...

Originally Posted by JohnG10

I have a small/medium sized faces, and am a bit concerned that the 6/8 might too large to get under the nose well (my hairs grow up to the base of the nasal divide, and my nose is flat on the bottom, not upturned).

Get the 5/8. Your first razor purchase is usually the most stressful when it come to decision making. Avoid the stress of doubt. Once you get more comfortable with shaving, you will branch out to different size razors, THAT is a near certainty!

Originally Posted by JohnG10

Which do you think would helps me get less razor burn ?

I don't think this problem is a razor size problem but a shaving technique problem. I get razor burn from getting "heavy handed" with the razor instead of letting the razor do the work for you. I think others can (and hopefully will) confirm or deny this.

Originally Posted by JohnG10

Do you have to be really careful when stropping a full hollow to not push & bend / fold the blade at the narrow point ?

I couldn't imagine using so much force to bend a blade. However, I think that you can curl an edge just as easy on a 1/2 hollow than a full hollow with poor technique such as having way too much slack in the strop. (I could be wrong).

Originally Posted by JohnG10

In general, is the Dovo, Jaguar, TI, or Hart steels heat treats noticeably different ?

Maybe, but does it matter? I think you are getting way to technical for your first blade. Each manufacturer has their own way of doing things, it's the result not the process that is important here. Sure, one manufacturer may have an easier to sharpen blade while the other has a blade that the edge stays sharp for a longer time, and (from what I have gathered from this forum), that variability is often found even within the same brand! The important thing to know is that Dovo, TI, Hart, Boker, Revisor, et al are good razors (it is after all a very competative market place).

Originally Posted by JohnG10

Will a square point (Hart) tend to jab into the soft underside of my jawline where it joins my neck a lot more than a round point ?

I could say something cutesy like "not if you don't let it", but then I can almost wear a pierced earring now after my last shave....... so I just won't go there......

... and I won't talk about brushes either cuz that subject is now driving me crazy!

As far as strops, I recommend a nice hanging strop (I use paddles with diamond paste after honing). I would stress to learn to strop FIRST! Practice! Practice with a butter knife on a belt or buy Tony Miller's strop and get the extra practice strop. But get proficient before you put your nice new razor on that nice new strop! Or you will regret it!

.... don't ask me how I know......

Hope it helps.