Thread: Newby's story; classic question.

Hi all,

New guy here. A quick story of how I ended up here and then a question/request for input.

I get my hair cut at a local barber shop (San Antonio, TX) and am usually happy with the results. They've been rotating barbers between stores lately and it's a crap-shoot whether one of the two I actually like will be at the store by my house.

So the other day I am out with my 12 y.o. daughter getting donuts (for lunch, no less!) and we park in front of a "men's salon" I'd heard of but handn't ventured into simply because of price, which is about twice what my regular barber charges. But my daughter liked the look of the place and asked if we could go there instead of driving ALL the way to the regular place. Funny what a 12 year old's perception of a 10 minute drive is. So I said, "why not."

First off, you have to love a place that offers you a FREE cold Shiner, on tap, before you get your hair cut. Then a very nice woman set about massaging my scalp, washing and cutting my hair, rinsing, putting a hot towel on my face, moiturizing/massaging my face and, shaving my neck with what I now know is a "shavette". I've had my neck shaved with a straight razor for the last 10 years, so this wasn't really anything new. The results have varied, but she did an excellent job of pre/post shave care. During this pampering we were discussing the use of a straight razor and why men have gone away from that. She said that I really should come back in and let her shave me as there was "nothing smoother or more soothing." I thought that might be a nice treat, but then I started wondering why she could do that and I couldn't. So I started surfing for info (anyone else here suffer from mild OCD??) and found this great forum.

I've done the research, know what kind of soap I'm going to try first (MB), have a mug, and the wife just told me she has some Nivea face moisturizer that should serve as a good place to start my post shave care.

I've picked the strop (bridle) and brush (Simpson B4) and am deciding on the razor. I want to go the new route and am pretty sure I'll be buying from SRD as they promise a razor honed by some guy named "Lynn". I'd rather start with a tool I know is good and blame the outcome on the craftsman.

So here's the question: Dovo Bismarck or Black Star? I would also consider the Ebony, though I wonder if the spike is just asking for it since I'm a complete novice. I'm 5'9" and my hands are relatively small, so I'm torn between 5/8 and 6/8, though leaning more toward 5/8. I've read the FAQ, but I'm also smart enough to realize there's a difference between a 6'5" newbie and a 5'9" one. Side note: why do they make socks for shoe sizes 6-12???

Is there another option I'm not considering? Not really interested in the plastic handled "Best Quality" or Boker King Cutter.

Thanks in advance for the your help,

--David

Welcome to SRP! We're glad to have you with us!

It sounds like you've done your homework reading the Wiki and here on the site, which is great!

The strop and brush you've picked are good ones, and they will serve you well. I'm guessing the bridle strop is the SRD Premium IV? I've heard nothing but good things about that one..!

I have both the Black Star (it was my first razor in fact!) and the Bismarck and both are great razors, great shavers, well made and a delight to use. I personally prefer the Bismarck, just because I like wider blades, the shoulderless design and the mirror finish and spine work. So its really a looks thing for me...!

In a blind shave test, going purely by the feel of the razor on the skin I'd be hard pressed to tell them apart. They both give me BBS shaves and are both great to use, so I'd just say go with whichever one you like the look of! They're both great and I wouldnt get rid of either of them!

Lynn is actually the founder of both SRP and SRD and what he doesnt know about straight razors isnt worth knowing..! I've got a Boker from SRD that he honed and its got a killer edge on it and is a great shaver, so if you buy your razor from him you can be sure it will be truly shave ready. SRD's service is also excellent and both Lynn and Don are more than willing to help with any questions you may have.

Welcome again, good luck and keep us posted!

Welcome to SRP, David,

SRD is one of several choices, and one of the more reputable sellers. That Lynn fella allegedly knows a bit about honing, so you should be on the safe side.

You might find the Black Star easier to handle, because it has upper and lower jimps. The Ebony does come with a round point, too, by the way.

Happy shopping,
Robin

I started with rotating a 6/8 round point and a 5/8 square point razor, at first the 6/8 was my favorite, since it was was easier to keep flat on the strop and I felt more at ease with the round point, the 5/8 was my favorite for getting into the tighter spots and trimming around my goatee, but it seemed to want to skip easier, if my lather dried a little and got sticky, because of the weight difference I suppose. The more experienced I have gotten the 5/8 becomes more and more my blade of choice. I havent cut myself anymore with the square point than the round point, I do pay a little closer attention to the square point, but since we should always pay close attention to our razors, I dont think different points makes much difference, as far as safety goes.

Welcome! Hope to hear about your first shave.

Originally Posted by raneyday

Hi all,


they promise a razor honed by some guy named "Lynn".
--David

thats to funny..... welcome abaord, i like the spike points better because when the edge ends the blade ends and there is not a 1/4 inch of metal that does nothing having to get turned just right to get the cutting edge where i need it...that sounds pretty good a beer while you wait for the haircut....you dont have to buy new if you feel like saving a few $ you can get one you like off the classifieds the wider blades are def easier to strop but the 5/8 is easier to navigate around my face than a big 7/8 but thats just my .02 good luck with whatever you pick and just have fun

I think this is one of those YMMV issues. I've got 4/8 through 6/8 in round and spike point. The smaller razors can be more maneuverable but the slight extra weight of the 6/8 can aid in the razor not jumping. The round versus spike is also personal preference. As others have pointed out they're great for trimming. However in my case they always scratch me when I'm shaving a certain part of my neck, just can't seem to get around it except for muting the point. My personal favorite is my 6/8 red Bismarck round point (I think I got from that guy Lynn whats-his-name)

Welcome aboard and here's wishing you many great shaves.

Pelkey

Originally Posted by Stubear

The strop and brush you've picked are good ones, and they will serve you well. I'm guessing the bridle strop is the SRD Premium IV?

So its really a looks thing for me...!

You're right on the strop.

I've found that the "looks thing" can be important. If the (name the tool) doesn't inspire you, you may be less inclined to use it.

Originally Posted by BAMARACING8

thats to funny

I'm glad you got the joke!

Originally Posted by BeBerlin

You might find the Black Star easier to handle, because it has upper and lower jimps. The Ebony does come with a round point, too, by the way.

I didn't know either of those facts. Thanks for sharing the information!

Originally Posted by jasongreat

...I do pay a little closer attention to the square point, but since we should always pay close attention to our razors, I dont think different points makes much difference, as far as safety goes.

I had that same thought, actually. Thanks for validating it.

Originally Posted by bobpell

My personal favorite is my 6/8 red Bismarck round point (I think I got from that guy Lynn whats-his-name)

However in my case they always scratch me when I'm shaving a certain part of my neck, just can't seem to get around it except for muting the point.

My neck hair grows in a coupel of different directions, so I had that thought too.

I'm leaning towards the Bismarck, though the new info about the Ebony being available in a round point is giving me pause. The Bismarck in black might be the perfect "compromise".

I'm hoping to make a decisin tonight and place my order. I'll post more when I do. Thanks to everyone for the great information and all the welcoming comments.

--David

David,

Welcome to SRP...

Yes, it does certainly appear that you have done your homework. As for your razor dilemma...Blade size is a personal choice, although for a newbie I would recommend starting with the smaller width.

I would tend to agree with BEBerlin. Although the width of the blade is a personal preference, the 5/8" width of the Dovo "Black Star" makes it a bit more manueverable on your face. In fact, a Black Star from SRD with Red Pakkawood scales was my very first str8 razor and I love it, although I must confess that if I could do it again I'd purchase the Dovo "Special" with imitation Tortoise shell scales or handles. The difference in cost is not the quality of the blade steel, its the etching on the blade, etc. and/or the different scales or handles that account for the difference in cost. If your heart is really set on the Black Star, however, get it. You won't be disappointed.

One small suggestion with respect to your strop...Consider investing a little more and get the longer bridle strop. The greater length makes stropping your razor a lot easier.

BTW...As BeBerlin points out, the Dovo 5/8" "Ebony" does come with a round point.

Take care--and smooth shaving.

Thanks, jhenry. I'll look into it. I think anything that makes stroping easier is worth the investment.

--David