Thread: New User Questions

I'm going to give straights a try. I am currently a DE shaver. I need to get a razor. Does the width of the blade matter? What is recommended? Also just for my knowledge what is the intent of a 7 day set? Thank you in advance.

Its mostly personal preference although some say (including myself) that wider blades shave better because of the greater amount of mass. 5/8 is a recommended starting point. Its all in the wiki.

Originally Posted by ShoreBird

I'm going to give straights a try. I am currently a DE shaver. I need to get a razor. Does the width of the blade matter? What is recommended? Also just for my knowledge what is the intent of a 7 day set? Thank you in advance.

Not really, sharp is sharp. Having said that, the smaller 5/8 size blades are easier to navigate for the beginner and come recommended. The intent of the 7-day set is just to keep from having to hone your razor as often. In the case of a set like this, you'll probably make it a year without honing as opposed to a single razor which would have to be honed every couple months.

Originally Posted by ShoreBird

what is the intent of a 7 day set?

I believe the origin is a sheer show of wealth & social standing. Straights were horrifically expensive tools. That's why barbers were so popular. It removed the necessity of ownership. To have seven of them, particularly scaled in something such as ivory would have required you to be rich.

You ought to get considerably more than a year, before you'd have to hone in my opinion, but it's dependant on the usual variables.

I'd go 5/8 or 6/8. Round point for ease, any other point if you want to bleed a little more often. Don't spend a fortune. Vintage from the classifieds for value, or possibly new from Dovo or Revisor.

Yea back in the day a seven day set was often times a customized thing and most wealthy people had them kind of like wearing a Rolex Watch these days. Later on they made more pedestrian seven day sets which weren't so expensive.

Yes, 5/8th's is normally recommended for new users. Dovo is a fine first razor. Be sure the check the classifieds. As mentioned, Round point would be the way to go.
7 day sets were a "prestige thing" back in the day. Having multiple razors cuts down on your frequency of honing...