Thread: First Straight Razor Suggestions

Hi everyone, I am new to the world of straight razors and was wanting an opinion about which razor to buy. My three choices were between the: 1)Thiers-Issard Sheffield Silver Steel, Sicilian Olivewood, 5/8, 2)Professionally-Honed DOVO "Renaissance" SS 6/8
3)Professionally-Honed DOVO Engravable Bone Handle "Bismarck" 6/8
I have read the beginners guide and was wondering what your opinions were? Secondly I plan on buying the 4 sided paddle strop and Waterstone 8000 3". Any suggestion on those would also be helpful. Thank You in advance, Sam.

Those are all great razors, but I woulnd't recommend spending $240 on your first razor as not everyone sticks with it.

I have a dovo bismark, and its a great razor. I would recommend the Renaissance over it though as the Bismark doesnt' have any filing on the tang making it a little harder to grip than one like the renaissance that has filing.

I have a question about the strop. Is this one of the modular strops you are buying, or simply a 4 sided strop. I would recommend a modular, as the ability to replace the leather is awesome if you either nick up your strop, or want to have some pasted sides.

Also, skip the waterstone for now and just focus on learning to shave. All razors from classic shaving come shave ready, and by the time they will need their first honing, you will know if you want to stick with it or not.

Originally Posted by Mazzuca

Hi everyone, I am new to the world of straight razors and was wanting an opinion about which razor to buy. My three choices were between the: 1)Thiers-Issard Sheffield Silver Steel, Sicilian Olivewood, 5/8, 2)Professionally-Honed DOVO "Renaissance" SS 6/8
3)Professionally-Honed DOVO Engravable Bone Handle "Bismarck" 6/8
I have read the beginners guide and was wondering what your opinions were? Secondly I plan on buying the 4 sided paddle strop and Waterstone 8000 3". Any suggestion on those would also be helpful. Thank You in advance, Sam.

I would go for the Dovo Bismark. That is my razor and I love it although I have never tried the other ones....

I've heard that the TIs are made with harder steel, which will make them harder to hone if the time comes that you hone your own.

My only brand-new razor was a Dovo, though not one of the models you're looking at. I've been very happy with it.

Welcome aboard! I have to agree w/ markevans. Dont spend $240 on a SR. For whatever reason, this may not turn out to be your cup of tea. As I've told others, look in the classifieds here on SRP. You can get something very nice in the $50-$70 range, as I did. If it turns out SR shaving is something you're going to get into, then I'd think about dropping some serious coin on a brand new SR.

Welcome to your new obsession!

Originally Posted by roughkype

I've heard that the TIs are made with harder steel, which will make them harder to hone if the time comes that you hone your own.

My only brand-new razor was a Dovo, though not one of the models you're looking at. I've been very happy with it.

TI and Dovo both use a special molten lead dip as part of their manufacturing process. What will make steel harder is if it stainless steel over carbon steel. The stainless will be harder to hone, but it will also hold the edge longer.

Originally Posted by Mazzuca

Hi everyone, I am new to the world of straight razors and was wanting an opinion about which razor to buy. My three choices were between the: 1)Thiers-Issard Sheffield Silver Steel, Sicilian Olivewood, 5/8, 2)Professionally-Honed DOVO "Renaissance" SS 6/8
3)Professionally-Honed DOVO Engravable Bone Handle "Bismarck" 6/8
I have read the beginners guide and was wondering what your opinions were? Secondly I plan on buying the 4 sided paddle strop and Waterstone 8000 3". Any suggestion on those would also be helpful. Thank You in advance, Sam.

Sam,

+1 on the previous advice. For your first razor I wouldn't go with any of the razors you have selected. Their scales (handles) are very appealing aesthetically. For that reason they will cost more and you're not at all certain that you will stick with straight razor shaving. Then there is the very real possiblity that you will drop the razor or chip the blade while rinsing it while shaving. Bummer...

I would recommend starting out with a Dovo "Best Quality" or a vintage razor from the SRP "Classifieds" under $100. Better yet, get a razor-strop set from one of the vendors who advertises here at SRP. Then you will have everything you need to begin straight razor shaving without purchasing everything a la carte, which usually results in a higher total cost.

As for the waterstone...Skip it. I've been shaving for just over a year now and haven't needed to use a waterstone. In fact, honing is an entirely different skill.

For now focus on your basic straight razor shaving skills--stropping, bear prep, getting comfortable holding the razor, blade angle, post shave treatment.

I hope that this helps. Take care--and smooth shaving.

Originally Posted by Mazzuca

Hi everyone, I am new to the world of straight razors and was wanting an opinion about which razor to buy. My three choices were between the: 1)Thiers-Issard Sheffield Silver Steel, Sicilian Olivewood, 5/8, 2)Professionally-Honed DOVO "Renaissance" SS 6/8
3)Professionally-Honed DOVO Engravable Bone Handle "Bismarck" 6/8
I have read the beginners guide and was wondering what your opinions were? Secondly I plan on buying the 4 sided paddle strop and Waterstone 8000 3". Any suggestion on those would also be helpful. Thank You in advance, Sam.

I would go to this site Whipped Dog Straight Razor Sales and browse it. This is a site dedicated to beginners. It offers low-cost used razors, strops, and hones to give you a chance to see if straight razor shaving is for you.

If it is, those are beauties you have pointed out.

Hi Mazzuca,

I'd go with the Dovo Best if I was starting out. From what I've read, the finish is the main difference--not as much polish to the blade, plainer scales. If you decide that yes, this is a great new hobby, you can easily sell that Dovo on the Classifieds as you grow your collection with fancier stuff. You can get the Dovo Best in the more user-friently half hollow, too. I know The Superior Shave stocks them.

I've just ordered that modular strop as well, and did not spring for anything but the stock pads. I trust SRD to send out the right stuff the first time. There's a good discussion of the pads and their uses here, including a post from Lynn.

And here's another.

Best wishes.