Quote Originally Posted by jleeg View Post
I'd clearly stay with a round point in a full, quarter or half hollow; and in carbon steel and not stainless. Wedge and pts are an acquired taste and tougher to learn on in my opinion. I also found stainless (Inox) to give a harsher shave when I began....though if really put in shave ready condition there should be no difference. I get a better result stropping a carbon blade over stainless. May get some disagreement on this point.

I like the idea of using a blade offered in the classifieds here that a member knows to be a great beginner blade (not that it wouldnt be superb for anyone) in great shave ready condition. Don't worry so much about the scales.

Certainly anything from SRD will be shave ready and a good blade.

These are all excellent points. I prefer a hollow to a wedge, just personal preference, and carbon steel over stainless. I'd always recommend a hollow, and a round point to a new str8 shaver. It's easy to cut your ear with a spike when learning, it's even easy to cut your ear when your experienced, like me...Ha...So, if you do get a spike, keep that in mind when shaving.