Round or Spike Point for a Newbie?

Hello all, I am back for some more advice.

I received my Dovo Inox 5/8 razor from SRD and one of the scales was bowed so I returned it. Due to that particular scale material, Pearlex, I was told they are all bowed to some extent so I now have the opportunity to keep it, get a refund, or go with a different razor. I decided to get a different razor which brings me to my question.

So far I have been picking razors just by looks and I like the looks of the wedge blade over the full hollow ground and I also like the look of the Spike Point over the Round. When I ordered the Inox I didn't see any but now SRD is offering a Dovo Spike Point razor which I assume is a wedge blade as they only show one picture.

Is one recommended better than the other for a newbie? Maybe a better question is which to get first as I'm sure I'll have both eventually.

I have a thin beard that grows in every direction on my neck so I only shave once a week and I have shaved with a No Sharpen straight razor 3 or 4 times if that matters.

Thank you!

I don't believe any of the new Dovos are wedges but I could be wrong. As for the tip I would recommend sticking to a round point to start...they're more forgiving..that spike point can bite you and bad if you don't really pay attention. Of course its up to you...if you allready have a round point to get comfortable with and can get a spike and hold off using it until your comfort level is up..then go for it:)

Personally I don't believe the salesperson who told you that all pearlex scales are bowed to some extent. Mine are perfect to my perfectionists eye. Must be some serious quality control issues over in the Dovo factory these days if he/she is telling it straight (no pun intended).

Spike or round point, wedge or hollow, the choice lies with the user, just remember to take extra care with the spike and you'll be fine. I don't go for spikes personally. Round, French or Square for me.


Mick

If SRD told you the Pearlex are all bowed,then the info is sound.SRD would not steer you wrong.Also They will tell in the description of all their razors whether it's a wedge or not.DOVO doesn't make any wedges currently.If you have a thin beard,I would not recommend a wedge.A 6/8 might help you as there is more stability in the blade,but it's more technique than anything that's going to help you out and that comes with time.Many folks here have beards that grow in all directions.The blade isn't going to do much for that.Your technique will.Let me make a recommendation for you.The DOVO Astrale 5/8 is a half hollow ground and SRD carries it.That will give you some stability and also give you a little maneuverability as at the same time.Wider blades= ridgid,less wider=maneuverability .Wedges are for mowing through tough stubble and more hollow grinds are for finer beards.Lynn Abrams who founded this site and is one of the proprietors of SRD is an expert in the field of straight razors .He or Don will give you great advice.Also the Best quality and the DOVO Special are very good shavers and good on the budget.All DOVOs shave the same.The more bling on them,the more the price that's all really.Ask them many questions and they will give you many good answers ,and as always READ THE WIKI.Good luck,hope this helps you .:gl:

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Originally Posted by Nightblade

The DOVO Astrale 5/8 is a half hollow ground and SRD carries it.That will give you some stability and also give you a little maneuverability as at the same time.Wider blades= ridgid,less wider=maneuverability.

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I do like the Astrale but it is less than what I paid for the Pearlex, I assume SRD would rather do an even swap or have me upgrade.

The two I was looking at is the Micarta showing a reduced price right now and the Bismark Spike Point but I think I'll hold off on the Spike Point for now based on all the suggestions. Boker has a nice stainless half hollow at a reduced price too. Not sure if Dovo is better than Boker or vice versa.

Decisions, decisions, decisions, I'm losing my mind. I can't wait to start so I want to tell Don which one I want tomorrow.

I was told by Don that the Bokers are very nice.....But then again SRD wouldn't carry them if thay didn't believe in the product.The King cutter is nice looking.It says Spanish point,but it's really more like a rounded Dovo point as I had asked about that.I'm sure they will fix you up right matey ! Let us all know how it goes eh.:gl::gl:

Spikes are good if you have a mo or a beard and need to trim exactly around what you want to leave behind. Otherwise round points don't cut as much.

bmf,

If you are just beginning straight razor shaving, I would recommend a round point. Spikes look good and I have found that they are great for shaving hard to get at areas of your face, especially close to the ear, etc., but doing so can be a bit tricky, if you aren't careful.

Try a 5/8 Dovo "Special." If your heart is really set on a spike point get a 5/8 Dovo "Ebony" spike point. I really like the Bokers, but they don't currently offer any spike points. Try a 5/8 Boker "Edelweiss" or a 5/8 Boker "Stainless" for starters. BTW...Dovo doesn't make any wedges. All of their razors are either full or extra hollow ground.

All of the above are beautiful razors and good shavers.

I hope these suggestions help.

Spike points have their advantages. Some of the old time barbers used to very slightly blunt the tip. If you concentrate on the job in hand, and you should always do that, then a spike point is fine.

For learning, I would go with a round point. There's enough to worry about at first, without the added pressure of trying to avoid a serious tip gouge in your cheek.

IMO, I'd favour the dovo's over the Boker's. They seem to feel better on my skin. But, each person is different, so you may love the boker's.

Maxi

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.

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Originally Posted by jleeg

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.

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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.

Thanks to everyone as always.

I just sent my email to Don and chose the Ivory Micarta 5/8 that is currently on sale. As I am a newbie I am sure I will eventually have a Carbon, a Spike Point, and many other razors in the future. Right now I just want to get started perfecting my technique and skill.

Thanks again!

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Originally Posted by jhenry

BTW...Dovo doesn't make any wedges. All of their razors are either full or extra hollow ground.

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Dovo does make their Best Quality in 5/8 and 6/8 half hollow, but not many vendors seem to stock them. They also make a 3/8 wedge which is again not commonly stocked.

If you are using proper technique, the spike won't cut you more than a round. Problem is no beginner has good technique, particularly many use too much pressure. Too much pressure + spike point = cut face. Not just nicks either, but real cuts. There are many regular spike users who purposefully dull the tip so they don't have to worry about it so much.

Heh...I fully admit to liking round tips.Maybe someday when I'm feeling adventurous I will get a spike,but I'm perfectly okay with where I'm at with my Dovo Best quality and Special.I was not aware of that 3/8 wedge ,hmmm might have to take a look at that.Thanks for the heads up.

Learning to straight shave with a spike point is a lot like learning to ride a bicycle without training wheals. You'll probably learn faster, but you'll need some bandaids along the way.

I learned with a spike, and I only nicked myself with the tip a few times before I figured it out.