Help, First Straight Razor: Buying options

If it were me, I'd go with the first one, the Dovo 5/8 in Ebony. I prefer my Dovo to my Boker's. You'll get as many different opinions as responses.

Are you more interested in cost, the style of scales, or the type of metal?

Maxi

If it's your first razor, each of your examples would serve well. By buying through SRD, you won't have to worry about it being shave ready - the only concern is not damaging that edge while you learn stropping.

You can pull the trigger on which ever one pleases you most and do so with confidence. Another thing to keep in mind is that you will want other blades soon - so you can experience different sizes/grinds, etc. Buying used from the forum members will stretch your dollar and allow more experimentation.

Either way, you'll soon be getting the best shaves of your life, and have the best help here you can imagine.

Best of luck, and have fun doing it!

The Dovo micarta is one of the smoothest shavers out there, and it helps when you are starting out to not get irritation. :gl:

All of those are in my price range, and I like all of them. I was leaning towards the dovo ebony first because I liked the idea of engraving my initials on it and someday passing down to one of my sons. However, even with that I am still at fork in the road, so to speak, because again, I like all of them. I guess I was looking to see if one was superior to the other in this list or which one has the better edge.

They are all good blades, just be sure they get honed by a pro. I like the idea of getting your initials in one and passing it on. A legacy is a good thing to bestow .

Yep just get whichever one you like the best. They will all serve you very well. personally I like the Dovo Micarta scales. In person they look really spiffy.

I think you'll like the Dovo Ebony. I have one very similar to it and I love it.

Why decide for just one? buy them all!:beer2:

I was also tempted by the Dovo all stainless for the same reasons as you, but ended up with the Dovo stainless w/ebony. The reason was a comment somewhere about the scales not balancing the blade well.

That's the only razor I bought brand new, and it was great to finally discover how sharp they should be. After that, though, it's been more fun to pick up vintage blades in different grinds.

Have fun!

For someone just starting which blade would be better, High carbon steel or stainless steel? Thanks for all the help in this crucial first step :bow

i'd say stainless, only because i've read so many posts of new guys claiming their razor just rusted by itself (i bet they didn't dry it properly, most likely leaving water trapped between the scales). and stainless steel will rust too, it's just a little bit more corrosion resistive than the other.

but other than that, if one takes proper care of the razor, doesn't matter much, the stainless steel edge will last a little bit longer, but again, it wouldn't be my deciding factor.

I have decided to go with the 5/8 Dovo ebony stainless steel, oh yeeaaah. Thank you for all of your guys help. I look forward to letting you guys know how everything goes