Thread: first straight razor recommendations

Like I said, I'm looking to buy a razor that I can not only learn on, but to use for a long time.

You can shave with _any_ good razor (everything you're looking at is a good razor) until the blade gets too narrow to hone well. That should take many years, if not decades.

"Razor acquisition disorder" has nothing to do with what _works_ in daily shaving.

I've also been looking at the Hart. But with one Dovo "Best Quality" (5/8" round point), and a bunch of vintage blades that shave nicely, I can't justify the expense.

Have fun, whatever you decide on . . .

Charles

Thanks for the recommendation

A full hollow sounded good to me in the first place really, I don't know much on grinds at all, but I know a full hollow sounds to be good and all I know that it might provide is a larger space for lather to build as you shave kinda like a cup lol, sorry bad analogy for lack of better prose.

I'm getting a bit excited so, and I already know I have a big case of RAD, just my pocket book restrains me rofl other wise I would be having a purse full of straits and safety razors lol

You cant go wrong with a DOVO Best IMO. They're well made, theres no risk in buying one and enough of us have one that you can always get advice.

Plus they shave great..!

Thanks everyone for all the advice. Bought my first razor today. I went with the
hart steel. I know its against the general consensus, but couldn't pass it up. Can't wait to start shaving with it! Here's to many years of great shaves and great discussion!

Originally Posted by shumake772

Thanks everyone for all the advice. Bought my first razor today. I went with the
hart steel. I know its against the general consensus, but couldn't pass it up. Can't wait to start shaving with it! Here's to many years of great shaves and great discussion!

Interesting choice. I'm not that familiar with Hart Steel razors. I imagine they are good quality. Let us know what you think of it.

Nice thread, I kinda know what I want and some thing in a round tip as I read on here but some thing in like maybe a 7/8 or so as 5/8 looks dainty.

My main question I guess aside from the little intricacies would be...do I need more than one? As I have read that these types or razors needs a "Rest" period? I suppose due to fatigue in the metal or some thing due to shaving all the time? If so wouldn't it be likely that 2 straights would do the job in rotation?

Originally Posted by Tartarus

Nice thread, I kinda know what I want and some thing in a round tip as I read on here but some thing in like maybe a 7/8 or so as 5/8 looks dainty.

My main question I guess aside from the little intricacies would be...do I need more than one? As I have read that these types or razors needs a "Rest" period? I suppose due to fatigue in the metal or some thing due to shaving all the time? If so wouldn't it be likely that 2 straights would do the job in rotation?

You don't need more than one. If you do get more than one, that means that more time will go by before either razor needs any honing.

Ah ok, I was brought to wonder on this concept because of talk some where that each razor needs a rest time, thus why there are 7 day razor sets and so on. But that is likely rich guys talking connoisseur stuff, there is so much info out there it is about nuts so I think I am just sticking to this place as ppl seem to know what their talking about.

I'm a blue collar guy so, things are tough all over in my tier of society and things suck for the most part but am trying to get into collage for a better term of employment so hopefully if things go as I want it will get better.

Originally Posted by Tartarus

Nice thread, I kinda know what I want and some thing in a round tip as I read on here but some thing in like maybe a 7/8 or so as 5/8 looks dainty.

I promise:

When you bring a 5/8" razor up to your throat for the first time, it won't look so "dainty".

Most of the antique-shop blades I've seen are in the 5/8 - 6/8 range. I figure that's how most razors were made. And they were made that way because they worked pretty well, for most people.

Charles

Seems to be sound advice these folks are giving you. The only thing that I would add would to be to make the purchase of my first straight razor to include a professional first sharpening from the folks that you are purchasing it from ( especially if it is from Straight Razor Designs, Lynn and his crew do a fantastic job on honing the razors ). It may cost extra, but it will be worth it and the shave will be much better. Nothing worse than a really terrible, uncomfortable shave; nothing better than a very comfortable, smooth, relaxing shave.