Recommendations for razors

Hello SRP forum browsers,
I just recently started shaving with a straight razor and I absolutely love it. My fiancee and friend got me a whole kit for my birthday (strop, brush, bowl, soap, razor) and the razor they got me was a Dovo Shavette. It is great, but I am thinking of moving up to a razor with a fixed blade (non disposable) and was wondering if it is a good idea now or wait and shave with the shavette for a while longer. I have been shaving since the end of march/beginning of april and haven't had any nicks for the past 3-4 weeks.

I guess what I am asking is what kind of Grind/Width I should consider and which Point/Spine is the easiest to control?

I am also thinking of using my shavette without the blade in it to practice stropping, so i can get the motion down without gouging my strop and dulling any blades, is this a good idea or are there some unforseen consequences of it?

I thank and appreciate anyone who takes the time to read my post and help me with my ponderings.

I wouldn't think that that would be any problems getting a straight razor now. I think that you should look for something around 5/8 in size, a round point and with decent jimps for grip. Grind is subjective but a 1/4 hollow or a 1/2 hollow would be my suggestion .

Any time is a good time, for a straight.

+1 on the above, concerning a Round Point, 5/8. I would go with a full hollow, but that's my preference for razors. They have a bit more flex to them.

Also, good on you for practicing to strop without a blade in your shavette. Stropping may well be one of the most challenging aspects of straight razor maintenance.

I'd say to check out Straight Razor Designs for your new razor. You know it'll come shave ready, which will eliminate one variable from your learning curve.

Good luck.

thank you for great input, what would a round point give me vs a square/spike? and i thought i would like the full hollow too, but how does the full hollow flex compare with a 1/2 or 1/4 and what sort of maintenance leeway is there on each ie. margin of error for stropping?

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Originally Posted by Spaceghostster

thank you for great input, what would a round point give me vs a square/spike? and i thought i would like the full hollow too, but how does the full hollow flex compare with a 1/2 or 1/4 and what sort of maintenance leeway is there on each ie. margin of error for stropping?

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A round point will stop you nicking yourself with the tip of a square point which beginners tend to do. Grind is just really personal preference both have their pro's and con's. Maintenance is pretty much the same. I think that a 1/4 to 1/2 hollow is a little more forgiving with a new users stropping technique than a full hollow.

Agreeing on the hollow recommendation from personal experience. My first straight was a Friodur which was a full hollow and it made my first few shaves quite unpleasant. Then i bought a nice old W&B wedge and had a much easier time getting the hang of it. Best of luck to you and happy Shaving!

Welcome to SRP!

Straight razor certainly has different feel than shavette, plus you can use the strop with it. As far as round vs. square point, the difference is that with the square poing you know exactly where the edge ends, while with a round point you have a couple of millimeters of 'cushion' if your depth perception is bad and you overshoot towards your ear. I like square points far better, other people prefer round points.
There's no difference stropping any grind of razor, the edge is pretty much the same geometry and stropping errors can kill it just the same. There's difference in the feedback you'll get - full hollow razors make noise, while 1/4 hollow razors do not. The important part is to keep the spine of the razor in contact with the strop, the edge will take care of itself.

all of this is great input, which brands would you recommend for starting out with a new or used razor, given the 5/8 square or round full hollow?

For new razors you have about 3-5 options, which you have probably figured out yourself. Otherwise here's an example of popular brands:
Good Straight Razor Brands - Straight Razor Place Wiki

You"re Ready! I find a shavette much less forgiving than any straight. As for grind and blade shape, you will sooner or later try them all, and make up your own mind. But, for starting out, any good quality round point, with a 1\2 grind would be hard to beat. Very Best Regards and Happy Shaving, wildhog

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Originally Posted by wildhog

You"re Ready! I find a shavette much less forgiving than any straight. As for grind and blade shape, you will sooner or later try them all, and make up your own mind. But, for starting out, any good quality round point, with a 1\2 grind would be hard to beat. Very Best Regards and Happy Shaving, wildhog

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You are so right wildhog. If your thinking about going str8's, now is the time. Don't waste any more time with a shavette. There are a lot of different folks who are more than happy to help you get your first razor fairly inexpensively. Try the classified's here for some used, shave ready biginners razors (you know, the 5/8's, round tip, any grind greater than a wedge, etc.). If you are already fixed with a brush, bowl, etc.. you shouldn't have to spend more than 70$ to get a great, shave ready blade.

SRD's Dovo Special is a great start, any roundtip from whippeddog.com comes honed by LarryAndro from here. But the important point is to get a great razor to start with, so you don't have to worry that your face look's like hamburger from the blade, and not your technique :) . Watch the stropping video's provided on here carefully. There's some great examples. If you get your blade from SRD it comes with a Certificate for a free honing when it needs it again. Which is another reason to have more than 1 str8 in your kit. The more sharp razor's you have and use, the less often any of them will need to be honed. Unless you discover a favorite and use that one more than the others.

Stay away from any of the razor's on the 'Bad Razor List' for a new razor. Buy a Dovo, Boker or Theirs-issard if buying new, stay away from China, Pakistani and India junk razors. I bought a few junkers before I discovered this place and bought my first one from SRD.

'nuff ramblin'... Getcha a blade and get started on the learning curve.. There's nothing like the quest for a close shave.

Good luck!!

I prefer a round point because the outer edge (round point) will not nick into my face like my old shavette's disposable blade did. I like the maneuverabilit of the round point.