Confirm/refute my assessment and please give suggestion

In reading through posts, threads, and tutorials, I think I have gleaned two suggestions for a first razor:

-A 6/8 is better than a 5/8 because it is easier to establish and keep a flatter angle along the face
-A 1/2 hollow grind is easier to maintain than a full hollow grind for a beginner

First, please correct any misunderstandings or add your 2 cents to my two above statements.
And second, which is more important? here's why --

I want to purchase my first straight from SRD because of information gathered here. I like the Dovo best quality, but SRD only carries the 6/8 in full hollow, and their 1/2 hollow is only availible in 5/8.

Any reccommendations, suggestions, or further discussion on the matter are very welcomed.

thanks a lot, Gags

I don't think it will make much difference either way. Eventually, you'll probably have 50 razors, like some of us, so it's just a matter of personal preference. It may be too early for you at this point to even have a preference, and that is what makes starting out so much fun. If you like to hear a razor "sing", or think you would like to, get the full hollow. You'll be happy with either one. If not, please send it to me. Good luck!

Your two claims have some merit I guess.

The recommendation for both half hollow and 6/8 are mainly based on the fact that they are middle of the road products.

This means that you can go either way after trying it out.
It could prove to be to big for you, then you can go down a size. Or up if it's to big.
And the grind gives you two ways to go after that first 1/2 hollow.
Towords full hollow or towards the more wedge like side of the spectrum.

I would not worry to much about it to be honest.
The 6/8 full hollow and the 5/8 half hollow is both fine starter razors in my opinion.
Get the one you like the most.

For the record, I started with a singing 5/8 and loved it from the get go:)

I speak from reading and not from experience...

My understanding is that one should start with
- a shave-ready razor ! (most important)
- a round point ("safer") (second most important)
- a 6/8, 7/8, or 8/8 ("larger")
- 1/2, 1/4, or less hollow ("heavier, stiffer")
- (really optional) a stainless blade (less rust, edge last longer)

You can easily find that from $30 to $70 USD on SRP's classifieds (as long as it is "shave ready" from a trusted seller).

cheers
christophe

Thanks for the suggestion Patrick-
I am leaning toward that razor with a 3" "natural" strop combo - I emailed the guys at SRD and they said the natural can be substituted for the latigo. This seems like a nice middle of the road model. As for the other stuff, I have been using soap since way back in my disposable bic shaver days, so I am good (so far, but more will come!) with a few soaps, creams, brushes, and the like. I started shaving with a Shavette about two months ago so I have been building my routine and preferences, so now it's the next step I have to take.

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Originally Posted by Joegags

Thanks for the suggestion Patrick-
I am leaning toward that razor with a 3" "natural" strop combo - I emailed the guys at SRD and they said the natural can be substituted for the latigo. This seems like a nice middle of the road model. As for the other stuff, I have been using soap since way back in my disposable bic shaver days, so I am good (so far, but more will come!) with a few soaps, creams, brushes, and the like. I started shaving with a Shavette about two months ago so I have been building my routine and preferences, so now it's the next step I have to take.

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My pleasure Sir!
Trying to shave with that shavette almost made me want to give up trying to straight razor shave until I got my 6/8 BQ starter kit. I still make some fundamental mistakes when I straight razor shave, but the craft is still an ongoing learning process.
My wife likes being the only wife in her group of friends whose husband shaves with a straight razor. She thinks it's really awesome.
I always have posted in this forum: "We are taking a mundane daily chore and turning it into a pleasureable ritual."
Wishing you much success and many great shaves! Can't wait to read your post on your first shave with the BQ 6/8!
Patrick

I don't think the 6/8 razor is the average entry razor. Rather, I believe it to be 5/8. In fact, buying a 6/8 to begin with might cost you more money. And, needlessly.

I believe you will do well with any razor from 4/8 thru 6/8, from half hollow to full hollow, and with any type point as long as you have the honer dull the tip of square tipped razors.

Just try something! You can't know what baseball bat you will prefer until you try a few. The same with straights.

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Originally Posted by LarryAndro

I don't think the 6/8 razor is the average entry razor. Rather, I believe it to be 5/8. In fact, buying a 6/8 to begin with might cost you more money. And, needlessly.

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I started with a 5/8, but subsequently found I prefer wider blades, I find them easier to shave with and strop. Starting over again I'd purchase a wider blade.
In terms of 'entry level' kit for any enterprise, purchasing something that is 'entry level' usually means that you have to 'upgrade'. Best to start with something 'better' initially.
Unless you bang it against a tap (faucet) you will likely do more damage to your face than the blade during the learning process.

The facination with huge blades perplexes me,suppose it is what one can adapt to.
I started with a 4/8 only because it was given to me,was easy to use having a stash and gotee at the time,is still in my rotation when I want a quick shave.
I do have some 15/16 blades but having a wrist full of pins and fused bone I cannot swing the biggins anymore,5/8-6/8 max for me.

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Originally Posted by pixelfixed

The facination with huge blades perplexes me...

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Some time back, I read an old barbers manual that suggested 4/8 for first time straight razor shavers. At the least, smaller width blades should be tried at some point.

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Originally Posted by LarryAndro

Some time back, I read an old barbers manual that suggested 4/8 for first time straight razor shavers. At the least, smaller width blades should be tried at some point.

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I have 5/8ths, 6/8ths and 4/8ths razors. I like the 6/8ths & 4/8ths best.
The 4/8ths is amazing for tight detail. It's a half hollow which is nice.
I enjoy the sounds of the full hollow but I also like the silent ninja aspect of my wedge.
Quite honestly I think the smaller blades are easier to learn with. Hollowness is preference. Wedges have more weight to more easily slice through hairs but with hollower grinds you get audible feedback.

I actually have a 7 day set of 4/8s,my son refers to them as dads girlie razors:)
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...dlecone/f7.jpg

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Originally Posted by pixelfixed

I actually have a 7 day set of 4/8s,my son refers to them as dads girlie razors:)
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...dlecone/f7.jpg

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If they're too girlie for ya you can send them my way ;).

Pixelfixed:

Beautiful razors! Beautiful case.

I always enjoy seeing this set!!!

Omg omg, that's a beautiful bunch!

To the OP:
Based on what I've read here, I also thought about (and finally bought) a 5/8 as my first "shave ready" razor to go along with the grand-grandpa's (also a 5/8). After shaving with it, I found it very good... that is until last week when received a 4/8 half-hollow Biedermeier from ebay. After cleaning up and some sharpening, proceeded to shave and bang, instant love :) , found it quite easier and pleasant to shave with, mostly in the more challenging areas, such as chin and neck sides. I'm still using the other two 5/8-s, but I definitely prefer the 4/8. So, for me (and my beard :) ) a 4/8 turned to be nicer to use as a beginner.

Regards,
Adrian

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Originally Posted by LarryAndro

Some time back, I read an old barbers manual that suggested 4/8 for first time straight razor shavers. At the least, smaller width blades should be tried at some point.

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4/8s are pretty maneuverable and I have one myself, but I prefer the 6/8 and 5/8 blades. The 4/8 I have is an antique that I paid $8 for and I restored it. It was the razor that I first learned to hone. I have shaved with it a few times, but again, I prefer the wider blades.

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Originally Posted by pixelfixed

I actually have a 7 day set of 4/8s,my son refers to them as dads girlie razors:)

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Girlie razors my eye! That's an awesome set! What does your son want you to use, a machete?:rofl2:

I have concluded that the size of the 4/8 blade scales is more important than the size of the blade. Some 4/8 razors have correspondingly small scales, and those I don't like as much. Some 4/8 razors have about the same size scales as some 5/8, and those I like a lot.

The 4/8 blade that comes with a relatively larger scales gives a greater sense of feel, I believe, that you get with larger blades.

Some years ago, I had a blade with a deep chip. Rather than throw it out, for grins I ground out the chip on a bench grinder, honed it, and ended up with a blade that was about 7/16. But, it had a 6/8 scales. I loved that razor! The ease of control, and the sense of feel I had was eye opening. That is when I realized that the width wasn't as important as the scales for me.

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Originally Posted by LarryAndro

I have concluded that the size of the 4/8 blade scales is more important than the size of the blade. Some 4/8 razors have correspondingly small scales, and those I don't like as much. Some 4/8 razors have about the same size scales as some 5/8, and those I like a lot.

The 4/8 blade that comes with a relatively larger scales gives a greater sense of feel, I believe, that you get with larger blades.

Some years ago, I had a blade with a deep chip. Rather than throw it out, for grins I ground out the chip on a bench grinder, honed it, and ended up with a blade that was about 7/16. But, it had a 6/8 scales. I loved that razor! The ease of control, and the sense of feel I had was eye opening. That is when I realized that the width wasn't as important as the scales for me.

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Interesting post! I made new scales for that antique 4/8 Geneva and I used the original scales as my pattern. For my big mitts, the scales are too small for them. I'll get around to make a new set of scales and make them larger. I bet that razor will shave even better with the larger scales.

Personally, I would go with the 5/8 half-hollow. I find the grind more important than the blade width. And for me, a heavier grind is much better. My full and extra hollows might give a marginally closer shave, but they definitely leave me with a bit of razor burn that the heavier grinds don't.

Anymore I find myself only interested in wedges to maybe 1/4 hollows. In fact, once I have a few more posts under my belt, I will probably be listing my full and extra hollows on the classifieds here to finance a 7/8 Hart.

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Originally Posted by fyrfyter43

Personally, I would go with the 5/8 half-hollow. I find the grind more important than the blade width. And for me, a heavier grind is much better. My full and extra hollows might give a marginally closer shave, but they definitely leave me with a bit of razor burn that the heavier grinds don't.

Anymore I find myself only interested in wedges to maybe 1/4 hollows. In fact, once I have a few more posts under my belt, I will probably be listing my full and extra hollows on the classifieds here to finance a 7/8 Hart.

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Have you tried really easing up on the pressure and just allow the razor's natural pressure to do the work? I have read folks here describe straight razor shaving as "only removing the lather and the beard hair comes off with it." Also I found slow and short strokes to be helpful too.

Wow, you've gotten a lot of feedback since 10:30 this morning. I didn't read all the responses, so forgive me if this is redundant. I think your choice is exactly the right one for a beginning shaver. You can get half-hollow Dovo Best Quality razors in 5/8 and 6/8 sizes from The Superior Shave. I've done lots of business with him and he's a good guy. Yes, the blades will be shave ready.

Best wishes to you.

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Originally Posted by pmburk

Have you tried really easing up on the pressure and just allow the razor's natural pressure to do the work? I have read folks here describe straight razor shaving as "only removing the lather and the beard hair comes off with it." Also I found slow and short strokes to be helpful too.

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Yup, I've tried lightening up on pressure, changing angle, etc. I've been shaving with straights for about a year now. Full and extra hollows have always given me some burn. I didn't think much of it until I got my first wedge a couple months ago. I've used that razor exclusively for about a month and a half, and the only time I've had any burn at all is if I tried too hard for a BBS shave.

I went back to a full hollow this weekend to see if maybe I could get a better shave with it. The razor only has about 5 shaves since I bought it from SRD, so I know it's sharp. The shave wasn't bad, but I had a lot more burn than usual.

It may very well be technique, and maybe a wedge is a bit more forgiving of whatever I'm doing wrong. But I'm the type of guy that would rather have 2 or 3 razors that give me a good shave every time with minimal fuss.

In my experience, I really didn't feel much diference in the sizes and grinds of my razors until I had been shaving with them for around a year. Any differences I did notice were negligable at best. So my opinion is to get whatever razor you want to and avoid picking by what others say is the right width or grind for you.

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Originally Posted by fyrfyter43

Yup, I've tried lightening up on pressure, changing angle, etc. I've been shaving with straights for about a year now. Full and extra hollows have always given me some burn. I didn't think much of it until I got my first wedge a couple months ago. I've used that razor exclusively for about a month and a half, and the only time I've had any burn at all is if I tried too hard for a BBS shave.

I went back to a full hollow this weekend to see if maybe I could get a better shave with it. The razor only has about 5 shaves since I bought it from SRD, so I know it's sharp. The shave wasn't bad, but I had a lot more burn than usual.

It may very well be technique, and maybe a wedge is a bit more forgiving of whatever I'm doing wrong. But I'm the type of guy that would rather have 2 or 3 razors that give me a good shave every time with minimal fuss.

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I'm not an expert like many of our fine mentors, could it be that the razor is not suited for your face, skin, or beard? I'm just trying to help and uncover some possible variables that might give you some idea. Is there such thing as a compatibility issue with a particular razor??

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Originally Posted by Theseus

In my experience, I really didn't feel much diference in the sizes and grinds of my razors until I had been shaving with them for around a year. Any differences I did notice were negligable at best. So my opinion is to get whatever razor you want to and avoid picking by what others say is the right width or grind for you.

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When I got my first razor, I went by what was considered a good starter, that was the 6/8 Dovo BQ which has worked out very well for me. Some other folks feel a 4/8 or a 5/8 are also good starters. I now shave with a 6/8 and a 5/8 with great successes.

I have a feeling this thread isn't going to help you make a decision.

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Originally Posted by AFDavis11

I have a feeling this thread isn't going to help you make a decision.

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True, we can beat this dead horse into dog food and end up back where it all started. So the best course of action is to purchase a razor that is affordable and give it a go.

I purchased my first straight approximately 7 weeks ago after doing quite a bit of research to what would be best for a first shaver and at the time the conclusion that I had drawn was that a 5/8 half hollow round point would be the best option.

On saying this and personally thinking this to be correct I purchased a 5/8 full hollow Spanish point. The reason for this was I thought if I was only going to purchased 1 razor (yeah right) I might as well go and get a full hollow as I read it gave more feedback but more skill to master and the Spanish point just looked better to me.

Anyway I have shaved with no other size so I do not know if it is the best for me, but gives me an excuse to start buying other sizes and grinds to find out. :)

Oh and all this scary talk about slicing your face off, cutting a notch in your ear and accidently cutting through your Jugular vein was all just scary talk as the full hollow does give feedback and I know when it’s about to cut into the skin. I have hardly made a dent in my skin with a straight but have cut up my face much worse with my DE as it does lack the feedback and just slices over any skin imperfections.

My first razor was a 5/8 full hollow spike. I love it. Then I got a 7/8 W&B, did a few strokes and swapped it for a 4/8 W&B which I like MUCH more. Then I got another 5/8, maybe a 1/2 hollow, it's also nice, but that's when I really started to tell the differences with grinds, etc. Now I've got an 11/16 Frameback. They all bring their own character to the shave. I like the flexibility of a smaller razor; I may get a 4/8 next. But I also like the incredibly flexible blade of a 5/8 full hollow, it's like when you find a surfboard that is JUST the right combination of length, width, fins. Granted a 5/8 full hollow spike was daunting (in hindsight) to learn with, but back then (three months ago) I thought they were ALL like that. I'm glad I learnt on this purportedly hard to use style. For me, it's hard to go past a vintage razor (like everything else I buy), as I like the history. I don't DISLIKE new things (my current fountain pen is new) but I'd rather an old item with history and without me contributing to 'waste'...
Good luck with all your purchases...

I honestly think it makes no difference. I started with a 5/8 full hollow which shaved great and not long after got myself a 7/8 wedge which I also love.

As long as you get a good make of blade that will take and hold a shaving edge I think you'll be fine.

As B says, those recommendations are mainly because they are middle of the road in terms of size and grind allowing you to go either way after that. If you're anything like me you'll end up getting a load of different sizes to try out anyways! :)