I'm New, and have a few simple questions.

Alright, I'm *relatively new* to wet shaving. I switched from Gillette Fusion "Garbage" blades, to a Merkur 34c DE. AMAZINGLY better then I though possible. I switched because of being 31 and having enough ingrown hairs to look like a teen again, and not in a youthful good way. :w

I have got the hang of it, and get better shaves then ever before, however my ultimate goal is straight blades. I have been lurking around this forum and one other that talk heavily about this sort of thing. After watching many videos and reading posts I have decided to take the plunge so to speak. So without further ado here is the question...

Q) I have decided based on research that Pre-Sharpened DOVO Prima Klang Extra Hollow Ground Singing Razor, Kingwood Scales | Fendrihan Shaving Store is the razor I wish to start with. Yes *part* is aesthetically based" the second being the 'Extra Hollow' part coupled with Dovo's reputation.

The question... After watching Honing videos of all sorts I notice the spine sits flat against the stone. That being said, the fancy gold leaf embroidery goes seemingly close to the outer edge of the spine. When Honing, would this be scratched off? Gold Leaf is not that tough, or is there something in the image I'm missing? Perhaps a hump on the outer edge? I know some people tape during the process, but that too would rip off the gold leaf as well.

I know this question may sound stupid, but I am new, and have a lot more to learn, I guess that's why I'm here. :shrug:

Anyways thanks in advance for any help you could offer. I know a lot of you have a LOT of experience in straight shaving. (Yes I know it's an expensive 'First Blade' but I can be vain at times and the aesthetics are amazing for me along with the extra hollow aspect.) Thank you all again. My ears are yours...

Welcome to SRP Kippo :)

A hone will take gold wash off the spine, but taping will not, in general. In fact, any abrasive material will take off gold wash - brasso, autosol, MAAS, metal polish of any kind, scouring pads: these are all bad things for gold wash. The best way to ensure you never have to use any of these things (hones excluded) is to make absolutely sure the razor is absolutely moisture and lather free after each and every use (usually by wiping well and carefully with a clean cloth and leaving the razor somewhere safe and moisture-free to dry).

When honing I always tape people's spines, goldwashed or not, and have never had an issue with it taking off material from the razor, unless there was something wrong with the razor to start with. I am talking basic plastic electrical tape here.

James.

Kippo,

I'm also relatively new to straight razor shaving (about six months). The only thought I have to share is that perhaps you should borrow an extra hollow ground razor to try before you purchase one. I've heard/read guys' talking about how sometimes tough whiskers won't yield to the extra hollow blades; men with tough beards sometimes find that half-hollows or even wedges give them a superior shave.

I don't have enough experience yet to give you any firsthand insight, but I thought I'd mention what I've heard. (Can anyone else on SRP either affirm or debunk this?)

Cheers!

Well, I'd be in the debunk camp on that one. Proper technique with a decent razor will cut through any type of whisker you care to name, regardless of grind. Grind is a purely personal preference, not a necessity, IMO.

James.

Welcome from a fellow Torontonian. We are already planning the next Toronto area get-together for straight shavers, so if you are in, we can help you there. I had one of my razors honed there by a local honemeister (Maxi here on the forums) and it was well worth it. You might want to contact him to hone your first blade. I can guarantee that you will not be disappointed and he will not screw up your gold wash.

Wow?!?! Toronto has its own 'shave meets'? Heck, I guess I ain't troll around enough. I am horridly shy as a person, but for this... Ya count me in. Again I have not bought the blade *yet* Still in the 'Pre-Learning phase' I guess. But this is right up my ally. Thanks a million JDTO. I feel accepted already in this community. (And it's past midnight with all these responses.) Wow! You guys are great!

Thank you again Jimbo, my *experience* with 'gold leaf' is based on other crafts... Not metal on metal... Though I will ask, how does tape hold up against a stone? If it carves off metal, why not tape? Sorry if I sound really newbie, I am!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by csrund

Kippo,

I'm also relatively new to straight razor shaving (about six months). The only thought I have to share is that perhaps you should borrow an extra hollow ground razor to try before you purchase one. I've heard/read guys' talking about how sometimes tough whiskers won't yield to the extra hollow blades; men with tough beards sometimes find that half-hollows or even wedges give them a superior shave.

I don't have enough experience yet to give you any firsthand insight, but I thought I'd mention what I've heard. (Can anyone else on SRP either affirm or debunk this?)

Cheers!

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We all learn together don't we? No one is born an expert. Thanks for the reply as well. ^_^ This really helps me.

PS: I don't know anyone that straight shaves, so I wish I could 'borrow', but from who? Thanks again.

Kippo, they all seem nice and accepting at first, but before you know it you are spending all your money for your daily hit of shaving gear, beware of the AD's!


:o

Good advice above!! +1, however there's another angle to this razor. I bought, very early into straights, a Boker Extra Hollow, beautiful razor, no gold wash, honed by SRD and shave ready, right up until I got it. Recommend you strop before first shave. Well, I stropped it on a 3 inch Buffalo Strop. Having come from fine art wood carving, I stropped it like it was an African jungle machete. Full or Extra Hollows are very, very, very thin at the edge and before. They will distort at the slightest touch of a fingernail on the side of them. Not realizing this I shaved with it after I stropped it, or more accurately I shaved at it. Terrible!! Pulled, wouldn't cut, hung up on the whiskers, nicks. Boy!, am I glad I bought this. Honing and stropping take a very light to no extra pressure touch with this razor, especially. Point-If you're not at least basically skilled in stropping, which you will have to do daily, it might be better to get a quarter or half ground razor for your first and learn your technique on something a little more forgiving, then get the full or extra hollow as your second. Truth is, the Boker is now my favorite razor, but only after learning how delicate it is. This was rather long, but I hope it will help to make your emergence into straights a little less stressful and much more fun. Enjoy the ride!!!

Howard

Well, at lower grits, particularly with bevel setting, the tape can wear through in places. But that can depend on the quality of the tape and what kind of work the razor needs. I've found, with the tape I use (which really is bog-standard cheap department store electrical tape) that once I hit the 4K stones and above tape wearing through is no issue.

James.

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Originally Posted by Blix

Kippo, they all seem nice and accepting at first, but before you know it you are spending all your money for your daily hit of shaving gear, beware of the AD's!


:o

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I have seen A&E's 'HOARDERS', don't you worry ^_^

I know I have a heck of a "ShaveShelf" already. I also know that I may need more then one blade to use all week. The "Rest Period" and all. That's OK, Just really glad to have met all of you online. It can be hard learning something new at first but, You guys are there, and that's really what I needed. Thanks so much for your help.
and all.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kippo

I have seen A&E's 'HOARDERS', don't you worry ^_^

I know I have a heck of a "ShaveShelf" already. I also know that I may need more then one blade to use all week. The "Rest Period" and all. That's OK, Just really glad to have met all of you online. It can be hard learning something new at first but, You guys are there, and that's really what I needed. Thanks so much for your help.
and all.

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Having a few razors is nice, especially when you are learning honing, always good to have a "known good" blade(or two) to use while you mess around on the stones.

Btw, the "rest period" is just a stupid myth. :)

Some food for thought.

One of the best razors ever made for tough beards is the Filarmonica #14 EPBD. It is a full hollow singing razor, not even slightly a stiff grind, but excellent steel..

Hard steel can be made to chip if stropped heavily & softer steel can be forced to roll over & bend.
Ultimately it's all up to the user to not be ham-fisted . The razor plays no part in that.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jimbo

Well, at lower grits, particularly with bevel setting, the tape can wear through in places. But that can depend on the quality of the tape and what kind of work the razor needs. I've found, with the tape I use (which really is bog-standard cheap department store electrical tape) that once I hit the 4K stones and above tape wearing through is no issue.

James.

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Thanks, that's really good to know. Seems stupid to me that they would make such a nice looking blade only to have it un-honable without wreaking it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Blix

Having a few razors is nice, especially when you are learning honing, always good to have a "known good" blade(or two) to use while you mess around on the stones.

Btw, the "rest period" is just a stupid myth. :)

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Ahhh, I see. Even on DOVO's website they talk about the 'Rest Phase' which in my opinion seems utterly illogical. I figured as much. Heard stories of people even having seven blades as to rotate each day of the week to rest the blades.

Well, that being all cleared up, I guess my next question is What do you think of my selection in the Dovo Prima Klang Pre-Sharpened DOVO Prima Klang Extra Hollow Ground Singing Razor, Kingwood Scales | Fendrihan Shaving Store

Is it a good pick? Supposedly one of the better blades Dovo produces...?

Maybe if you could list what your expectations are in a razor people could chime in with alternatives if that is what you want but I got the impression from your first post you had already decided on the Klang.
You'll find personal taste varies greatly with razors as it does with many things & the replies you get could be dizzying. Sometimes it's best to just make your own choice & then see what the next step is. You will most likely end up with a "few" razors, sell a "few" & buy a "few" more.

Yes I agree with Oz. You gotta start somewhere, and there are worse places to start than with the Klang! We can give you all the advice under the sun, but in the end you have to experience things for yourself and make your own mind up when it comes to this particular issue.

James.

Welcome to SRP, Kippo.
I too posted a thread questioning the 'resting period' of razors when I first joined this site and was told that the 'resting period' is 364 days, hence the introduction of RAD.
But then again, I bought a Gold Dollar as my first razor.
Hang on and enjoy the ride.

Yes Welcome to SRP Kippo. Your questions seem relevantly answered, and I have nothing further to add yer on-na :)


Mick