Recommended razor for very coarse beard?

Hi all!

As the title implies, I have very very coarse facial hair and my normal prep consists of conditioner on my beard in the shower, hot towel with light lather and T&H preshave oil. For the most part, my shaves aren't that bad, but I think they could be better.

My current go0to razor is a Dovo Pearlex which I quite enjoy, but in doing some reading, it sounds like other blades are recommended for coarse facial hair. For example, I've read quite a few people saying that TI Sheffield are great for people for coarse facial hair, but I was hoping to get some additional feedback.

Any input is greatly appreciated.

With experience, just about any grind of quality razor works well. However, I have found that when I haven't shaved for a few days, I prefer a larger blade with a heavier grind, like Hart 6/8 or 7/8. Not that they are much sharper than any other quality blade; they just FEEL more sturdy against heavy growth. On days when I shaved the day before, any blade feels alright. I'm actually partial to Dovo stainless blades on those occasions.

If money isn't an issue, I'd get a Hart Steel or (for vintage) some kind of Sheffield wedge, since you already have a Dovo.

I think you would find a heavier blade much more efficient with a coarse beard. The weight really helps to maintain a "light touch", i.e. not having to apply too much pressure from the hand to the razor. In the classifieds, and at this moment I can't remember who has it posted, so no affiliation, there's a Henckels 7/8 Friodur INOX posted. I have one and it is a magnificent shaver, especially on a coarse beard!! Being stainless it's low maintenance. Hope this helps!!!
It is a heavy blade!!!!

Best Regards,

Howard

Edit: I just looked, and it's a full hollow and muted square point, same as I have. Even being full hollow it's a heavy blade!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by itsmrbrooks

Hi all!

As the title implies, I have very very coarse facial hair and
....snip....
My current go0to razor is a Dovo Pearlex which I quite enjoy,
....snip...
Any input is greatly appreciated.

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A very coarse set of whiskers may challenge a single razor.

Try making one systematic pass, relather
NOW let the fresh lather rest 40 seconds
while you smoothly strop the razor.
Then finish the save with a second systematic pass.
If in the 40 seconds or so the lather gets dry
go back to the brush and improve the lather...

This does two things. You get a second soak and
lather in the middle of the shave. You also get
a lightly refreshed edge.

No need to go crazy... someplace more than ten
and less than 40 strop strokes on clean leather works
wonders for me. Light and smooth on the strop.


A second razor can be handy for that second pass:
Keep your eyes open for an old American razor
perhaps one made in New York state... I see
a Genco in the classified.... IMO, They seem to have
harder steel than some of the English razors
and should hone on a modern man made hone very
very well. I see a couple other classified offerings for less than
$100 that would make great second razor shavers.

Personally, I think a little too much is made of grind for tough beards. Weight may make it easier if you're new, but it's very possible to shave w/ a 5/8 full hollow w/ a coarse beard; you just have to get it sharp enough. Agreed about the old US razors--they often have good hard steel that takes (and can hold) a good edge. Niftyshaving has a good idea about those Gencos--I honed 1 once for a barber shop & it was my favorite shaver ever--really hated to give it back! :)

FWIW, I have a slight shadow even when shaved literally BBS, so I'm in your camp as well. ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by niftyshaving

A very coarse set of whiskers may challenge a single razor.

Try making one systematic pass, relather
NOW let the fresh lather rest 40 seconds
while you smoothly strop the razor.
Then finish the save with a second systematic pass.
If in the 40 seconds or so the lather gets dry
go back to the brush and improve the lather...

This does two things. You get a second soak and
lather in the middle of the shave. You also get
a lightly refreshed edge.

No need to go crazy... someplace more than ten
and less than 40 strop strokes on clean leather works
wonders for me. Light and smooth on the strop.


A second razor can be handy for that second pass:
Keep your eyes open for an old American razor
perhaps one made in New York state... I see
a Genco in the classified.... IMO, They seem to have
harder steel than some of the English razors
and should hone on a modern man made hone very
very well. I see a couple other classified offerings for less than
$100 that would make great second razor shavers.

---

I am totally going to try the second soak^^^

Noxema face creme for $4 a tub. Le Coultre frameback on a 4/8 stone = shave through a brick wall

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MinATX

With experience, just about any grind of quality razor works well. However, I have found that when I haven't shaved for a few days, I prefer a larger blade with a heavier grind, like Hart 6/8 or 7/8. Not that they are much sharper than any other quality blade; they just FEEL more sturdy against heavy growth. On days when I shaved the day before, any blade feels alright. I'm actually partial to Dovo stainless blades on those occasions.

If money isn't an issue, I'd get a Hart Steel or (for vintage) some kind of Sheffield wedge, since you already have a Dovo.

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+1 for the Hart

I'd recommend a wedge grind honed with 5 layers of electrical to bolster the edge.

I am in the same boat concerning a heavy beard. If you are starting out get a 1/4 grind 6/8". I find a full hollow on a really rough beard is something that an experienced person can use but the flexing as it cuts stubble creates a lot of flexing unless you get on "top" of the blade. That is, a feeling when you shave where you make sure that you have the correct angle so that you get no flex, kinda like balancing a ball. A quarter grind will give a new guy a lot of success quickly. When I started I was using a full hollow and was doing only ok but when I went over to a properly hone 1/4 grind it was like night and day.

Take care,
Richard

I get a heavy beard from taking one day off from shaving. So I use my trusty Dovo Best Quality 6/8 to do the job. No pressure needed, I just let the weight of the razor do the job.

My beard is very coarse as well. I have found that the bigger (7/8"+) heavier grind razors tend to plow through my hairs better. The 5/8" Dovo I have is worthless. Also, if you fancy one, A kamisori works very well on mine too, but that's a big investment.

My "regular" goto is a 7/8" Wade & Butcher ~1/4-1/2 hollow...not really sure, but it's a heavy blade.

I feel like I am in a support group. "Hi, I am Moose...I have a coarse beard" :) I have trimmed my beard only to find a piece "splinter like" embed itself in my finger.

I am finding my Dovo best Quality 5/8 working well - but only when sharp. Shower/Steam/Lather up/Hot Towel/Lather again, and shave it away.
Beard prep is paramount. Good luck!

It's not the size of the blade necessarily, it's the grind/stiffness of the blade.Sounds like a viagra comment doesn't it...but theirs proof in the pudding.

There are a lot of folks, mostly in the beginnings, who feel like their beard is very coarse. The recommendation for a 1/4-3/4 hollow is a good one for now while you are getting the shave down to "just right". The most important thing for you is beard prep, a good sharp razor, & you knowing how to shave your face.

I have some really tough facial hair where I would have a goatee if I were to grow one. A stiffer blade just mows thru like no tomorrow, but I also use full-hollows & even the thin extra-hollows. The key to them is to use short strokes & again, a very sharp blade. A good lubricating shave soap or maybe a touch of glycerin helps here as I don't lift the blade when using the short stroke method.

Where are you from Mr. Brooks? If you are here in the U.S., PM me your address & I'll send you a razor that is stiffer for you to get an idea what I am talking about.

Not to be cheeky, but don't most people have a very coarse beard? Next thing you know I won't be alone in the world in "having very sensitive skin, especially around the neck area" ;)

Heavier grinds can make you feel you are getting a better shave if you have a coarse beard as you ned only good technique to shave with them. Thinner grinds will work just as well, or IMO better, on coarse beards. You just need to work on your technique to get it as good as you can. I have a thick, heavy beard and can get an effortless, great shave with anything from a 3/8 to a 7/8, an extra hollow to a wedge. It just takes practice.

That is actually really useful to know. I tried a razor, and, while I liked it well enough in general, it just felt like my beard was stronger than it was for lack of a better way of describing it. The razor, while nice, is a full hollow blade, and it honestly turned me off on the idea of using a straight. After reading this thread, I think that I will try picking up a large quarter hollow or even a wedge some time. That way it sounds like it might be a fair fight between my beard and the razor.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by niftyshaving

A very coarse set of whiskers may challenge a single razor.

A second razor can be handy for that second pass:
Keep your eyes open for an old American razor
perhaps one made in New York state... I see
a Genco in the classified.... IMO, They seem to have
harder steel than some of the English razors
and should hone on a modern man made hone very
very well. I see a couple other classified offerings for less than
$100 that would make great second razor shavers.

---

Another New York state razor to consider is a Spike - Olean, NY. I saw one go for $7.99 on the bay this weekend. I have one of their near wedges and is shaves like a dream!!
Attachment 87088Attachment 87089
Good luck

you have to strike an aggressiveness balance. aggressiveness is going to be sharpness versus weight. with a course beard a light sharp blade will snag on hairs when using a light touch and make it easy to get cut. a duller light razor will pull. a heavier razor,thicker grind and/or taller, will put enough elbow grease behind the edge to cut your beard when you allow gravity to push it through.

it's the same with safety razors. you just have to factor in blade gap as an additional variable. don't have to with straights because there's no guard to take the blade off your skin.

I think beard prep and a really sharp razor make more of a difference than the grind, but the heavier blades seem to be a little easier to use to me.

I also have a heavy beard - recommend a 6/8 or 7/8 with a 1/4 or 1/2 hollow grind. The stiffer and heavier blade really cut through those whiskers.