Thread: 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!

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.

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.

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

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.

+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