New to this, what should be my first straight razor
Hey I'm new to all of this I have done a fair amount of research on different types of straight edge razors, stropping, and honing. I kind of like the Dovo Black Star. Is that a good razor to start with? And then I have a question that is probably dumb but since it is a full hollow ground, if I wanted to eventually learn how to hone it how does that work? Because with a full hollow ground it has a curved edge so if i honed it it seems like I would take the curve out. Sorry if that last question was confusing. I appreciate any help that can be offered thank!
New to this, what should be my first straight razor
If you can hold it and feel it in your hands, that would be the best. As long as you go with a good reputation razor, it is all good to start with any of them. You are not going to know what you prefer, until you tried several grounds, steels, and finishes. However to learn, any would do. I started with stainless steel dovo, and had to learn shortly after a month or 6 weeks, to retouch the blades. I have been in it, for about a year and started to hone a little while ago.
As long as you mantain the spine flat with the stone, you will mantain the angle and the hollow will keep. Yes, with hundreds of bevel settings and honing, eventually you will wear out the hollow and spine, but that is hundred or several hundreds of years with normal use and good care.
If you want to just learn how to shave with a straight, I recommend the Feather Artist SS razor. It is a Japanesse disposable blade razor, that shaves and feel like a full steel straight. You will skip stroping and honing until you are perficient with the shave. I recommended!
If you whant the romance, then only a full steel straight will do it. Good luck with everything!
Double O
New to this, what should be my first straight razor
I started with the Dovo Best Quality and it was a great razor to learn on (it is still in my rotation). I bought it as part of a kit from SRD. It came shave ready and with a gift certificate for one free honing. A full hollow is the easiest to shave with and the easiest to hone in my opinion (although I'm still learning to hone and still perfecting my shaving). I would recommend starting with a 5/8 or at the max a 6/8.