Thread: Hello I'm new and need help

Hello: Thank you all for this forum and the help i know i will receive here! I'm one of the ones talked about in the monthly beginners tip. however my sweet wife purchased me a Dovo Shavette and no blades... I have purchased a water stone and strop... as you can see things don't quite add up. I am concerned about what to buy, Carbon, or Stainless, Half Hollow, or full, and finally what size? Money is not something that we come buy easily, so i need it to be the best purchase for years of service, and I'm willing to spend a LITTLE bit more to make sure that happens. Thank You in advance. K Frei

Congrats and welcome!!

My first razor was a Dovo Best Quality, and this is IMO a great starter razor. They can be had for somewhere in the 80-90 range, and are worth every penny for sure...There are other "new" options such as a Thiers Issard or Boker, (both of which are very nice), but you'll end up paying more $$....OR, you could go to whippeddog.com and get a nice cheap "sight undeen" razor there, too...

My BQ shaves wonderfully! If you get one thru SRD, they come shave-ready which is really nice...takes the guesswork out of honing for your first time...

Eventually, you'll find that there's nothing better than shaving with a blade you honed yourself, but take one step at a time...I made the mistake of trying to learn how to shave AND hone together, and it was just too much to learn at once...

Hey, congrats and welcome to the forum. I don't think there is much in the difference between carbon and stainless steel as far as the actual shave goes, at least I don't see any. Stainless is not as prone to rusting though and may take a little more time to hone.

I would think any razor between 5/8 and 6/8 would be a good size for a beginner. I get along well in that size range. Not much either in the difference in grinds from the little experience I have had with them assuming they are equally sharp. Personally I like a little more weight and a hollow grind so I gravitate more to 6/8 size in full hollow.

Used razors from the classifieds here can be a good alternative to buying new. I have bought several that way and they have been as advertised and were also shave ready. If you buy new be sure and buy from a reputable vendor that supplies the razor shave ready and is known to do so. The importance of having it arrive shave ready can't be stressed too much. There are just so many things to learn when you start shaving with a straight you really do not want to add learning to hone to that right away. Hope that helps you a bit.

Bob

It would help to know your budget, and whether you want new or vintage.

If you are going for new, then there are plenty of choices under 150$ that will shave well and last the rest of your life. Most of those will be from Dovo, or Boker and will be 5or 6/8, full hollow. Besides that is preference to decide the style you like. Shop around on some of the site sponsors here and you can see the choices.

Another option is the classifieds here. IMO, there are great deals to be had.

Also make sure the strop is of good quality from a reputable maker. And set some money aside for a brush and some nice soaps.

Michael

I would go with a vintage razor off the classifieds from srp mAke sure it's shAve ready and possibly restored most are from here. I would buy razors for the shavettee and see if strAight razor shaving is for u before u start spending cash..my opinion

If possible it wouldbe great to keep things under $150-$170 I like the idea of getting something that is truly shave ready, so I can learn to hone at a slower pace and learn to do it right. I think I would like a new razor, or at least like new. And that is another question where should Purchase from... Who is reputable.... And the more I think about it I like the idea of stainless. Thanks again.

If you are thinking of new and want stainless you may have trouble finding a blade in your price range. Also there are extremely few new made stainless blades out there compared to new made carbon ones. Just saying you might want to consider a new carbon blade in the 5/8 size.

Bob

I can't really add anything to the great advice above. But I wanted to welcome you and encourage you to ask questions and do research on here. If there's any questions at all I can help with, feel free to PM me. I don't "know it all", but what little I do know I'll steer ya straight. Also, if I don't know I'll be honest about it. Have a great time!!

John

The main reason I've been thinking stainless is rust concerns... I live in a very dry climate though... there in lies another question? now i feel like the village dunce. If carbon is the way to go how do we feel about the Thiers-Issard "Super Gnome"? And where could i buy it pre honed so its ready to use? Thanks again!

Originally Posted by BobH

If you are thinking of new and want stainless you may have trouble finding a blade in your price range. Also there are extremely few new made stainless blades out there compared to new made carbon ones. Just saying you might want to consider a new carbon blade in the 5/8 size.

Bob

Sorry, I did not mean to imply that carbon was the way to go, only that you may find it hard to find a current production stainless in you target price range. Good used ones a certainly in your price range. I do have a couple that were in it. Can't help with the TI, I don't own any.

Bob