Thread: Which grind & size is best for new users?

Looking over the razors that are available online is pretty overwhelming... which one would be best for a new user? I see wedge, 3/4 hollow, 1/2 hollow, full hollow... and then there's 2/8, 3/8, 4/8, 5/8, 6/8, 7/8, etc. Some have rounded points, some are squared off. Why so many styles of razors? I just need a *few* choices to pick from for a new guy getting into this. The razor I bought locally is pictured below-- is this one ok to start with or should I have bought something else? Any thoughts & personal experiences would be appreciated!

~ Mike

That razor is fine. Dovo is a well-respected brand.

As for the variety, some of it is because they've been making these things for a long time in a lot of different places, by hundreds (thousands?) of different manufacturers in an era long before the 1-size-fits-all (cheaply) mentality. Some styles came around due to manufacturing limitations back in the 1700's and 1800's, some of the styles were popular among barbers for a variety of reasons, and some of them were preferred by guys that had to shave themselves. Some are easier to hone, some are more tolerant of dullness, some are better for trimming around moustaches and inside of noses and ears, etc.

I'd say you got yourself a very nice razor and should enjoy it. Experimentation is half the fun and I enjoy each and every one of my razors, from the small 4/8 rounds to the 13/16 squares. Great learning experience.

The most important characteristic of a razor is that it be sharp. Unless you already know how, I'd recommend spending a little bit more money and waiting a little longer to use that razor and send it to one someone here to sharpen for you. FUD was offering free sharpening service (you pay shipping), but you'll have to ask him if that is still available. If not, there are plenty of people around who can help you out.

A lot of the members here have multiple razors (especially Lynn... holy cow you've got a huge collection!), maybe some of you even use those 7-day sets. What would be a good choice for second razor?

If you have a decent amount of cash to spend, get any DOVO or Thiers-Issard that will catch your fancy.
If you've got money coming out of your uhmmm... I better not say then get a Lido Livi (Lynn sells those and they have a stellar reputation) or a Robert Williams (new on the razor market but experienced with metallurgy, got some great reviews from a couple of our members and no bad reviews so far) custom.
If you're on a budget, get a vintage piece. Members here sell shave-ready razors all the time. Or you could get a honing or a restoration project off e-bay. As long as it's a vintage/NOS Sheffield or Solingen piece without much wear, you should be fine.

That's a great razor to start out with. The hollower grinds are easy to refresh on pastes and learn to hone on and the 5/8 size is very comfortable to strop correctly which is extremely important to the new straight shaver.

Since you've good a good German 5/8 full hollow blade, for a second I'd recommend branching out by;

Brand
Thiers-Issard is French (but they use Sheffield steel), Filarmonica is Spanish and thy're newly discontinued so can be found by vendors who sell new razors (www.classicshaving.com) for a limited time only. Wade & Butcher and other antique Sheffield made blades are abundant. There are also Eskeltuna Swedish steel blades which are very good.

Size
Many guys like heaftier razors so berhaps getting something in a 6/8 or maybe even 7/8. Maybe you'll be one of the ones who prefers a 4/8 though.

Grind
A half hollow grind would give you a chance to try something different too. Wedges are in a league of their own too, but you might want to save that for your third razor.

Shape
I really like the Spike tips and the French point I have a lot and am curious to try a Spanish point myself, so you might want to give that design feature some consideration as well.

Scales
Material to suit your preference.

X

Thanks! That helps. Also just today I found this web page which has a great explanation of the different grinds, styles & sizes: http://www.classicshaving.com/articl...90351/4038.htm

Bear in mind, tho, that as important as the razor is, it's not worth much without a decent strop - it's easy to obsess about the razors, which you can always get honed to be shave-ready, but without the strop to maintain them, on a daily basis, well.....

-whatever

-Lou

-Spokane, huh - good to see someone in my neck of the woods!

I just read your other thread - you've got the strop thing covered, so.....


N E V E R ______M I N D !

-d-u-u--h!

-whatever

-Lou