Thread: What would one expect from a better razor?

Hello,

I started my SR shaving with a Dovo Best Quality razor and I find it quite good! I had one less-than-stelar shave but after stropping the razor more carefully it worked splendidly afterwards.

That having been said I was wondering what are the improvements one would expect from a "better" razor?

For instance I sometimes feel that toward the end of a shave the razor is clearly less sharp than at the beginning. This is more obvious if I'm doing more than one pass while shaving . If that last pass is against the grain and on the more sensitive areas of the face it can remove some fun out of what started like a pleasant experience.

Would a "better" razor stay sharper throughout the process, hence allowing a more comfortable experience even toward the end of the shaving process?

Also, is it possible/recommended to strop in the middle of the shave?

Thanks,

letomuaddib

If the edge on the Dovo is right, a "better" razor is unlikely to give you a better shave.

If the question of stropping during the shave even arises, it casts doubt on the quality of the edge in the first place.
A good edge should easily make it through one shave, maybe more, without even thinking about stropping.

Thanks for the reply, ace.

It probably is my inexperience as at almost every new shave I feel pretty clear improvements to my technique, be it stropping, ensuring the face is wet enough, starting with the more sensitive areas and finishing with the more "resistant" ones, etc.

Still, the initial question remains, why do people "upgrade" and what exactly are the improvements to be expected from a "better" razor?

a quality razor is a quality razor,are no upgrades, all is how you care for it,wellcome to SRP.read and learn.

It depends on what you call "better". If by better you mean one that is more suitable to your taste in size, jimping, tip design or ornamentation then yes there is an up grade to a better razor. If you mean by spending more to get a better quality shave then I would say no, you can't buy a hugely better shave. Personally, I think the biggest part of getting a good shave is from having good technique not buying more expensive gear. Not a thing wrong with getting more expensive gear, it's fun but not strictly necessary. So I guess that is a definite maybe.

Bob

Originally Posted by letomuaddib

Hello,

I started my SR shaving with a Dovo Best Quality razor and I find it quite good! I had one less-than-stelar shave but after stropping the razor more carefully it worked splendidly afterwards.

That having been said I was wondering what are the improvements one would expect from a "better" razor?

For instance I sometimes feel that toward the end of a shave the razor is clearly less sharp than at the beginning. This is more obvious if I'm doing more than one pass while shaving . If that last pass is against the grain and on the more sensitive areas of the face it can remove some fun out of what started like a pleasant experience.

Would a "better" razor stay sharper throughout the process, hence allowing a more comfortable experience even toward the end of the shaving process?

Also, is it possible/recommended to strop in the middle of the shave?

Thanks,

letomuaddib

Hi . Saw a similar question the other day & no offence but at this stage a "better" razor may offer you no improvements in the shave at all. If the razor 'needs' stropping thru the shave there can be a number of things wrong . The razor or the honing often is blamed first but commonly the least likely unless of course the razor was only factory honed.

The only thing in your control is how you use it so prep, lather, stropping, pressure, angle & maybe something else I can't think of.
Most commonly a too high angle is what I come across with new users but these aspects will improve with practice & research even if the razor itself is at fault.

I fully agree with my mate Oz!

One thing I would ask is what type of beard do you ‘think’ you have????

Light, Medium, Heavy or Very Heavy.

I’m not talking about the amount of hair but how coarse or thick/cut resistant it is. Have you had trouble shaving with disposables or what ever you have been using?

This may help those that try to help, to know how to recommend what to do!

Good point Roy. I know a guy who boasts a titanium beard . Prep & lather is sooooo important in that case.
About to see his edge after 2 months use.

Originally Posted by letomuaddib

Thanks for the reply, ace.

It probably is my inexperience as at almost every new shave I feel pretty clear improvements to my technique, be it stropping, ensuring the face is wet enough, starting with the more sensitive areas and finishing with the more "resistant" ones, etc.

Still, the initial question remains, why do people "upgrade" and what exactly are the improvements to be expected from a "better" razor?

This is why we upgrade, but pretty doesn't make for a better shave, that only comes with time and experience. I know this because i am new here.

Originally Posted by letomuaddib

Thanks for the reply, ace.

It probably is my inexperience as at almost every new shave I feel pretty clear improvements to my technique, be it stropping, ensuring the face is wet enough, starting with the more sensitive areas and finishing with the more "resistant" ones, etc.

Still, the initial question remains, why do people "upgrade" and what exactly are the improvements to be expected from a "better" razor?

So, we really have two questions here, one about the edge and another about higher quality or collectible razors. I can tell you from my experience that custom or collectible razors don't shave very different from less interesting razors, but the enjoyment that comes from using them, handling them and caring for them makes them worth the extra expense.