Thread: new guy that needs a shave

Thanks for the faq and now the questions.

I am looking to give the straight razor a chance. I have been reading about them online. It seems that DOVO and Thiers-Issard are the way to go. How different are the two? It seems the larger question would be carbon vs. stainless. I was thinking of a sentence but realized I do not know enough to add anymore.

unshaven new guy.

rsvp I have to go to work tomorrow, and the day after, and after that

I m in exactly the same boat...same razors,etc. I have now shaved 3 times with my razors, and found that neither was sharp enough ,even though they were both new. I am getting better now that I have honed and stropped them both. I think there is a learning curve to this, and now I understand why so many men wore beards when there was nothing but straight blades to use. This is hard to do right!
Any help at all is appreciated, I am new here and want to get better.
Best regards,Gary

Hello, Hiker. I don't know enough to say so I won't --but I do have the Dovo Special Black 5/8" (carbon steel) that came with Tony Miller's kit (great way to start by the way). I've gotten the best shaves of my life with it and the carbon steel isn't that much of a pain in the rear to keep care of. I'm sure you'll get a lot of responses to your questions. Anytways, good luck,

Justin

Hello, Gary, also.

Yes there is nothing like the feeling of shaving with a brand spanking new razor. Its like putting on a new pair of cowboy boots. Vintage razors are great also but having a new one is special.

Both Dovo and TI make great razors and you won't go wrong with either. I think Dovo makes a cosmetically superior razor while TI makes a better blade but its really a matter of degree. Just buy what you like and can afford and as time goes on you will have them all to try.

Greetings, Gentlemen, I agree with bigspender that either Dovo or TI would do you well. Sharpness, including proper stropping, is of course paramount. Preparation and Technique are the other two legs of this stool,,, take one away and it colapses. Good lather on a wet face using slow deliberate strokes with LIGHT PRESSURE will make a huge difference in a close shave with mimimal burning. And, like was said, this is a process with a learning curve. Please let us know how you're progressing.
Regards,
Zig

The differences you are considering are the differences between 9.9 and 9.95 out of 10 so don't stress yourself out too much about this one. It ultimately comes down to preference. Mine? Sheffield steel Thiers Issard.

X

I think the overall feeling in this group (correct me if I'm wrong as I'm relatively new around here too), is that you will begin by buying either a Dovo or a TI, but eventually you will end up buying both. In fact, most have several of each, plus vintage ones.

In my case, I got a Dovo for Christmas. I chose it myself though and got it honed professionally. I'm still learning how to strop and hone it myself. It's a stainless and I may end up getting a TI for the sake of it. Plus it's apparently good to have a second razor .

I may see what's available in Paris next month. I am popping over briefly. As TI are French, I'm hoping they'll be cheap/widely available in Paris!