Thread: Newbie with questions

Hi all,
Newbie from Sweden here looking for some advice. I'm currently using a Merkur safety razor which works splendidly. However, I've long wanted to learn how to master the art of straight razor shaving. Therefore I bought a Dovo shavette, since that seemed both easier and cheaper. So far that has been a disaster though. The last time I tried it my chin looked like the inside of an abattoir.

Anyway, I haven't quite given up yet. I'm planning to buy a real straight razor and I'm interested in a Muehle 5/8" (called rm 30, I think). As I understand it this razor is a full hollow ground and I've read somewhere that half hollow ground is better suited for beginners, so my questions are: would I be better off buying a half hollow ground and is the difference big between the two?

Looking forward to hearing from you gents.

Hello and welcome to SRP!

I'm not really familiar with Muhle straight razors, sorry. I did a quick google and found that the blade is made in Solingen, so most likely it's Dovo stock, but I don't know for sure. If so, it's probably OK.

A full hollow will have a little more flex than a half, but will be maybe a little easier to hone. Personally I don't think it matters. What's more important is that what you buy is of good quality, honed properly and that you get your shaving technique worked out. Chances are if you are having issues with a shavette those issues will be transferred over to a straight razor. Practice and reading up about technique will get you there - we all started where you are and have all gone on to success with time and patience.

Good luck!

James.

Velkommen til SRP

The full hollow will work just fine, not to worry.
The reason we usually advice on a half hollow in 6/8 is that it is pretty much dead center of the spectrum.
A full hollow will shave just as well!
The most important thing when buying a razor is making sure that it is truly shave ready.

There are a few experienced shavers in Sweden that can help you out with getting the razor honed up should it not be so from the place you'd be buying it from.
I'm sure they will chime in.
If not, I'd be more than willing to help you get that done, I'm across the border to the west
For free, naturally, this is a brotherhood where we all try to help each other out!

Let us know how you fare, and we will try our best to help you out!

Thanks for that swift answer, James!
I'm studying a lot right now and from what I've learnt here it seems like a good idea to take it in small steps. I won't give up though. Took me about a month to get really good at using the safety razor so I'm prepared to devote even more time to this.

Originally Posted by Birnando

Velkommen til SRP

The full hollow will work just fine, not to worry.
The reason we usually advice on a half hollow in 6/8 is that it is pretty much dead center of the spectrum.
A full hollow will shave just as well!
The most important thing when buying a razor is making sure that it is truly shave ready.

There are a few experienced shavers in Sweden that can help you out with getting the razor honed up should it not be so from the place you'd be buying it from.
I'm sure they will chime in.
If not, I'd be more than willing to help you get that done, I'm across the border to the west
For free, naturally, this is a brotherhood where we all try to help each other out!

Let us know how you fare, and we will try our best to help you out!

Tack Birnando,

I'll let you know how I'm doing, even when I go wrong. :-)

Originally Posted by GSwede

Tack Birnando,

I'll let you know how I'm doing, even when I go wrong. :-)

Heh
Straight razor shaving is an acquired skill, we have all made numerous mistakes when we started out.
But the reward is at the end of the tunnel, the sweetest shaves possible

Hi and welcome. Most of us start a bloody mess till we figure out the angels, pressure and techniques that work for us. Try learning to do 1 bit at a time while still using the safety. This will help you to progress more smoothly. Good luck and happy shaving

Hello, and welcome!!

Welcome to SRP. I'm also a newbie. I'm learning to shave with SR and I also have a Feather Artisan shavette. I have learned you can use a much steeper shaving angle with the shavette compared to your SR. The spine of the SR should be much closer to your face. You may have already watched the video but Lynn makes some great points for beginners.