Thread: Hello Everyone!

I just stumbled across this site the other day. I have never tried shaving with a straight razor and in fact I have only ever seen one in person. I have been interested for awhile in different shaving systems because I am prone to getting razor bumps no matter what safety razor I use or what prep I use with it. I ordered a Dovo basic 5/8ths kit from VintageRazorsLLC based on all of the recommendations and I also got a couple stones to practice honing with. Many people have also posted about the inferiority of the Pakistani blades so I ordered one for about 5 bucks off of eBay just to see what the difference is. Seems like a great informative site. I'll post an update when I get my gear.

Edit: VintageBladesLLC not VintageRazorsLLC.

Welcome aboard! I noticed you said you get razor bumps w/ a safety razor. I suspect what you may have meant was a cartridge razor (e.g. Mach 3). A true DE (double edge) safety razor will not give you the razor bumps that a cartridge razor will. Cartridge razors are designed to cut the beard below the level of the skin. When the skin grows over the cut hair, it prevents the hair from growing out, thus causing ingrown hairs and razor bumps. A straight razor or a DE will not do this, as they cut the hair level w/ the skin.

While you're waiting for your gear to arrive, review the wikis and beginners guides. I think you'll find the beard prep techniques there will help immensely.

Welcome to your new obsession!

Welcome to SRP

Yes, I meant the cheap disposable cartridge types. I have never used a straight or the safety type.

I wanted to update when I got my razor set from Vintage Blades, but unfortunately the cheap one I bought to compare with it arrived first. The one I bought is a Szco from Pakistan and it is super cheap. I am going to reserve final judgment until I can make at least an attempt to put an edge on it. It has zero markings on the metal and the scales seem super cheap.

So I got my gear in the mail from Vintage Blades and attempted a first and second shave so far. I got the basic Dovo Best Quality 5/8ths razor, 3'' strop, and colonel conks bay rum soap with badger brush. I have to admit that I am not very good at making lather yet, but I can tell that the lather made with the soap is much smoother than the standard drug store canned foam. I have extremely hard water here, so that might be another issue with the lather. I am sure I will get better with time. So my razor was covered with a thin layer of oil which I wiped off before attempting to shave. At first I did not think the blade was very sharp. I am not sure what I did wrong, but I held the blade as I have seen in several videos and made a few passes on my sideburn and cheek area. Some hair came off, but it was all that close. As Lynn suggested in his beginner info section, I finished off with the normal cartridge razor that I use. I did not use the strop before the first shave, maybe I should have. The second day I shaved the same area first with the straight razor, except this time I made a slightly better lather and tried varying the angles of the blade against my face. I also decided to hone the blade against the strop before I got started. I had a bit better luck that time and removed more hair. When I was handling the blade I accidentally nicked my finger a bit, not deep but enough to tell that the blade is indeed very sharp. I haven't nicked my face and felt confident enough to venture onto my neck with the blade, but I still got a slightly closer and easier shave with my cartridge razor. I am going to try again later today.

Welcome to Straight Razor Place!

Be sure and strop, carefully, for 30-60 roundtrip laps just before each and every shave. It does make a big difference. The other major factor is beard prep. Don't skimp on that area.

I've heard of the place you got your razor from, but not any real reviews on what they sell. Are you sure that they honed it up for you and that it wasn't just a "shave ready" or "Professionally Honed" razor? Those two terms show up a lot, but as you'll read in the wiki, that doesn't mean that they've been honed with care to be "Ready to Shave."

I've read several threads here where the Dovo's came with a less than perfect bevel that was relatively sharp, but not really up to snuff. Might benefit from having a guy who knows his stuff take a look/shave with your Dovo, and hone it up if you need it done.