Thread: Newbie - graduating from Parker SR1 - need advice how to proceed ...

Hi all:
From San Diego, found this site about a week ago ...

I have gone through about 80 shaves with the Parker SR1 and 100 of the Shark blades. I have become actually (what I consider) quite proficient with this straight razor;
a very rare - every 4 - 5 shaves - a single superficial nick not requiring a styptic pencil, and smooth shave. I have an upper lip mustache, and, so far, have not run into
any problems. Have NOT gone against the grain simply because the Shark blades wear out after the WTG pass. In fact, about half way through the WTG pass, I have to
"palm strop" the blade. (This might be the wild imagination of a newbie ...)

So, do you all think I'm ready to graduate to a "real" STRAIGHT RAZOR with a strop? Among the straight razors I want to stay below $200 for my first straight razor.

Questions:

• I have relatively heavy and thick beard growth. (Is that the reason the Shark blades wear out?) Do you recommend a Thiers-Issard, such as the Thiers-Issard "Super Gnome" White, 5/8, picture here; (their steel is harder? yet the edge is a tad softer than the Dovos?)
  
  or, my hope is, you would recommend
• the Dovo #1226850 Straight Razor, picture here; or the Dovo # 26820 Bismarck, picture here; or my number one choice the Dovo #76820 6/8" 'La Forme' Full Hollow Ground Round Point w/ Burgundy Pakkawood Handle, picture at the link.
• Should you recommend the 'La Forme' razor - any thoughts on pakkawood? (I remember reading somewhere to "Stay away from Pakkawood...)

Thanks for your input and hoping to become a regular member of this site.

John P.