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.

Welcome to SRP. I'm partial to the TI Super Gnome. I have one and and I like it quite a bit. Not that Dovo isn't good too. I just happen to like TI. I think you are probably ready as you'll ever be to make the transition. :gl:

I'm not going to be all that helpful, really, sorry. Yes, I think you are ready for a straight; much more ready maybe than many of us who go straight to a straight ('scuse the pun) rather than using a Parker or similar. However, I actually don't like any of those razors...

I'd get this, I've been lusting after it for weeks, but have decided enough is enough, and that I should stop being a Capitalist consumerist pig...

Yo,
only 2 responses? Slim pickens, eh ...
Thanks to carlamaloschneider and JImmyHad!

The shoulderless Dovo's ("Flowing", and similar blades, including the Bismarck) are very, very pretty. And you can buy one within your budget.

Have you considered using a sharper blade than a Shark? I don't know if a DE Feather (or any other Feather) fits into your Parker handle. But if it does, you'll get _at least_ one really close shave out of it.

There are two kinds of reports, here, when people switch from "shavettes" (including Feather Artist Club razors) to real straight razors:

. . . "It was the best thing I ever did!" (most people)

. . . "I like the shave from the replaceable-blade razor better." (a minority).

There's only one way to find out which group you fall into.

. Charles

Thanks Charles.
My original plan was to go through 2 months of shaving w a Shavette/Parker SR1 and then continue to the real thing, so, no I haven't tried any other blades but the Shark...
I am leaning towards the Dovo Bismarck or the Dovo La Forme.
Thanks
John

I wish I could afford to go with a brand new razor for my first straight razor lol, I didn't really want to though incase I ruin it some how. I am just going to go with shave ready vintage razors for reasonable prices until i get the hang of it.

Welcome btw, I am new as well =]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by saitou

... I didn't really want to though incase I ruin it some how. I am just going to go with shave ready vintage razors for reasonable prices until i get the hang of it....

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Exactly my feeling: That's why I went with a replaceable blade straight razor first.

You know, vintage razors have a lot of appeal, and they're not all that cheap at times. I saw a post here yesterday where a razor went on eBay for 500 bucks!

I started with a Shavette and routinely got 10 or more shaves out of Shark chrome blades.

Really not much experience with a traditional straight at all, and the more you shave with a Parker, the more experience you get with a Parker. A real straight is different. You've selected many nice blades. I suggest you just buy the one you like the most.

You'll probably find a real straight almost impossible to shave with at first.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by johnp2343

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 ...)

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It might be a combination of things . Tough beard, broad shaving angle etc.
My personal choice is the T.I..

Hey Guys,

This is my first post after joining up just a few minutes ago. I'm in about the same boat. I've been shaving with the Dovo Shavette, using the green insert. (Although with the first shave of a new blade I admittedly cut the ever loving crap out of my face.) But I've been doing okay with it for the past few months and am considering what I would like out of a first straight. I found the Dovo #1226850 on The Superior Shave as well and it seems to be everything I'm looking for. My girlfriend would point out that I am a bit particular about my "toys" so it took me some time to finally find one that seems appealing while also maintaining all of the important shaving factors for which I am searching. I have a bit of a coarse beard with a bit of an odd whisker mapping as far as I can tell. (It gets crazy on my neck ya'll.) This razor caught my eye with the 6/8 round point, the shape of the shank, and of course those beautiful scales. I don't mind dropping the money for the initial investment as we all know the price of replaceable cartridges. I'm just wondering if anyone has any insight on this blade for a dude in transition. Or if johnp2343 has had a chance to get familiar with his (hopefully) new straight.

Be Well,

Cpt.

They look nice. I think they are the best looking modern DOVO, simple and to the point. Anyway, the blade should not give you any problems. I had a Bismark which has a similar grind and profile. It worked just fine. As far as shaving your neck that is just a matter of practice. I think most men have strange growth patterns on the neck. You just have to unlock what works for you. Coarseness really should not be an issue too. Though shaving with a heavier grind might be beneficial but will not make or break you. It might not be your only straight you buy if you are like a lot of folks on here.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cptsexy0

Hey Guys,

This is my first post after joining up just a few minutes ago. I'm in about the same boat. I've been shaving with the Dovo Shavette, using the green insert. (Although with the first shave of a new blade I admittedly cut the ever loving crap out of my face.) But I've been doing okay with it for the past few months and am considering what I would like out of a first straight. I found the Dovo #1226850 on The Superior Shave as well and it seems to be everything I'm looking for. My girlfriend would point out that I am a bit particular about my "toys" so it took me some time to finally find one that seems appealing while also maintaining all of the important shaving factors for which I am searching. I have a bit of a coarse beard with a bit of an odd whisker mapping as far as I can tell. (It gets crazy on my neck ya'll.) This razor caught my eye with the 6/8 round point, the shape of the shank, and of course those beautiful scales. I don't mind dropping the money for the initial investment as we all know the price of replaceable cartridges. I'm just wondering if anyone has any insight on this blade for a dude in transition. Or if johnp2343 has had a chance to get familiar with his (hopefully) new straight.

Be Well,

Cpt.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by johnp2343

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

John P.

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Welcome to the site and I would recommend the TI, great shavers, though as already mentioned DOVOs are good too. I just prefer the TI blades.

Straight razors will never be as sharp as disposable SE or DE blades.
So, be prepared for a big disappointment when you finally get your Dovo Str8.
I have finally settled on a Merkur Futur with Feather DE blades. It is much more satisfactory (for me) to shave with it than with my collection (yes, I went a bit overboard ...) of str8s.
The str8s are toys and conversation pieces, BUT your shave will NEVER be as easy and close as you get with the Merkur Futur; in addition it will take you a while to learn how to properly strop and eventually sharpen a str8.

Good luck,
johnp

Quote:

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Originally Posted by johnp2343

Straight razors will never be as sharp as disposable SE or DE blades.
So, be prepared for a big disappointment when you finally get your Dovo Str8.
I have finally settled on a Merkur Futur with Feather DE blades. It is much more satisfactory (for me) to shave with it than with my collection (yes, I went a bit overboard ...) of str8s.
The str8s are toys and conversation pieces, BUT your shave will NEVER be as easy and close as you get with the Merkur Futur; in addition it will take you a while to learn how to properly strop and eventually sharpen a str8.

Good luck,
johnp

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That's only a little bit of malarkey. Will a straight be as sharp as a feather blade...... Could be close... Is a straight smoother than a feather blade.... Damn right! Can you better control your angle of approach and pressure with a straight, and therefore can get CLoSER more satisfying shaves..... With practice! If a great shave in a couple tries is what you want stick with a DE.... As for it being a conversation piece, I think you would find people to be more interested if you bought a nice vase and plopped it on your coffee table... Then when people come over they'll say hey, nice flowers! Bc I think you'll find 9/10 people don't care that you shave with a straight or a DE or whatever... Once hair removal comes up in convo with the general public, you'll see what Kind conversation piece you have one your hands... Once and a while you'll find someone who will think its neat, but most people are confused why you don't just shave with a Mach 5000.. IMO if you new a razor to help you have a conversation, then you may want to focus on joke telling, cooking and just being a good friend as the razor convo surely will only get you so far!

As for a reply to the OP, to be helpful, I prefer a dovo, but there are some really nice TIs out there too, each maker has pros and cons but all in all your looking at good razors if you opt for either brand. The one suggestion I would make is that you consider a 6/8. I find the slightly larger blade goes a long way in the cream removal dept. I recently picked up a dovo flowing which has a really nice hand feel to it, fill hollow 6/8... It's nice. Check it out!

As always to a new guy, good luck, don't believe everything you read online, stick with it, report back in when u get the real hang of it! If you don't know what in talking about now, when it happens you will.