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

[johnp2343]

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.

[JimmyHAD]

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.

[carlmaloschneider]

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...

[johnp2343]

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

[cpcohen1945]

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

[johnp2343]

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

[saitou]

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 =]

[johnp2343]

... 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....

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

[carlmaloschneider]

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!

[ace]

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