Thread: Which razor?

I'm new here, and I don't know if this should be posted here, or in the beginners forum. If it wasn't supposed to be posted here I apologize.

I'm in the market for my first straight razor. I've been told by plenty of people to get a cheaper blade, a shavette, etc. The thing is, I don't want to buy a cheaper blade, and I won't. When I say cheaper I mean under $100. I have two blades I'm currently looking at, and was hoping I could get some expert advice to maybe point me in the right direction, or give me guidance.

The two razors are: DOVO Palisander, and the TI 1937 Special Coiffuer.

I was almost dead set on the TI, but then just recently people are telling me to go with the Palisander because it has wood scales, and not plastic. With that being said, I've also read that TI straights hold an edge better?

I'm sure I'll have several questions for you guys, so please, please bare with me!

For around $150 (give or take) what is the razor you would recommend? Would it be one of the two I mentioned?

Thank you guys in advance!!

Without doubt, the Feather SS folder. I've shaved with one now for two months straight and am getting wonderful shaves. It uses replaceable Feather blades, so sharpness is a given. It helps you refine your technique and works very well. I will eventually return to my 60 or so straights, but I've been loving the shaves I've been getting. The Feather SS with the Pro-Guard blades is the Rolls Royce of "shavettes", and there is nothing "cheap" about it at all.

Either one should be fine. I don't particularly care about the wood scales on that dovo. The ones with ebony I'd certainly take before plastic, but not the one on the palisander.
But if those are your cup of tea nothing wrong with that choice.

As far as the feather recommendation goes, I've bought those twice and sold them twice (at 40% to 50% loss). It's the best shavette type of razor, whole different class than the rest, but it is nothing like a straight razor. It is really well made tool, it is very efficient, but the feel when shaving is completely different. If you want the proper straight razor experience a Feather shavette is not going to provide it.

There is a big difference between cheap and inexpensive in my opinion. None of my razors cost over $100 and most of them were under $50. My favorite was $45 shipped and i get my most enjoyable shaves from it. I can't help you make a decision of the 2 you are looking at as I have no experience with either. I can say that i found it helpful starting with a shavette as it let me focus on technique without having to learn that and the stropping and maintenance of a straight all at once. Once i felt comfortable with a shavette I moved to straights and am now working on the stropping and will then move on to the honing. Either way, good luck with whatever you choose, I'm sure you'll find shaving with an SR very enjoyable. Have a blessed day.

Yeah, I've been recommended by several people, including my friend who uses one, to get a replaceable blade razor. I have heard they are great shavers. I personally o not want one though. Nothing against the razor, I just want to be completely happy with my purchase and I feel I wouldn't be.

I wish I had a store closer to me that I could go browse razors, but nothing is really in my area. There is an Art Of Shaving store in the mall close to my house, but they don't carry any straight razors, just safety razors, shaving cream, after shaves, etc.

I just don't know what razor to get...there are a lot that look nice (to me) and seem that they would be good. The Palisander, The Gentlemen, and Carpe Diem all by DOVO seem nice. TI makes a couple that I'd like to get as well, 1937 SC, and Le Dandy.

What would you guys recommend in the $150 price range? (give or take) Is it true that TI razors hold a better edge? Is it also true that TI's plastic scales are more durable than DOVO's? I'm pretty sure I want a 5/8 blade, and either a half or full hollow.

Originally Posted by gugi

If you want the proper straight razor experience a Feather shavette is not going to provide it.

I agree wholeheartedly with this assessment. I know there are Gents who prefer them but I think the experience of a traditional straight razor is unlike any other shaving experience. As for your selection, any properly honed razor vintage or new will give you what you desire.

I don't think the durability of the scales is an issue. If you don't treat your razor properly the blade will be gone far before the scales.
The edge holding isn't much different. If you want noticeably longer edge retention you want to be looking at stainless steels and there is probably just one choice for a new razor - Dovo 41, but these days it may cost more than $150.
For more stainless options you have to be looking at vintage - friodur and even better hess 44, which you may be able to find in your price range. However that's a whole different game - you can't just walk into a store and buy those and they wouldn't be brand new, which seems to be important to you.

I think most current dovos would be very comparable among themselves (provided the same blade grind), and likewise most TIs. With dovo you have basically their full hollow grind with the stabilizer, you have the shoulderless grind like on the rennaisance and you have the bergischer lowe, plus the stainless which is the full hollow grind, but different steel.
With TI you have the same c135 steel and two grinds one with a shoulder one without.
The rest is scales and there what you absolutely should stay away from is if they are too heavy (e.g. stainless steel, the real MOP, and on one of the dovo's horn models), or of a particularly funky shape that dovo does on few models.

I'm not very experienced, but when I was looking for a new razor in that same price range i was looking at the Ralph Aust Solingen Black at SRD, I believe they are out of stock at the moment. Also the Boker tree brand with brown micarta at The Superior shave. I opted for older and vintage razors instead and have been pleased with all of them except one. Again, I'm still learning myself just giving you other options to look at. Keep us posted with whatever you choose and also your first experience with a straight.

Strangely enough, I never really looked into Boker. They seem to be nice. This is a quote directly from TSS.

"Böker's been around forever, maintaining Solingen operations for greater than a century. We've had the brand for 4 years, & I'd say their workmanship's superior in the average of the fit/finish standards to Dovo or Thiers-Issard (though that doesn't mean it'll shave better). I personally don't care much about that as long as the razor works, but to each their own; if you want the best workmanship in a blade in terms of pinning, centering, grinding marks, etc etc., and you don't want a 'custom' razor, it is likely true that the Böker brand is the EU's best modern 'production' razor. "

Would any of you recommend a Boker over a DOVO or TI in my price range? If so, which one?

Narrowing down my options! Can't wait to make my purchase and get into straight razor shaving!

Boker stopped making razors a long time ago. They resurrected the razor operations but like all the other outfits that have done that they had to find a whole new crew and train them. I doubt Boker makes the best blades. My money would still be with TI.