I'm a simple man, looking for a top quality shaver - what razor?

I'm a simple man. I'm not looking for fancy scales or fancy (e.g. damascus) steel. I don't care whether a razor is old or new, as long as it's in good condition. I just want a razor with good steel, that is reasonably easy to hone, keeps its edge well, and---most importantly---shaves well. In short, I'm happy to pay for a great blade, but not much else.

What do you guys suggest? Would I be better served watching for a vintage razor like a Dubl Duck, JA Henckels, or ? or buying something in current production? I thought the TI Sheffield Steel razors look like they might be good, but perhaps there are better choices?

Also, would I be better sticking to a full hollow, or getting a half hollow? My current full hollow Super Kama razor makes a lot of noise and I'd kind of like something quieter. Also, would a half hollow hold its edge longer?

Please discuss, and thanks, in advance, for your thoughts, gents.

Steve --- I have the Dovo Special Black that I got with Tony's kit --- does me right --- but I don't have much to compare it to . It's just black plastic scale and blade --- simple, well made, ---

Justin

I'd suggest getting a secondhand one if you're looking for simple. I myself have a few that I'm offering but there's a few other people that are selling as well. At leat that way yhou'll know that you'regetting a tested and true blade plus it'll be shaveready in most cases.

Thanks for the suggestions, gents. I should be clear: my main objective is to get the best blade possible and I'm happy to pay up for superior steel. I just don't want to pay for fancy scales, rarity, collectibility, etc.

If you are looking at current TIs - I think the SRP LE is all that! I mean, as a shaver. Scales - they are alright, but it certainly is worthy of better scales (they are what they are to keep the cost down a bit)

Cheers
Ivo

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Originally Posted by SteveS

Thanks for the suggestions, gents. I should be clear: my main objective is to get the best blade possible and I'm happy to pay up for superior steel. I just don't want to pay for fancy scales, rarity, collectibility, etc.

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Oh -- I see --good topic to bring up because I would like a definitive answer on this as well --- do all the Dovo razors use the same steel or does price only reflect ornamentation and scales --- good subject.

Justin

Boy, you'll probably get as many opinions as there are members! As far as I can tell, the three big variables are material, size and grind, followed by a preference for blade shape.

When it comes to basic materials, Solingen steel and Sheffield steel are the two most highly regarded of the vintage blades. There has been considerable discussion regarding the metallurgical properties of some of the new steels, and don't even ASK about damascus/damasteel/wootz steels (but those don't fall into your category.) My personal preference is for Sheffield - it just seems a marginal bit 'softer' (my term) and easier to hone...but probably doesn't hold an edge quite as long as the Solingen.

When it comes to grind...well, it goes all the way from the Full-Hollow 'singing' razors to a wedge...and here's where personal preference REALLY comes into play. The thinner the blade, generally, the more 'flex'...some like the very thin blades, some prefer something with a bit more heft. I personally go for the half to quarter hollows...I've never had a wedge, but I hear that they are more difficult to hone (I assume because the whole side of the blade is touching the hone, not just the edge and the spine). I find h half/quarter hollow Sheffield's give me the right balance between stiffness of blade and smoothness of shave.

Size of blade generally varies from 3/8 to 8/8 and beyond - with 5/8 and 6/8 seeming to be the most popular. My preference tends toward the smaller (3/8 to 4/8) blades - I've used quite a few 5/8 and 6/8 - nothing bigger -I find the smaller blades easier to maneuver around my (large) nose and mustaches, and in the cleft below my lower lip.

And blade shape is another variable totally dependent on personal preference. Probably the most popular and common is the round point (I'm sorry, but I find round points....well....boring). My preference is for a Barber notch (just for good, old-timey sexy-coolness) and a French point (for ease of trimming and detailing around the mustache).

In summary my personl preferences are, and recomendations would be:

Sheffield: a black handled Wade and Butcher, 4/8 Barber notch

Solingen: a NOS black handled Merkur 4/8 French Point - (currently available on eBay.)

okay, guys, fire away

-whatever

-Lou

BTW: I didn't even touch on Stainless vs Carbon steels - but I'm tired of typing!

EDIT: When I started typing, there were no replys to this thread -
(...I have GOT to learn speed typing!...)

A stiffer grind will definitely cut down on the noise. You can get better deals on a good condition vintage in shave-ready condition if you buy it from one of the members here.

I'm a big fanof Sheffield steel. It's either that or Stainless mostly for me.....but I've yet to buy one for myself. (a Stainless that is...I've got two sheffields in my posession of which one TI)


But mainly...it's all personal preference...there's not real "best" out there really.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by FiReSTaRT

A stiffer grind will definitely cut down on the noise. You can get better deals on a good condition vintage in shave-ready condition if you buy it from one of the members here.

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I will agree with Firestart on buying a vintage from
a forum member.

Also as far as new razors go, I have a 6/8 Dovo Special
and have been very satisfied with it.


Terry

Buying a new razor won't be so simple because you will have to get it honed, with decorations or not, unless you buy a set from Tony. Many people on this site have good shavers including myself. I have a few on Ebay, now.

As far as Steel, well, this is a real preference. I love my Bengall and TI Silver Steel which are Sheffield Steel, but my 6/8 Revisior, and my 6/8 Henckels which is German Steel hangs right with them.

To start, you need a razor that shaves. There are lots of nice shavers if they are honed. I developed a little test called the "Chin Test" Which I do before I put a razor on Ebay. Shaving with a razor is the only way to know it's shave ready.

There is a razor I put up this week that I have never shaved with before and it supprized the heck out of me. It's a Genco, made by Geneva Cutlery, NY.

Expensive, no. Fancy, no. Big name, no. Good shave, yes.

And I have a moustache test. If it can handle a wtg pass in that area with zero pulling, it will handle the rest of the shave nicely. If not, then I pull out the DE to finish up.

Thanks for your replies, gents. As I understand the consensus so far, most recommend a "vintage" razor because (1) if I buy from an established member here, it will arrive well-honed and (2) it will be less expensive than a similar new razor.

Do the vintage razors have better blades than modern TI-Sheffield or the pricier Dovo-Solingen razors? Since both are available through Classic, if I go that route, I'd have it sent to Lynn for honing, which removes one reason to go vintage.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SteveS

Do the vintage razors have better blades than modern TI-Sheffield or the pricier Dovo-Solingen razors? Since both are available through Classic, if I go that route, I'd have it sent to Lynn for honing, which removes one reason to go vintage.

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I wouldn't say that the new ones are better or worse than the old ones. Seems to me that there are a lot more choices if you go vintage. If you want a plain scale good shaver, go with the SRP razor as Izlat suggests or go with a Dovo Super Bismarck (about 50 bucks). The first can be had at classicshaving and the second at the Nashville Knive Shop. Do yourself a favor and send it in to Lynn if you do go new.
I'm not saying that you shouldn't try a vintage razor from one of the members here, just offering suggestions if you decide to go with a new blade.
Good Luck and please post your results!
-Fred

Or, you could do what I seem to be doing.....

















......get one of everything!

(...my wife just saw my PayPal account!:eek: :gth ...)

-whatever

-Lou

Probably the ultimate expression of the "great blade/plain scales" motif is the Dubl Duck Wonderedge. Unfortunately, it's (a) extremely hollow ground (b) a cult classic (c) collectible.

The TI SRP is a great suggestion because it's readily available, a great shaver, and has plain boxwood scales to keep the cost down.

Also www.shaveshop.com has Henckels Friodurs with plain plastic scales, these are full hollow razors but are stainless, very stiff, and very hard. Somewhat harder to hone than carbon steel but keep the edge longer.

If you want a quiet razor, get the TI Super Gnome from Classicshaving and get Lynn to hone it. This is a half hollow razor with plain white or black scales, and like all TI's it's a great shaver.

I think you'll find that you become partial to your first razor, assuming it is decent, regardless of make/model. I am growing my new collection, and very often go back to the 5/8 Morley that was my first. It is 'comfortable'.

That said, one of the great things about straight razors is that older, antique collectible razors can shave every bit as well as the newest top of the line models. Just get it honed properly to new steel and you're good to go. Many of the folks on here sell refurbs which are in great shaving shape. - John

I just lucked out on my first one. It was a 6/8 3-pin Taylor's Eye Witness round point singer, with a bit of staining and close to zero hone wear. Its shaving performance turned out to be superior to anything else I own even though the Heartring, the Genco and the King Cutter come pretty close.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by scarface

Or, you could do what I seem to be doing.....

......get one of everything!

(...my wife just saw my PayPal account!:eek: :gth ...)

-whatever

-Lou

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Oh no Lou, um run...wait too late for that. Play dead.:roflmao

On a more serious note, sometimes the ...more senior members post some good razors for sell. LX_emergency is one of them. Vintage vs. New is more of a personal choice I think. I do agree that there is more variety if you choose vintage. I only have one New razor that I got with my Tony Miller Kit and it is one of my staples. I also have a dorko that I sent with the others that I am selling to Lynn for Honing (your days are numbered, whiskers...you hear me...borrowed time!!!). Can't wait to get that one back for a shave.

I'd say a TI wold be a great choice. If you want to get a refurbished blade, Sheffield would remain my top choice, but there are other greats to from Solingen and Eskeltuna ...

X

Get a Wapienica for wojtec (see the ebay forum. the wapienica has a dedicated thread). They are dirt cheap and take on a very good edge.

That's 10$ that 'll last you a lifetime.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SteveS

Do the vintage razors have better blades than modern TI-Sheffield or the pricier Dovo-Solingen razors? Since both are available through Classic, if I go that route, I'd have it sent to Lynn for honing, which removes one reason to go vintage.

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Lynn does also offer honing services for razors bought elsewhere AFAIK.

Joe Chandler also offers the service. He can also do a full resto, including a re-grind and making new scales.

My personal preference is for sheffield steel wedge but I have excelent shaves and with sheffield hollows( wedges have a very light curve in the blade so the stone touches only the spine and the bevel but in aprox. 3x -4x larger surface than the hollow razors and the majority of them are smiling so are better to shave with, but a little difficult to hone until you practice how to hone these)
But my sugestion is to pay more attention on how to keep a keen edge and to the shaving preparation
(the razor choice is matter of personal prefference and you must try different styles in time to see what is for you)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Yannis

My personal preference is for sheffield steel wedge but I have excelent shaves and with sheffield hollows( wedges have a very light curve in the blade so the stone touches only the spine and the bevel but in aprox. 3x -4x larger surface than the hollow razors and the majority of them are smiling so are better to shave with, but a little difficult to hone until you practice how to hone these)
But my sugestion is to pay more attention on how to keep a keen edge and to the shaving preparation
(the razor choice is matter of personal prefference and you must try different styles in time to see what is for you)

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Any tips on honing these razors

Quote:

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Originally Posted by heliguy

Any tips on honing these razors

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Narrow stones with curved edges (4cmx20cm),
45 deg , heel leading,
X pattern,
change of weight from heel to tip through the cource,

narrow padlle strop (0,5 and 0.25 micron)
X pattern
change of weight from heel to tip,

5 to 6,5 cm strop,
X pattern

Practice -Practice- Practice!!!!!!!!!!!!
Honing is as driving

Great advice, Yannis

Cheers
Ivo

Thank you both

There is a gentleman on E-Bay altima55 who does a very nice job of restoring or finding razors and getting them shave ready. Nice and clean and new looking when done.

I would ask if the specific razor was a good shaver, then bid about 19.95 for anything he offers.

Last week a missed a double duck by a buck. My wife says I have enough ra zors.

He will also restore your razors (for a fee).

I have one from my great grandfather that I am having him restore.