Thread: Need advice on a straight purchase please!!!

Originally Posted by Jfala

Ivo,

Thanks. I guess I'm just going to have to pick one and go with it.

This may have been discussed elsewhere, but does a 1/2 hollow hold it's edge longer than a full hollow, or does it not matter?

This would be a question of steel mostly, I think. (btw, both edges can be equally sharp.)

Now - most of the wedges are vintage Sheffields, especially the fuller ones, and they generally aren't as hard as some hollows. In this case, a particluar hollow can hold a better edge than a wedge. Also, I am not aware of stainless wedges, and a stainless hollow would hold the edge longer.

No - scratch this - Joe Chandler just started making custom stainless wedges - but I can't compare how they hold an edge because I don't have one.

Cheers
Ivo

Ivo,

So, the razors sold at ClassicShaving.com and VintageBlades will be full hollow no matter the type of steel?

Not all of them, CS sell half hollows: all Thiers-Issard Super Gnomes are half hollow, just check their site and individual descriptions. I don't have one BTW so can't tell you how they shave.

Originally Posted by Jfala

To continue this thought, I too am looking for a first razor (using DEs now), have a tough beard as well and my question concerns hollow grind. From what I've read a 1/2 hollow seems to be better for tougher beards than a full hollow; is this correct?

The best thing for a tough beard is a really sharp razor, and good prep work before the shave. Heavier grinds and stiffer razors will give you a bit of extra edge, but there's no real substitute for prep and sharp.

Edit: If you're looking at a new razor, I've really fallen in love with my Dovo Bergischer Lowe (~$150). My favorite TI's are all limited editions (~$$$). Even though you said price is no object, there's no point breaking the bank for your first razor before you know what style of razor you like.

Originally Posted by mparker762

The best thing for a tough beard is a really sharp razor, and good prep work before the shave. Heavier grinds and stiffer razors will give you a bit of extra edge, but there's no real substitute for prep and sharp.

Edit: If you're looking at a new razor, I've really fallen in love with my Dovo Bergischer Lowe (~$150). My favorite TI's are all limited editions (~$$$). Even though you said price is no object, there's no point breaking the bank for your first razor before you know what style of razor you like.

Much appreciated. So it does seem that I should find a razor that I am happy with, no matter the grind and go with that. I assume, as my technique gets better then the grind my play more of a role as my preferences are solidified.

As far as my first razor purchase, I plan on adding the straight to my current DE rotation. I know that there will be a steep learning curve so I want shave with the straight 2 to 3 times per week as time allows. I don't mind taking care of the razor (ie. oiling with carbon steel) but I also don't want the edge to dull on my too quick - or shouldn't this be a concern now. Basically, I am trying to decide between carbon and stainless steel. This seems to be my biggest point of confusion.

Thanks again.

Jeff

There's more to "style of razor you like" than grind. There's also length, blade width, thumb notches, extended tails, various flavors of jimps, stainless vs carbon steel, a wide variety of tips, etc. There's no point getting a 7/8 Zowada damascus with a spanish tip only to find out that you really prefer 5/8 size, stainless, spike tips, and thumb notches.

When I first started, I preferred 7/8 and 8/8 razors, and really heavy near-wedge grinds. After a few months, I started gravitating to smaller 5/8 razors and lighter 4/4 and 3/4 grinds. I didn't really give any thought to it, I just began noticing that I was reaching for different razors than I used to, and eventually noticed some common features between my new favorites. Those razors I loved early on haven't been out of their boxes in months. Fortunately I didn't spend more than a hundred or two on any of them, or I'd be pretty sad.

OK, now more confused than ever...

Well, my face isn't very big and I've been gravitating towards the 5/8 models as good compromise between size and maneuverability (based on reading many posts). I guess it comes down to carbon or stainless...then there is the strop issue. Oh no!

It's hard for me to imagine anyone not liking a bergischer lowe, that should be a great choice to get started with if you're willing to pay for a higher end razor. 5/8 is a good size to begin with and I wouldn't recommend anything over 6/8 until you've been at it for a little while.

Plenty of guys got started with razors that cost less than $50 honed and ready to use. Those seem harder to find these days but still come up on the BST forum from time to time.

I've said it before and I'll say it again.

Newbies are generally best served by purchasing a couple of vintage straight razors in "shave-ready" condition from board members or purchasing from a reputable e-bay vendor and having the razor professionally honed.

I purchased my first three razors from altima55 on e-bay for under $100 shave-ready and shipped.

For this price, I got three 5/8 razors (two hollows and one 1/2 - 3/4 hollow - the later being one of my favourite razors - I like it better than my 6/8 TI Sheffield Steel) - all of which had been completely restored, cleaned and honed. This is what I would have paid for one entry level TI or Dovo.

If I were to purchase a new razor, I'd likely go for a TI Gnome - at $80, you'd get a nice 1/2 hollow 5/8 (for $12 more you could go up to a 6/8) which is a nice grind for starting out - add $20 for honing and a few bucks for shipping and you've got yourself a nice shave-ready razor for just over $100.

Its up to you, but I've never purchased a brand new razor - all of mine have been used (in many cases they were near new) and have saved a lot of money in the process.

Anyhow, its your $ and you can do whatever you want with it. I will say that it took a few razors before I figured out what my size/grind preferences were.

Just my $0.02

Originally Posted by suzuki

I've said it before and I'll say it again.

Newbies are generally best served by purchasing a couple of vintage straight razors in "shave-ready" condition from board members or purchasing from a reputable e-bay vendor and having the razor professionally honed.

I purchased my first three razors from altima55 on e-bay for under $100 shave-ready and shipped.

For this price, I got three 5/8 razors (two hollows and one 1/2 - 3/4 hollow - the later being one of my favourite razors - I like it better than my 6/8 TI Sheffield Steel) - all of which had been completely restored, cleaned and honed. This is what I would have paid for one entry level TI or Dovo.

If I were to purchase a new razor, I'd likely go for a TI Gnome - at $80, you'd get a nice 1/2 hollow 5/8 (for $12 more you could go up to a 6/8) which is a nice grind for starting out - add $20 for honing and a few bucks for shipping and you've got yourself a nice shave-ready razor for just over $100.

Its up to you, but I've never purchased a brand new razor - all of mine have been used (in many cases they were near new) and have saved a lot of money in the process.

Anyhow, its your $ and you can do whatever you want with it. I will say that it took a few razors before I figured out what my size/grind preferences were.

Just my $0.02

Suzuki,

Great advice, thank you. I will take a look around on eBay or the board before making a final decision. To start, do you feel that having 2 razors is a good idea?

Jeff