First Straight Razor for Beginner

[Scareface]

My personal opinion is that if you have a course beard is to not start with a full hollow blade like a Bismark.
The size and shape are great.
Start with a quarter hollow, round point and 5/8 to 6/8.

I started out with a Bismark and hated the shave, then I bought a quarter hollow and it shaves me smooth in two passes. The Bismark takes me more passes 4-5. To get the same results as a quarter.
Check out the Classifieds up at the top and buy a cheaper blade. You'll spend less just incase the type of blade doesn't suite your beard or shaving style.
Spend the rest on a great soap and strop. Just my two cents, that now costs more to make than it's worth.

[noy99]

My personal opinion is that if you have a course beard is to not start with a full hollow blade like a Bismark.
The size and shape are great.
Start with a quarter hollow, round point and 5/8 to 6/8.

I started out with a Bismark and hated the shave, then I bought a quarter hollow and it shaves me smooth in two passes. The Bismark takes me more passes 4-5. To get the same results as a quarter.
Check out the Classifieds up at the top and buy a cheaper blade. You'll spend less just incase the type of blade doesn't suite your beard or shaving style.
Spend the rest on a great soap and strop. Just my two cents, that now costs more to make than it's worth.

My facial hair isn't particularly too coarse, it's more like egh mediocre I guess.
Personally I don't see how it will make to large of a difference when I start due to the fact that it will be my first time shaving with a manual.

I found a half hollow - The DOVO 6/8 Bismarck Straight Razor, Pearlex Scales


Though I kind of liked the Dovo Bismark more because of its looks

[Grazor]

You certainly picked the right business to deal with, Straight Razor Designs razors do come "shave ready" which is the most important thing when you start. Size and grind are a bit more of a personal choice, but I think that is a nice looking razor. You might want to look at the Ralf Aust razors as well, they are another with good reviews here.

[Leatherstockiings]

+1 on an Aust if you are buying a new razor.

[rhensley]

I would suggest one of Dovos less expensive 5/8 or 6/8 round point to start with. I have found out over time that the angle of the blade plus the sharpness makes the difference in good or bad shaves and the only difference the grind makes is that the 1/4 to 1/2 hollow doesn't give that much feed back. Starting out it's hard to get the right angle of blade to face. if the angle is right then the shave is easy. After you get experience in shaving with the straight you'll probably add to your collection of razors of all sizes and grinds. I now have from a 8/8 wedge to a 5/8 extra hollow and get a good shave from them all. It's all about the angle and sharpness. also the 5/8 dovo is less expensive to start with and gives more money for strop and other things you'll need. Soap brush things like this. Anyway that's just my opinion and we all have one of those. I would also suggest to watch all the shaving with straight razor videos you can and pay close attention to the angle they use. very informative. Oh and welcome to straights.

[Razorfeld]

In the long run looks can be deceiving. The shave you get from a razor should be the prime consideration. Depending on your beard some grinds are better than others. The heavier grinds like a wedge, near wedge and 1/4 hollow are great for coarser growths. The stiffness of the blade cuts better. That's not to say that those grinds can't be used for other beard types. I have a medium to light beard, depending on place on my face and have an arsenal of razors in all the grinds and based on how I use each one get a consistently damn fine shave (stopped worrying about a BBS since I avoid all those special events that you'd want a BBS for.)

eBay is full of razors that 'looked good' but didn't do the job the owner wanted. Try to find other SRP members near you that are willing to let you try different grind razors so you can zero in on what really works for you. Go to Local Help link - left side of welcome page - and see if you can find a fellow shaver near you willing to share. Also look in the membership lists thru Advanced Search for your locale and nearby locales.

[ShaveWares]

My personal opinion is that if you have a course beard is to not start with a full hollow blade like a Bismark.
The size and shape are great.
Start with a quarter hollow, round point and 5/8 to 6/8.

I started out with a Bismark and hated the shave, then I bought a quarter hollow and it shaves me smooth in two passes. The Bismark takes me more passes 4-5. To get the same results as a quarter.
Check out the Classifieds up at the top and buy a cheaper blade. You'll spend less just incase the type of blade doesn't suite your beard or shaving style.
Spend the rest on a great soap and strop. Just my two cents, that now costs more to make than it's worth.

^^^This. Steve at The Invisible Edge UK sells a quarter-hollow 11/16 TI that is great for coarse beards.