Need some assistance with my new obsession.

So I've shaved with my first SR three times.
I got it three days ago.
It's a Dovo Inox Stainless 5/8 round point Olivewood.

I want to buy another razor. Correction, I'm going to buy another razor. My need for assistance comes in with not knowing what to buy. I spend time browsing and can't pick one to purchase easily over another.

I'm aware based on what I've read that preference is prominent in what razors become favored. I'm also aware of what's considered to be a good style of razor for a beginner. I think I'm okay with getting something that isn't a round point. I'm definitely okay with a razor over 5/8.
I should also note that I'm very careful and have a lot of patience with the actual act of shaving and stropping. I don't see myself becoming careless and ruining a razor anytime soon.

Anyhow, I'd like to ask for some all time favorite suggestions so that I could narrow down the selection of razors to choose from. I am usually on SRP on my mobile and apologize if a similar thread has been done already.

My parameters are pretty open. Budget isn't really a concern though I'm not anxious to spend $500-$600 on my second razor.

So, thank you in advance SRP. I appreciate all of your contributions to this very encouraging and enabling site.

Kind Regards,

Alex

Attachment 216010

Firstly I would strongly suggest using the razor you have for a while longer, until you have your technique under control. However I realize that it is unlikely that you will listen :)
Have you had a look at what is available from dovo, theirs issard, ralf Aust, Boker and revisor, as far as I am aware they are the mainstays of quality new production razors. I should say that I haven't used or own any of them, I suggest looking so that you can identify some design cues that appeal to you. As it stands you will get 100 different answers from 100 different guys.
Another good source of nice razors would be our classifieds section if vintage appeals to you.

I'd strongly recommend you get your razor properly honed.
Unless you've bought it from a retailer who have explicitly stated that they hone it before sale it will have a lot better shave to give than you're currently getting.

My first SR was a dovo and my face glowed from razor burn after I used it straight out of the box.

Before buying a second razor you should get the most out of that one.

Thanks for the opinions.

The razor I have was honed and is providing me with a decent shave experience. I think at this point that falls more on my lack of technique than on the razor itself.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by edhewitt

Firstly I would strongly suggest using the razor you have for a while longer, until you have your technique under control. However I realize that it is unlikely that you will listen :)
Have you had a look at what is available from dovo, theirs issard, ralf Aust, Boker and revisor, as far as I am aware they are the mainstays of quality new production razors. I should say that I haven't used or own any of them, I suggest looking so that you can identify some design cues that appeal to you. As it stands you will get 100 different answers from 100 different guys.
Another good source of nice razors would be our classifieds section if vintage appeals to you.

---

I completely agree with this, but also agree that you are unlikely to listen. So...

You probably want something different from what you have, so I would also suggest the Classifieds first and then, amongst the current production razors, Ralf Aust. Among the current production makers, Aust's seem to be the most consistent in my limited experience and opinion. Since your first razor is a 5/8, I suggest that you try either a 6/8 or 7/8. Try to not jump up to anything any bigger than that yet.

I've been looking at them on the SRD site. 6/8 is what I'm leaning towards.

How much trickier is a square point to a round point? Should I stay with round for now or do I ride in to the danger zone??

Yes that was a Top Gun reference.

Danger zone, that's what I call my son.

I prefer 6/8 square point full hollows, right now. Who knows in a few months I may go back to near wedges.

Square points are great for being very precise, say you have facial hair that you need to get nice tight lines on. The problem with square points is that they have a tendency to cut if you're not paying attention. With a barbers notch, round point, French point, etc, you can get into hollows around the neck area or those pesky spots around the lips. That being said I love the way a square point looks and just a little bit of muting on the tip can make it much more forgiving to the uninitiated.

I think you get whatever peeks your fancy now and just get another one when your taste changes. :w

So are barbers notch and French point more forgiving than a square point?

I would say round point till you feel, down the line, that you can handle a sneaky point reminding you that you can bleed if you lose concentration even for a split second. 5/8 and 6/8 are the preferred sizes for starting. After you are competent in your technique you might try larger and/or smaller. I started with a 4/8 and now prefer 6/8 and larger. I do have a few 3/8's somewhere around here that I use for special occasions to trim around my goatee and mo.

I have owned Boker, Dovo and Austs and for the money you can't beat Austs. I am attaching a picture of my 6/8 Austs with different tips. I really like the Spanish tip. I didn't like the square, kept nicking myself. I have one 5/8 round tip Aust as well. You don't need to spend the type of money you listed to get a top razor. I went from a 5/8 to 6/8 and like it much better. The weight and feel is a little heavier.Attachment 216051 The Spanish tip is the one with the bone scale. Austs hold a fantastic edge and seem to need less maintenance. Just some stropping each time. I suggest looking into SRD modular strop. Very easy to use.

Just ordered the Ralf Aust 5/8 round in rosewood from SRD.

Looking forward to getting a Lynn hone for sharpness reference.

Thanks again everyone

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MADSTEEZE

Just ordered the Ralf Aust 5/8 round in rosewood from SRD.

Looking forward to getting a Lynn hone for sharpness reference.

Thanks again everyone

---

My EXACT choice from Lynn a month ago!! A GREAT hone on a GREAT razor!!!:)
Follow the advice......and DON'T STROP IT BEFORE THE FIRST USE!! Just rinse it off.....and SHAVE!!
Careful stropping thereafter should keep the edge well-maintained for a good while.....THEN....send it back to Lynn for a FREE refresh!!
Enjoy!

Close shaves should SOOTHE ya....NOT SCARE ya!!

I'd go for a nice vintage, all my razors are vintage and I'd never buy a new razor; I just don't like them. As far as style, get whatever you like the look of. Seriously, you'll learn to use any razor you get and it's interesting to get different styles for ALL the razors you'll buy (let's face it, you're not going to stop at two :-)).

My first razor was a Burrell Top Flight; full hollow 5/8 with a spike toe. I never found it a problem; never wished I'd got a round point and never considered dulling the toe; I just learned how to use it. I find when I shave I use mainly the belly and the heel of the razor. I have some facial hair so like cutting in around that with the heel; so i do like a nice square heel.

I like a thinner razor over a wedge; I find wedges a little 'clunky' yet I have some and use them. I find I get more 'feedback' from a thinner grind.

Variety, say say, is the spice of life; so as I say, get a bunch of different styles, a nice leather case capable of holding seven razors, and rotate them using a different one each day; that's what I do interspersed with a dabble with DE and, lately SE razors from time to time.

Check out the classifieds, I've bought all but a couple of razors from there. Also, Revisor sell 'new' vintage razors and I've got a couple of nice ones from there...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Utopian

I completely agree with this, but also agree that you are unlikely to listen.

---

One can always try. Getting another razor at this point in time is a waste of time. Not necessarily money, but time. An additional razor, especially one that is markedly different, will make the learning curve longer and harder.

But I also agree that...

As usual, I'm too late, but just for your next purchase, I'd suggest trying a different grind (heavier) which are most easily found in vintage. You say you know what you prefer, but that's hard to swear to if you've only used one type. The Aust you have on the way is a fine razor (I have one) but is very similar to the Dovo. Keep that in mind as you continue to browse and buy your next (which you & I both know you will).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dasstraightguy

My EXACT choice from Lynn a month ago!! A GREAT hone on a GREAT razor!!!:)
Follow the advice......and DON'T STROP IT BEFORE THE FIRST USE!! Just rinse it off.....and SHAVE!!
Careful stropping thereafter should keep the edge well-maintained for a good while.....THEN....send it back to Lynn for a FREE refresh!!
Enjoy!

Close shaves should SOOTHE ya....NOT SCARE ya!!

---

Well that's very reassuring!

I will absolutely NOT strop before shaving so I can bear no risk of lessening the sharpness of the blade.

Thanks for chiming in!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

I'd go for a nice vintage, all my razors are vintage and I'd never buy a new razor; I just don't like them. As far as style, get whatever you like the look of. Seriously, you'll learn to use any razor you get and it's interesting to get different styles for ALL the razors you'll buy (let's face it, you're not going to stop at two :-)).

My first razor was a Burrell Top Flight; full hollow 5/8 with a spike toe. I never found it a problem; never wished I'd got a round point and never considered dulling the toe; I just learned how to use it. I find when I shave I use mainly the belly and the heel of the razor. I have some facial hair so like cutting in around that with the heel; so i do like a nice square heel.

I like a thinner razor over a wedge; I find wedges a little 'clunky' yet I have some and use them. I find I get more 'feedback' from a thinner grind.

Variety, say say, is the spice of life; so as I say, get a bunch of different styles, a nice leather case capable of holding seven razors, and rotate them using a different one each day; that's what I do interspersed with a dabble with DE and, lately SE razors from time to time.

Check out the classifieds, I've bought all but a couple of razors from there. Also, Revisor sell 'new' vintage razors and I've got a couple of nice ones from there...

---

Thank you for the response.

I definitely like the appearance of square and french point razors, so no doubt they will at some point become a part of my rotation.

I guess I've been hesitant with vintage because I don't know what's good. I appreciate the perspective that any quality razor will work well. I'll definitely open myself up to the vintage world here soon enough.

Thanks

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RobinK

One can always try. Getting another razor at this point in time is a waste of time. Not necessarily money, but time. An additional razor, especially one that is markedly different, will make the learning curve longer and harder.

But I also agree that...

---

This is a very fair point and definitely noted.

I plan to stay in the same style of razor size and point for now. I do like variety and often obsess with hobbies of mine, so additional acquisitions will probably be inevitable.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Haroldg48

As usual, I'm too late, but just for your next purchase, I'd suggest trying a different grind (heavier) which are most easily found in vintage. You say you know what you prefer, but that's hard to swear to if you've only used one type. The Aust you have on the way is a fine razor (I have one) but is very similar to the Dovo. Keep that in mind as you continue to browse and buy your next (which you & I both know you will).

---

Thanks for the suggestion.

With knowing what is preferred I meant that I acknowledge that the general trend seems to be providing an answer stating that everyone has their own preference so suggesting one razor being better than another is too inaccurate and that I will find my own preference with time and experience. So I was basically disclaiming that I understood telling me what razor would be best for me wouldn't be easy, but that I supposed I preferred to hear others favorites and look for commonalities.

Either way, thank you. I definitely would like to try all options over time. Even the crazy war sword looking customs.:rock:

Speaking from personal experience, the sanest thing for you to do is to stop reading this, or any other, forum for at least one month. By then, you will have learned to shave with the razor you have. Which is a nice one, by the way.

The differences between various razors are not that big. Once you have mastered one, you will appreciate the subtle nuances. Until then, each new razor will make your learning curve unnecessarily steep and long.

Do not get me wrong. I appreciate those nuances as much as the next guy. But I really wish I had stuck with my first razor longer. And read the Wiki (which was non-existent at the time, mind you) more carefully. Shaving with a cut-throat razor is not difficult. It is merely a matter of getting your whisker growth sorted out (http://www.pbjsite.com/shave/whiskarmap/ if you have not visited it yet), learning to stretch the skin in the right places, truly understand how shallow shaving angles really should be (great article in the Wiki!), and train your muscles.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RobinK

Speaking from personal experience, the sanest thing for you to do is to stop reading this, or any other, forum for at least one month. By then, you will have learned to shave with the razor you have. Which is a nice one, by the way.

The differences between various razors are not that big. Once you have mastered one, you will appreciate the subtle nuances. Until then, each new razor will make your learning curve unnecessarily steep and long.

Do not get me wrong. I appreciate those nuances as much as the next guy. But I really wish I had stuck with my first razor longer. And read the Wiki (which was non-existent at the time, mind you) more carefully. Shaving with a cut-throat razor is not difficult. It is merely a matter of getting your whisker growth sorted out (http://www.pbjsite.com/shave/whiskarmap/ if you have not visited it yet), learning to stretch the skin in the right places, truly understand how shallow shaving angles really should be (great article in the Wiki!), and train your muscles.

---

I totally get it.

I did go through the library and read the recommended threads for beginning.

I am familiar with my beard growth and I am experiencing comfortable shaves wtg. Think I still have a way to go with muscle memory, and I understand that will come with time.

I appreciate your opinion in practicing self discipline as opposed to buying every razor variation out there. I think after more reading I have decided to purchase in moderation, and not get too carried away.

Thanks again