choosing a new razor, advice needed

My wife wants to celebrate my raise, and I have chosen to buy myself a nice razor. I don't have any razors bigger than 5/8, and plan to get something kinda nice for myself.
Right now, I am leaning towards an 8/8 Henckels Friodur. My only worry is the stainless blade, which I have never used before.
I also looked at some 7/8 Dorko blades, which were very nice, but I wanted to avoid gold wash if possible (although the Dorko's gold is not something that would keep me form buying it).
So, what do you more experienced members say? I have around $200-250 to spend, and this might be my last big razor purchase for a while. I want to get the biggest bang for my buck, so to speak.

Going from a 5/8s to an 8/8s is like going from an italian sports car to an 18 wheeler. I'm not sure I would recommend going that route unless you have handled an 8/8s before. They can be massive and quite a handful. If I were you I would go 6/8s or 7/8s at the most. In your price range I would go with a TI. Classic shaving has quite a few. You could contact Mr Williams about a custom but I think even a modest 6/8s would be over $300 but you never know so contact him.

I'd go with the Dorko, but if you decide to look at a custom, check with Mr. Chandler as well in your price range.

Good Luck.

Lynn

I love Dorko's. I hardily recommend them..

are the Wacker ground Dorkos just as good as the vintage Dorko's?
They have several nice examples of them at the shavingshop that I was looking at.

Not sure. mine are mostly NOS.

I have a number of 8/8 Friodurs, and they are excellent shavers. It took some practice to adapt to the wider blade, but it is not difficult. The steel in these babies is very hard. They require many more strokes on the hone than a carbon steel razor. I don't think you would be disappointed.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Daedalus

I have a number of 8/8 Friodurs, and they are excellent shavers. It took some practice to adapt to the wider blade, but it is not difficult. The steel in these babies is very hard. They require many more strokes on the hone than a carbon steel razor. I don't think you would be disappointed.

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It's good to hear that, cause thats what I ended up ordering. After this thread, and the advice I talked myself into a 7/8 wacker ground Dorko, but when I went to order, somehow I ended up with the 8/8 Friodur spanish point. It's like something came over me....

Well, I'll still get the Dorko I was looking at, I just have to find something to blackmail the wife with so she gives me some money...

Thanks for all the advice guys, it was appreciated (even if my heart didn't listen).

Flowers.......

If nothing else, they are preventative maintenance.

Lynn