Thread: Your 1st Straight Razor

A 5/8 Dovo Silver Steel Ebenholtz. I love the look of it and it gives me a pretty good shave, although I have nothing to compare it to. Shortly I'll be adding to my stable of blades though...I have an IXL that needs some MAAS love and then the tough choice: sell or keep (there's no middle ground for me )

Mine was a Wapi, bought because it was cheap and I'm poor . They had good reviews so I bought 3, cost me about £5 each with shipping, plus picked up a cheap strop from the same place. I'm learning to hone with them, and I'll be replacing the scales with ones I plan to make myself.

One day I'll buy something fancy, but it's a way off. I've been lucky to have had a nice brush (kent bk4) and strop (TM heirloom latigo) bought for me as presents. I'm fairly well set up for now while I learn the craft.

My first open razor purchase - a George Ibberson "Hamburg Ring" 7/8 full hollow ground. I bought it from a 'bits & pieces' stall at a local ploughing competition. It was an impulse purchase - it was there, it was Sheffield made and it was only £1. The best pound I ever spent. I had not realized until I took to using it that there was a method of shaving that avoided the razor burn and ingrowers that had plagued me for years of safety razor misery. Of course, then the RAD set in.....

My first purchase was two razors bought from a barber I know. He's been a barber for over 40 years. A C-Mon vintage wedge and a Double Duck Satinedge full-hollow, both 5/8. 25 dollars each.

I bought them because they were sharp and the barber told me they were his two best shavers (out of a box of about 20 different razors). He no longer used them since he started using disposables years ago. They remain among my best shavers and I still use them regularly, especially the wedge. I now prefer a half-hollow to wedge of 6/8 or more.

As far as brand goes, any good quality steel will do nicely. Most develop a fondness for certain brands based on personal preference/experience.

I followed the same path as Junkinduck, going with the tortoise Dovo Special. I also second the importance of determining one's reference shave. Figuring out what an ideal shave is can be tricky because the state of the blade changes with each shave. A month later, I own five razors of different steels and widths and am engaged in the search for the shave I want to have every day. All I have learned so far is that each razor is an individual and that honing is an art that will only acquire through much, much practice.

Rick

I purchased a Dovo 5/8" Stainless (#41) with Olive-wood
scales as my first razor. I wasn't a big fan of the scales, so
I eventually sold it. I do have the same blade in a pearlex
handle and I absolutely love it.

- Scott

Mine was the "no-name" 5/8 pictured here from our own JoshEarl. Despite lacking a name, it's a great shaver. With the cost of shipping and honing, he practically gave me the thing. Thanks again Josh!

Technically my first was a Beau Brummel I won on ebay that looks to be in excellent condition but it's not shave ready.

My first shave ready razor was a 5/8 Henckels I bought here from Ivo.

You can find some good deals on nice razors that will be shave ready on the BST here. In fact, you may want to look right now...someone just listed 16 shave ready razors that look great.

Good luck with your search.

Casey

I bought two ,one dovo all stainless steel and one dovo special tortoise.
I also bought a blue belgianbrocken (25x9cm) to hone them.
My strop is dovo juchten. It was not cheap but it works so well, I do not regret my choice.
Both are great shavers and they worked well out of the box.But after my first hone they are super.
I like the "special" better because the handle is lighter than the stainlessteel one,it gives the knife a better balance. it is also easier to hone a non stainless knife . I think one of these is a good start.