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Hi Guys,
I want to try a beefier razor than my full hollow 5/8 stainless Dovo. I am still new at this, but with my heavy beard I suspect I might like a different blade.
Is there such a thing as a half hollow stainless razor? Is damascus steel really all the stores claim it is?
What are some of the pros and cons of the various options?
Scott
Unless you get a custom I think all the stainless are hollow grinds. probably full or double since they were made at the end of straight manufacture and full or double hollows were what were being made then. You could go with a larger razor like a 6/8s or 7/8s which will be heavier or go with a part hollow or wedge which would also be heavier and feel different.
Personally, I think you can get an equal shave no matter your beard type or razor size and or type. Many will prefer one over the other and you just have to experiment for yourself to see what you prefer. Sorry but there is no other way to do it unless you know someone with alot of razors who will loan you different kinds.
I have to agree with thebigspender in that you can get an equally good shave wtih just about any grind of razor. Having said this, I prefer a half hollow or quarter hollow razor.
There are not too many customs that are made in stainless. Joe Chandler uses stainless and I believe Maestro Livi makes some of his blades in stainless. One thing to consider when getting a stainless is that they are somewhat more difficult to hone. However, they do maintain an edge a wee bit better than high carbon steel. For the differences, I would recommend the high carbon steel for your razor. A little camelia oil and your blade will maintain its nice finish between shaves.
Damascus steel is gorgeous but will not give you a significantly better shave than a finely tuned high carbon steel razor.
Since you now have a 5/8 razor, you may want to try a 6/8 razor as your next razor.
I have never honed a damascus razor but I have read several times on SRP they ain't easy to hone.
Depends on the Dam some are just as easy as Carbon some are a bitchQuote:
Originally Posted by Kees
I would agree with you about the less that full hollow ground. While I would agree that you can get a good shave from about any razor, what kind of effort does it take? It is like the old adage about the motorcycle and the Mercedes, they both get you there but they are different. I finally have a 1/4 ground and I love it. It is so smooth and gives me a great shave, every time. Do I like taking the motorcycle out for a spin, you bet!, but I just can't put down the 1/4 ground because it is so smooth and non-irritating. YMMV
Later,
Richard
Don's right. I have a few and my Zowada's and Livi's are really pretty straight forward to hone. On the otherhand my TI damascus is the razor from hell as far as honing goes. Luckily once honed you can get hundreds of shaves before having to even do a touchup.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kees
The Zowadas are some I have been eyeing. Do they last as long as TI?Quote:
Originally Posted by thebigspendur
What is so difficult about the TI?
Scott
Not sure what you mean by "last." Any new straight razor will last a lifetime of you, your son, a grandson, and at least a great grandson given proper maintenance.Quote:
Originally Posted by beezaur
Now a vintage razor might last maybe one of the above lifetimes less so it might only be good for another 150 years or so with proper maintenance.
On a more serious note, if you have the bucks go for a Zowanda. You will get a premium custom razor. You should know that they honed up with tape and a double bevel so you will either need to send your razor to someone that understands this technique or learn it yourself.
I mean, how long does the sharpened edge last before it needs rehoning. This seems to be a major selling point according to some stores. For example:
Emphasis mine. Source: Zowada RazorsQuote:
Originally Posted by classicshaving.com
I was wondering if they really are "all that."
Scott
My opinionated opinion:
Buy a damascus if you like the looks of one and have that kind of money to spend on a single razor. It will not be a Super-Razor that will hold an edge infinitely long. Your stainless Dovo probably will hold an edge as long as any other razor out there, as it is resistant to corrosion, which is a chief cause of edge degradation. My Dovo Renaissance holds an edge extremely well.
OK, so if you want to spend $790 for a razor, it will be an awesome razor, no doubt.
Personally, I'd suggest you try a LeGrelot 1/4 grind from rasurpur.de. It's not stainless, but carbon razors aren't that hard to maintain (I'm a fan of stainless for ease of use, but right now I have 4 carbon, and only 1 SS). It is ~$175 delivered, and it is an awesome example of a heavier grind razor. Defeinitely will give you a different shave experience.
Personally I do find that I prefer a heavier grind, it gives me a much pleasanter shave experience. Full hollows will get me BBS, but don't feel so nice getting me there...
Or, as mentioned, Joe Chandler makes 1/4 grind custom razors (check out Straight Razor Designs), they seem to run about $450 or so?
Or the TI Super Gnome is a carbon 1/2 hollow. I don't have one, can;t say what they're like, but they can be purchased on Classic for <$100.
And of course, there is the ubiquitous Wapi 1/2 hollow. It is not nearly as beefy as the LeGrelot, and alslo not nearly as nice by a long shot! But it is super affordable ($22 new and unhoned, or ~$40-55 honed and delivered)
In summary:
If I were you, I wouldn't blow all the cash on one high ticket razor alone (unless you really, really want to, in which case, go for it!:D), when you could spend that $800 on a bunch of new razors, hones, strops, etc. and enjoy a full array of fun!
The Wapi is between a 2 1/2 and a 3 on this chart. It's pretty stiffQuote:
Originally Posted by Seraphim
http://www.theinvisibleedge.co.uk/_w...wp4f0d8a05.png
I'd say III grind. But even so, the actual edge is still fairly flexible.
Here's one of my Wapis I so happen to have here at my cube.
Light pressure on the edge of the desk clearly deforms the edge.
The LeGrelot doesn't do this, nor does my Dovo Renaissance (just checked that one too!:rolleyes:)
Wow! Well there you go. Maybe it has more to do with the soft steel than the grind, I've heard the Wapi is so easy to hone because of the steel. At any rate, it looks like it isn't as stiff as your LeGrelotQuote:
Originally Posted by Seraphim
My Friodurs did that as well, but they are full hollow grind.