What to do for a change?

Hi All

I have been shaving over a year now with a standard Dovo 5/8 round tip and doing OK with it. I also have a 4/8 EKS Solingen razor which I believe could be stainless and a re-scaled Wapi. I have never used either of these two razors

Due to lack of funds I have not been able to get any honing gear (or developed any honing skils!) and have to send my razor away for honing. I can only afford to send one of these razors away for honing right now and so I wondered what you guys would recommend I send away which will make the biggest change of shaving experience. Should it be the Wapi or the little 4/8 spike?

Cheers
Ray

I found that the smaller razors gave me a completely different shaving experience. I've got a 3/8 Heljestrand. That said, i rarely use it, & when i do it's like a novelty shave. I use it once, then it goes away for an age. At least i've tried it though! If you want to try something a little unusual, but which may not get aired often, hone the EKS. If you want a more useful tool that's nothing out of the ordinary, do the Wapi. No offence meant to Wapi fans.

Ray, not sure if this is still going on but for a time Utopian and a few other members were offering free honing to new members to establish themselves in the honing community. Again, not sure it's still going on but would not hurt to look or maybe shoot a PM over.

Enjoy

Joe

I'm in the UK, if you want I will hone them for you. No garuntees, but I have honed and shaved with maybe a dozen razors now, I have no desire to develop a rubbish reputation. All it would cost you is postage here and back

Up to you, get in touch if you're interested.

If not, my choice would be the 4/8 spike every day of the week.

+1 on the 4/8 spike everyday of the week. I shaved with a 4/8 spike for 3 months now and that being said I feel it's a little small and am now going to try 5/8, but I'm glad I did, because in learning how to use that small blade I now have a trimming razor for those hard to get places! Plus the narrow blade and precise point allow you to do more accurate "detailing" should you feel so inclined.

Thanks for the very kind offer gregs656!!

PM sent and much appreciated!!

All the best
Ray

In the future (should you still remain sans-stone), I'd say for sure send off the Dovo to be freshened. 4/8 is small but the steel (to me at least) is more solid and likely able to hold an edge longer than a Wapi. But obviously some results may vary....

EKS makes a great razor. I have a 4/8s gold krone. I've never seen a stainless one though. Unless it says stainless I would think its HCS. If you can manage the smaller size I would say the EKS is a better razor than the Dovo.