Thread: A first straight razor? Please advise!

I don't think there is anything 'wrong' with any of those Dovos, I might be tempted - if I was starting out, to get the 5/8 not the 4/8.

5/8 is a bit of a base line, a lot of guys wouldn't use smaller than a 5/8 and they often get recommended to new guys.

Personally, my preference lies with 4/8 blades, and I have one of those 4/8 dovos on the way from a trade. It would seem, however, that I am in the minority on that one.

Dear Sirs, thank you for both recommending the 5/8 Dovo over the 4/8 variety.

However, I am mindful that I might possibly be more suitable to a 4/8.

What would determine which sized blade might be preferable for a particular man's face and skin-type?

Originally Posted by Pipps

However, I am mindful that I might possibly be more suitable to a 4/8.

What would determine which sized blade might be preferable for a particular man's face and skin-type?

Welcome to SRP.

Personally (and almost everything about straight shaving is very personal), I would advise to go for a bigger blade. The advantage of a small blade is its manoeuvrability, which, incidentally, is also its biggest disadvantage for a beginner. Getting the angle right is probably the most important part to be learnt for a beginner (apart from not cutting off ears or your nose): Advanced shaving techniques for the straight razor - Straight Razor Place Wiki.

If I had to start over, I would go for a nice 5/8 or 6/8 from the Classifieds.

Regards,
Robin

I found a 4/8 razor a little too fiddly to use, and I am no clumsy oaf with most other things (my work involves working with some tiny machine parts for textile manufacture).
Fantastic for touching up awkward to get to areas though, but I found a 5/8 was much more controllable and a little more forgiving for actually shaving with. You need all the forgiving a razor has when you are learning!

I am actually a little sad that I didn't like the 4/8, as it belonged to my grandfather and possibly his father before him. It's a cute little "THE MAB" midget! Still, as I have found how handy it is for awkward areas, it probably gets used more times than my others even if it doesn't get the same mileage!!

Originally Posted by m0isty

I am actually a little sad that I didn't like the 4/8, as it belonged to my grandfather and possibly his father before him. It's a cute little "THE MAB" midget! Still, as I have found how handy it is for awkward areas, it probably gets used more times than my others even if it doesn't get the same mileage!!

Ah, now, the MABs are a little different in my experience. I don't find mine difficult to use, but it does have a distinctly different feel to my other narrow blades - I believe this is down to the short blade length. I like mine a lot.

If you really like the idea of a 4/8, then it is technically as capable as any other razor.

Don't get me wrong, I love the little thing to bits! As you say though, it is tiny even for a 4/8 so handles differently to most other razors.
And I really did try to get used to it, as it has sentimental value as well as being cute, but I prefer a slightly larger blade. My current favourite is a 13/16 ERN . My second fave is a 5/8 Carnos!