Thread: Preferred razor

I'm new to this business, but there appears to be quite a special connection between owners and their razors, so what are the criteria for a favourite razor? Obviously, the quality of the shave is paramount, but what makes a shave better than another? Does the aesthetic of the blade affect the perception of the standard of the shave? Do any of you have a favourite blade which is a beaten up old ebay-special or something you dug out of a drawer once and prefer to the priciest DOVO on the rack?

Thoughts?

First razors are usually pretty special, and any you had a hand in making I'm sure are candidates, and gifts too obviously.

Lots of things make razors special, I personally haven't shaved with enough to say either way.

Personally, I wouldn't buy a new Dovo, especially if it was pricy.

I tend to prefer Sheffield blades. I have a preference for half to quarter hollow razors, but I'm starting to like full hollows more and more. For scales, I tend to prefer black horn. I do have some manufacturers that I'm partial to also. Beyond that, I can't really say; some razors just scream "Buy me and don't let go!"

Razors are very interesting, they are like new girls friends, they are unique, exciting, and all different. The first razor that gave you a good shave will never be forgotten. You may start with that favorite razor shave with it for months and then a new razor comes along. You like the way it feels on the face, it has an appealing look, and whoa a nice shave and a new favorite razor is born. The good thing about razors, they don't care if you have more than one razors.

The key features of a good razor:
Blade hold a good edge
Correct thickness to hold a good bit of lather
Good balance
Nice looking never hurts
A friendly point

Some of my favorites, but that list may change
Le Grelot 6/8 1/4 grind
8/8 henckels spanish point Friodurs
Ontario Cutlery Co - Geneva, N.Y 6/8 Barbers delight

Crom

Man, I really have to say I like the Filarmonia #14 barbas duras. I have a Friodur, and a Wade and Butcher, and have shaved with Dovos and others, but this Fili is amazing. I am seriously considering trading my other razors and just having two Fili 14s.

Well, my favorite is the least flashy one I've got. Dovo "best quality" 1/2 hollow with plain plastic scales. Not sure why, but it just shaves better than the others. Smoother with less irritation and never had a nick with it.

It also holds an edge for a very long time compared to the others. I like it so much that I bought the exact same razor to use in rotation, and it's not the same.

Razors are each unique, just because blade sizes are close doesn't necessarily mean the shave will be about the same. I tend to prefer razors I've had to work on. There is the accomplishment factor when you have brought a razor back to life and it produces a great shave. My #1 right now is a Torrey I bought for 15 bucks that had broken scales. It was my first attempt at scales (I still need to learn to pin) so it's not perfect but it does a great job shaving. Each person is different and you will figure out your preferences too.