Thread: 1st razor......

Originally Posted by BeBerlin

I beg to differ. But anyhow, we have an FAQ entry for this specific question, and if something is in the FAQ, it is reasonably safe to assume that it has passed our quality assurance process.

Frequently Asked Questions - Straight Razor Place Wiki
What makes a good starter razor?


Dovo Best Quality 6/8

• Size = 6/8 A wider blade is easier to keep flat on the strop, which is very important for a beginner. 6/8 is also dead center on the size chart, so you can decide which direction to go on your second razor. Finally, it has some heft for those less than confident first strokes, and is still easy to handle.
• Grind = Half hollow Again dead center on the chart, so you can decide which direction to go after your first razor. A half hollow grind offers enough heft for beginner shaving, yet also has some flexibility for comfort.
• Point = Round point. A round point is a little safer, anyway, not a lot but every little bit helps at first.

The question remains whether a member who has no answer to this question should sell razors to other members (and I am speaking of beginners here, not senior members who can pass good judgement of a razor from good photographs).

Thank you for the quality information. That was exactly what I was looking for.
Was there something particular you did not like about that razor, perhaps other than the scales? Is there some type of problem with using the classifieds? Im sensing some negitivity here.
Its funny the term senior member. I have only been a member for 3 months, and became a senior member. The title just appeared under my avatar, I suppose its given after so many posts. Im not exactly sure how that works. I did not ask for it.
I generally really enjoy this forum because the positive nature of the members here along with a hobby we all enjoy and have incommon. So my question to you Mr Berlin, why the negitivity?

While round points are recommended by some for starter razors for obvious reasons the square points drive more focus towards the shave with straight razors and develops good habits from the start. I have a bunch of round points that give a great shave but I am more attracted to the square points. I guess it depends on the person starting straight shaving. If they start slow w/ just the sideburns and cheeks it should go well. The point can always be muted a little to be on the safer side. Most barbers do that to their shavette blades. The important part of a first razor is for the user to be comfortable with it and not scared away. For that reason I would definitely avoid spike points where the tip extends past the spine. It all depends on what your brother would use w/o being afraid of it. While half hollows and the feel from them may work for some I would not exclude full hollows or semi wedges. The most important part of a first razor is that it is a sharp and smooth shaver and that the new user can strop the razor w/o rolling the edge.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by Joed

While round points are recommended by some for starter razors for obvious reasons the square points drive more focus towards the shave with straight razors and develops good habits from the start. I have a bunch of round points that give a great shave but I am more attracted to the square points. I guess it depends on the person starting straight shaving. If they start slow w/ just the sideburns and cheeks it should go well. The point can always be muted a little to be on the safer side. Most barbers do that to their shavette blades. The important part of a first razor is for the user to be comfortable with it and not scared away. For that reason I would definitely avoid spike points where the tip extends past the spine. It all depends on what your brother would use w/o being afraid of it. While half hollows and the feel from them may work for some I would not exclude full hollows or semi wedges. The most important part of a first razor is that it is a sharp and smooth shaver and that the new user can strop the razor w/o rolling the edge.
Good luck!

Thank you. My self I started started with a 5/8 square point and in the begining found the point on the square point razor slighly un comfortable at times but after getting used to it, it was a good shaver and still is. But as you noted it what your comfortable with this is so very true. So personal preference is what it boils down too. As myself I have tried many razors and I find myself prefering a 7/8 wedge with a smile and not being particularly fond of a full hollow. But thats my preference.
Becase when I started I got what I could afford and that was that and I took it from there. So I was just curious to hear what the veterans had to say. And I appreciate all the good Information. I will probably pick out a few smooth shavers Im willing to part with let him try them and pick one and get him a beginers strop educate him the best I can and get him to join SRP. Thank you for your help!!
Sincerley, Tony B.

[QUOTE=Brando;587542I will probably pick out a few smooth shavers Im willing to part with let him try them and pick one and get him a beginers strop educate him the best I can and get him to join SRP. Thank you for your help!!
Sincerley, Tony B.[/QUOTE]

That's a really good plan. You could spend some time on an afternoon shaving with him, letting him try a few, and then after you've shown him the technique let him try them a little longer to see what he likes.


Re: Strop: Width is really personal preference. I find that aside from smiling blades using a straight stroke on a 3" strop works just fine... YMMV.