Thread: The most hard-wearing handle?

Hi everyone,

From what I've read in the forum, I'm about to ask the question everyone does, but please bear with me because I've not seen a straight answer.

I'm getting my boyfriend a straight razor for his birthday in a few weeks and can't decide which handle to go with. I've decided that I'm going to buy a Dovo, but now need to know which handle will last the longest - bone, mother-of-pearl, wood or horn? I want something really good quality and lasting - can you recommend which might be best?

Thank you!

Originally Posted by Girlfriend

Hi everyone,

From what I've read in the forum, I'm about to ask the question everyone does, but please bear with me because I've not seen a straight answer.

I'm getting my boyfriend a straight razor for his birthday in a few weeks and can't decide which handle to go with. I've decided that I'm going to buy a Dovo, but now need to know which handle will last the longest - bone, mother-of-pearl, wood or horn? I want something really good quality and lasting - can you recommend which might be best?

Thank you!

Lucky boyfriend! It's really a matter of aesthetics. They will all last a lifetime if cared for properly -- and that's a matter of general upkeep and common sense and not anything tedious.

Where are you looking to buy the razor from?

Welcome to the site!

You're in the right place to get your questions answered, and your boyfriend is a lucky guy....! Nuthin' like a razor for your birthday, they're a great gift!

To answer your question, all will last a long time if you look after them and keep them dry. Once you start getting water/soap on them and not taking care of the razor, thats when you'll run in to problems such as a rusty blades and scales playing up.

When he gets the razor, make sure he only gets the blade wet, not the scales or pivot area where the blade joins the scales (the handle). Once he's done shaving he should make sure that the razor is dried thoroughly and that there is no water or lather on the razor anywhere. Check in between the scales as this is a common area where water can get caught, and once you close the razor the blade makes contact with the water and then you can get rust and water spots.

As long as he looks after it and keeps it dry, it should last for decades! I have bone handled razors from the mid 1800's, and they are still going strong.

Good luck, great choice of gift and keep us posted!

Well I've been really predictable and been in to Harrods and Selfridges and Truefitt and Hill (but they don't actually have any, surprisingly), so I'm going to try Trumpers this week. I'm assured they have some Dovo horn ones, which I'll probably go with - does horn sound like a good bet?

It's really a matter of personal taste and budget rather than longevity. Any of them should last longer than your boyfriend, even if both are properly cared for!

Right, I was obviously too slow in writing my reply - thank you both - horn it is.
Yes, he's a lucky guy!

I say go with bone handle. There is something manly about that. Your boyfriend gets to say he shaves with a razor that has a handle made from the bones of an animal. Very caveman. Horn is my second choice

Although it's not part of your question, since you have a few weeks you may want to purchase from a vendor that sells honed straight razors.

You can't shave with a straight razor until it's been honed.

Wherever you buy it, if it's not honed, it'll need doing or you'll put the chap off for life!

Here are a couple of reputable places online, the owners are members here.

Strop Shop Neil.

Invisible Edge Steve.

They'll be able to sell you what you really need, as they're interested, whereas the outlets you have mentioned rarely have a clue.

Don't forget a strop.


Edit:

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

Although it's not part of your question, since you have a few weeks you may want to purchase from a vendor that sells honed straight razors.

You can't shave with a straight razor until it's been honed.

I type slow!

I'm not sure how much reading you have done, but a straight razor needs to be prepped with a strop. That is an essential accessory. Though it's not essential, a proper brush and shaving soap really improve the shave.