Thread: Question about choosing a razor

If I had to do it over again, I would still collect many razors as I do now but I would stick to a certain blade style. Now I have roundtips and french points and I have to get used to a blade every time I rotate once a week. I don't mind this but I do like my round tips better.
I would have stuck to good roundtips and maybe shoulderless blades.
I don't know about abrasives as I've never used them. Just my Norton 6/8 and my Dovo Russian strop.
Maintanance isn't hard. With a rotation 15 razors, I haven't had to hone in 3 years.
Ernest

The recommendation for a razor seems to be 6/8 for a beginner, but does the size depend on the size of the face. I have a thinner face and a narrow neck with a hollow on the sides of the adam's apple. Would this make a difference?

Hi Binder,

JohnG10's post is excellent and comprehensive. I just bought my first brand-new razor last month, about 6 years too late. I also have a dangerous Adam's apple, and think the 5/8 with a rounded tip is a good idea for navigating around that. The entry-level Dovos are pretty affordable, and spend extra for the postfactory honing. That way you'll know right away how good the straight shave can (and should) feel.

There seems to be a greater variety of 5/8 blades, too. Whatever you do, don't start with a used wedge. Mine has brought me only pain, burn, and weeks of fruitless honing followed by more pain, burn, and weeks of fruitless honing.

Unless you knock the blade against the sink, you'll just need a strop. I've never used dressing on mine.

When I started using the straights, I kept my disposables around to take care of the dangerous spots (chin dimple and Adam's apple). I shaved the broad, flat bits (cheeks and along my jawline) with the straight, then took care of the touchy bits the old familiar way. It took me about 6 months before I felt safe working over the apple.

Get Lynn's DVD, or hunt around the site for videos of people shaving. It really helps to see it done.

Good luck and have fun!