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I'm looking at getting my first straight razor and I think I've got it narrowed down to the Boker Edelweiss and the Dovo best value. The Boker is around $40 higher but they are both coming from Straight Razor Design. Which do you think would be best for a newbie, and why? Have a razor you think I should look at (budget of under $100) just say so and why. Thanks for your time.
If you're comfortable with the cost, I vote for the Boker. I've restored a bunch of the Edelweiss and find them like the vast majority of Bokers to be excellent razors.
Are you looking at these two because they look really cool, or function?
As a first time user I'd recommend getting a lower cost razor that has been honed by an expert. Larry Andro restores vintage razors and sells them honed and shave ready for $33. Whipped Dog Straight Razor Sales
its just too easy to damage the razor or ruin the edge as a newbie and having a low cost, but shave ready razor will not set you back as much if something happens.
I don't blame you if you get a Dovo or Boker for our first, they're beautiful razors.
I haven't used both to make a comparison, but I don't think you'll be able to tell the difference at this point. May be later when you get proficient at this type of shaving, but at the beginning the dominant factor is the skill.
I don't think these are the same bokers. He is talking the current production, not a restored vintage.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kenrup
Kenrup you have a nice selection of razors and seem like you would be well educated. What do you suggest for a new guy? Salazch to answer you because of function. I have read that these are both good razors and they are sold with Strops via Straight Razor Design. I'm looking for something that isn't too expensive but good enough to get a good shave and that will last me a while. Once again thanks for your input everyone.
I started with a 6/8 best quality.
To be honest, if i could start over i'd start with a 5/8 vintage half-hollow. having tried 3 razors now, the shave from the vintage 5/8 square point half-hollow was considerably easier than the 6/8, just because it was easier to manage angles.
Also, there's something gratifying about shaving with a 50-year old instrument. it's cheaper too! that way you can see which sizes and shapes you like and buy a new one.
or just go with a budge 5/8 best quality. if you get it professionally honed, you know you're getting a solid razor, being a dovo. the only real problem with mine, was that the bevels weren't even at the toe/heel. but it wasn't really shave-ready to begin with, so i guess it was intended to be honed.
Excellent advice. I have a razor that's nearly 100 years old I won on eBay for $40, and it's almost new old stock. I find that for my face and beard, a near wedge or quarter hollow shaves well, especially if it's 5/8. I do have a few 6/8, 7/8, and 8/8, but the larger the blade, the more difficult it is to shave the upper lip and chin. YMMV...Quote:
Originally Posted by dnullify
precisely. and i like the ever so slightly rounded square-points. gets the upper lip quite nicely.Quote:
Originally Posted by GeauxLSU
with the 5/8 you can follow the curve of the chin and down the neck.
also, thing to remember is that they've been making razors more or less the same way for years. So, brand name doesn't matter. it's more blade profile, and condition. naturally, you don't want rust or major pitting. you do want it professionally honed. hollow, half-hollow, wedge.
buying vintage allows you to have more later on for a nicer strop (don't want to start with a nice one), as well as a nice badger brush.
I am still quite new to straight shaving. I started using a Parker shavette back in June and got the monthly straight & strop set from SRD in October. Latigo strop and Boker King Cutter; I absolutely love it. It is the only real straight I have atm, but I have read that Dovo Best Quality is a fantastic starter shaver as well.
I really don't think you can go wrong, it's a win-win. Buy one now and the other later....
The best advice I can give is whatever you buy, buy it from a reputable seller. There are many great starter razors usually listed in the classifieds and we have a lot of reputable sellers listed in the vendors section. I typically suggest a round point, 5/8 or 6/8 blade and hollow ground. The fun thing about straights you can easily re-sell, swap or horse-trade razors and try different brands, styles and grinds of razors and find the kind or kinds (beware of Razor Acquisition Disorder R.A.D.) Make it an adventure. It's a lot of fun that way.Quote:
Originally Posted by Devilpup
Both are good razors and TBH you probably wont notice the difference between them in the shave!
For your first razor I would say go for the DOVO just because its cheaper. Theres no point in dropping a load on an expensive razor and then finding that you dont like straight razor shaving.
Once you've had a few shaves and know you like it then start looking for a second razor, more pricey if you wish.
Good luck and keep us posted!
I'd start with none of those but with a new King Cutter which is slightly higher in Price than the Dovo but cheaper than the Edelweiss (which is by the way the same blade as the King Cutter). On the other hand you will stop being a novice in no time and eventually you can compare between the Dovos and the Bokers to realize that there's a world of difference between them two. My two centsQuote:
Originally Posted by Devilpup
prob back in 2011 the op found the answer :p "wiiiiicked old thread"Quote:
Originally Posted by garciagj
I did the Dovo as my first razor. The round point is a great idea. It is very easy to nick yourself with a square point. Since then, I've bought other new and used razors, trying different grinds and sizes. Even as a newer straight razor shaver, I notice differences.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kenrup
BTW, my favorite so far, is a razor from the classifies, and the second cheapest one I've bought. It really is a good idea to consider a lower cost razor from the forums as your first, as there is often a easily chance to either ding the blade, or stop incorrectly, etc.
I would buy my first from the classifieds, if I did it all again. Once you have started working thing out with technique, you can pick up a new razor to see if you like the different grind/size. It's good to have two anyway, so that you can keep shaving, while sending one out to be honed (or while honing yourself).
Then over time, you can keep trying different blades as Kenrup mentions. For me, I started with Dovo, and just got a Boker, which I'll try soon. You'll likely get both at some point...just be sure to try different grinds and sizes as it really is a different experience.
I reckon the OP is no longer a noob; don't know if he still uses straight..Quote:
Originally Posted by silverloaf
Or he has gone into business for himself.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pringr