Thread: Why is it called a "starter razor"???

The obvious answer is of course that it is a good starter razor, but why not start out with any razor?

Any comments will be greatly appreciated!!

Actually I have never heard of a starter razor. If it shaves well it's a quality razor and that's that.

I believe that it includes the following thoughts and reasons, (among others):

It is reasonably priced, hence you can evaluate the experience without being out too much money.

It is in the middle ground, both when it comes to size and grind.
I.E. You could get a more or less hollow grind, and you can go both ways in terms of blade width

I'm sure there are other considerations in this as well, but to me, those seems to be the essence of it

Starter razors are classified as such because of the simplicity of the razor. The best examples of starter razors are the "Dovo Best Quality" and the "Boker King Cutter". They are starter razors because they have all the following qualities:

1. Round point, instead of spike or spanish. A spike or spanish point tip is more likely to cut a beginner. A round point removes that danger.
2. Little, to no gold plating. Gold platting rubs off quicker for people who don't know how to protect it better.
3. Basic plastic scales. Other scales like wood and such may deteriorate in time if not taken care of.
4. A smaller blade. 4/8, 5/8, and 6/8 are good sizes for beginners. 7/8 and 8/8 razors are harder to control.

That's my opinion of what a starter razor is, a razor that has all those qualities. Razors that have just some of those qualities may not be considered a starter razor.

you get tired of always being asked what a good starter razor is, because there is no such thing. After awhile you give up and just start posting stuff like this

DOVO Straight Razors

So starter razors only exist because people assume they exist.

And then somebody points out that spikes are not good for beginners, and the whole thing just keeps snowballing.

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

you get tired of always being asked what a good starter razor is, because there is no such thing. After awhile you give up and just start posting stuff like this

DOVO Straight Razors

So starter razors only exist because people assume they exist.

And then somebody points out that spikes are not good for beginners, and the whole thing just keeps snowballing.

I think they do exist. I don't think it would be a good idea for a beginner to go out and buy a Dovo Bergischer Lowe right away.

Lucky for you those are all starter razors.

One thing of interest might have been left out. A "starter" razor probably needs to be extra carefully honed and stopped and ready for shaving. I would imagine there are a lot of good razors, but if they are not extra "shave ready" to start, it is discouraging to a new shaver of Straight Razors.

Originally Posted by Gibbs

One thing of interest might have been left out. A "starter" razor probably needs to be extra carefully honed and stopped and ready for shaving. I would imagine there are a lot of good razors, but if they are not extra "shave ready" to start, it is discouraging to a new shaver of Straight Razors.

IMHO , there is no such thing as "extra shave ready" . A razor is either shave ready , or it is not .

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Actually I have never heard of a starter razor. If it shaves well it's a quality razor and that's that.

I agree. The term 'starter razor' probably came about when people starting into straight shaving asked which razor was the best to start with. The answer others above gave are the result if those questions.

I started with square point razors that I learned to hone myself. It was not the easiest path to take, believe me. Not so much the square points, ya learn fast with them if you don't give up. A sharp razor to learn straight shaving with would have saved me a lot of grief. There's a lot to straight shaving and having an extra sharp razor as noted in the post above makes it a lot easier to learn with. It's one less possible problem taken out of all the other things you need to focus on.

A note on honing, it's not as easy as it looks. If I were you I would learn to hone on a less expensive razor pf good quality. When yo get a bunch of them under you belt and shaving as you expect then start on the newer/more expensive razors. Just some words of advice. Good luck.