Thread: new to straight razors

hey everyone,

Im new to the world of Straight razors and have been told I cant go wrong with either a Boker, Dovo or Thiers-Issard razor... With so much choice I thought it wise to put the subject up for discussion at SRP...

From experience I know Boker make wonderful fixed and folding knives so one can only assume their razors would be of similar quality? Got my eye on the stainless steel razor with olivewood scales...

The Dovo's with intricate etching and 24k gold plating appear beautiful but I was curious to know whether with time and use, this finish diminishes? i.e wearing of plating etc... the 'Bismarck' model is a perfect example ( if possible, please enlighten me on the choice of name for this particular model )

finally the Thiers-Issard razors... surely these are high end models?

Guess Im torn between the three manufactures so any help into selecting one would be greatly appreciated! cheers

I can only speak for the only Thiers Issard razor I own . It's the Straight Razor Place limited edition razor , a 6/8 round point . It takes a wicked sharp edge , and is one of my favorite razors .

First of all, you heard right. You can't go wrong with any of those.

As far as the gold wash, it will usually stay in place for a VERY long time, if not forever. However, it won't stand up to even very mild polishing compounds. So, if the razor needs a little TLC down the road, the gold wash will be gone.

I've never used a TI razor, so I can't comment except that I've never heard any complaints.

welcome abroad all the razor's you named are great razor's what i would focus on is getting a round point and in 5/8 that style will help you with the learning curve of straight razor shaving

also where ever you get your razor from make sure they are professionally honed my first razor a dovo wasnt and it almost cost me the great straight razor shaving experience

so been looking through the classifieds section and came across this razor... seems to be in good shape... all advice is welcome, a quick browse through the classified ads with your trained eyes would be greatly appriciated!

ANTON WINGEN, SOLINGEN - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

There's almost always a good selection of great razors in the classifieds, and I've seen very few instances of razors from the classifieds turning up anything short of advertised. That razor looks like a good one, and fits the bill in terms of the generally recommended beginner razor. (round point, 5/8-6/8)

Ultimately, if you find you like straight shaving, you're going to buy a second razor.

and a third...

and......


For a first one, just find one that you like the look of, from a seller you feel comfortable with. If you get down the road and decide that the particular razor you started with wasn't quite right for you, you can put it back in the classifieds. That's what I did. I bought my first from Gugi, and while it was a beautiful razor and better than described, I later decided that I don't care for Henkels, so I re-sold it.

thanks for the great advice Steve! will keep a keen eye on the classified section this evening

YachtMan--
Welcome to SRP--I bought 2 Dovos to start off with and they were the very basic, least expensive models that are available--They are great razors. They were honed by Lynn Abrams, who started this site, so you can't get a better edge than that. That's the key I think. All of the Razors you mentioned are good ones, just make sure that they are honed by a competant person. I also think that you'd be safe with any of the razors that you might buy off this site in the classifides.

Originally Posted by YachtManDan

hey everyone,

Im new to the world of Straight razors and have been told I cant go wrong with either a Boker, Dovo or Thiers-Issard razor... With so much choice I thought it wise to put the subject up for discussion at SRP...

From experience I know Boker make wonderful fixed and folding knives so one can only assume their razors would be of similar quality? Got my eye on the stainless steel razor with olivewood scales...

The Dovo's with intricate etching and 24k gold plating appear beautiful but I was curious to know whether with time and use, this finish diminishes? i.e wearing of plating etc... the 'Bismarck' model is a perfect example ( if possible, please enlighten me on the choice of name for this particular model )

finally the Thiers-Issard razors... surely these are high end models?

Guess Im torn between the three manufactures so any help into selecting one would be greatly appreciated! cheers

Hi Dan,
First and foremost, welcome to SRP

Secondly, as you and others have already eluded to, you cannot go wrong with any of these brands. I own ~5 Thiers Issards, 2 recent Bokers, and have shaved with a borrowed Bismark. They are all fantastic.

I would suggest, don;t go with a high end model yet. Learn to shave with a reasonably priced straight (whichever that may be...I think Dovo may be it). Make sure it is shave ready by a pro. Once you become savvy with it, you can buy more of the higher end models. One thing is for sure: You will not be satisfied with just one blade...you will end up with more....Guaranteed . And that, is half the fun.