Thread: Hoping to buy my boyfriend a straight razor for Christmas, any recommendations?

Recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

As a side note, I was looking at the Dovo Astrale 5/8, but it's come to my attention through this site that the made in Solingen, Germany stamp of approval may not be as truthful as one would like.. Any insight on this?

Thanks!

Has he ever used a straight razor before ? This site has a classified section of nice razors and kits or package deals. The razor is just part of what he will need if he doesn't straight shave already. I haven't been at this long myself and I am sure others will chime in . You have to remember a lot of discussions in here are about vintage razors that were made before trademark and patent laws were made , let alone enforced. Most of the big companies making razors today have good reputations as far as I know but I don't know everything. If they didn't I would suspect they might not still be around.

The Dovo brand has received high marks here at SRP, especially for beginning cutthroat shavers. Whilst I'm not intimately familiar with the particular blade you mention, please be certain that you purchase one from a reputable vendor who guarantees it to be "shave ready."
As an alternative, many members here have acquired very satisfactory razors from Larry over at whippeddog.com. I suggest you check out his offerings.
Good luck to you, Miss!

Dovo's and any straight made in Solingen, Germany are of excellent quality in my opinion. I've never had anything but a great shave from a well honed Solingen straight.

Is this the James Bond effect?...

Your on the right track looking at DOVO's - take note of the vendors that advertise here on SRP - visit them all, compare prices and check this site for feedback on them and you'll no doubt come away with a beautiful shave ready razor.

Good luck choosing! - make sure to direct your man here if he has any questions.

I got my first straight razor kit from Larry @ Whipped Dog Straight Razor Shaving Equipment. When I decided to buy my first new razor, I bought a 5/8 Edelweiss . I now have several bokers and each one is a superb shaver. I don't own any Dovos so I can't compare.

What you DON't want to do is buy a new razor off ebay or amazon. It won't be sharpened properly, regardless of what the vendor says. What you DO want to do is buy one that says, "shave ready" off the classifieds in this forum, or from one of the vendors here. That way, he'll have a properly sharpened razor, which is the most important thing to consider.

Many, many thanks for everyone's advice!! I'll definitely check out the classifieds on here and I guess I'll stick with looking at Dovo's. The amount of options is seriously overwhelming to someone who knows absolutely nothing about straight razors! Are there any distinguishing characteristics between a beginner's blade and one designated for those who are more experienced? If yes, any first straight razor recommendations out there? Thus far, all I've been judging them on is whether I find them pretty or not! Probably not the best way to go about things..

This is the razor I mentioned before (Dovo Astrale 5/8), definitely pretty in my opinion!! Any thoughts on suitability for a beginner? THANKS AGAIN!

Also Daniel Craig has absolutely nothing to do with this...

It will make a fine starter razor. Where are you ordering from? Does it come honed or just the factory edge? This is very important Info so we get your boyfriend started the right way into straight shaving.

Colin

Any round point 5/8 to 6/8 will be good for a beginner and beyond. Dovo and Boker are decent brands. Hart is an American brand and is more expensive.

The prices go up as the the blade width goes up and what the scales are made of influence the price. The main thing is the blade been well honed. If you buy from straightrazordesigns, Lynn Abram will hone it, thesuperiorshave, Jarrod, the owner will hone it and if you buy sight unseen from thewhippeddog, Larry will hone it. All are great honers. Thewhippeddog sells vintage blades and will be much cheaper and can be bought in a kit with strop and pastes and such.