Thread: Best new razor

Can I get some feedback as to what some of you feel that the best shaving new razor is?

Unfortunately there aren't a whole lot of options if you want to buy new. You've got Dovo, TI, and Henckels (hard to find), and a couple of custom makers. You're also not likely to get any agreement on the "best" shaver, since different people prefer different things.

However, TI is probably your best bet for a great new shaver since all TI's shave very well, though their best shavers are probably in their limited edition line. The Dovo Bergischer Lowe and Prima Klang are highly reputed as well.

One really good option if you're price sensitive is the TI SRP razor. It's got some *really* good steel in a set of plain wooden scales (to keep the price reasonable) and I think they are honed by Lynn, not by the factory.

mparker is right about the relatively few manufacturers of new razors - TI and Dovo are about it.

I have one of each and they're good razors - but my nod would have to go to the TI (remeber, this is based on very limited experience with these brands - most of my razors are refurbished oldies).

The SRP razor is a good value, but I think that the lower end TI's either the Evide Sonant (full hollow) or Le Gnome (1/2) hollow are great buys for between $70 and $90 (depending on which one you get and whether you go with a 5/8 or 6/8).
For the same price, you can get a Dovo Special, Classic Special - and a few others for about the same price (again 5/8 or 6/8).

All of the above razors are good shavers and represent good price/value.

You can also go shavingshop.com and John Crowley has several NOS and new razors ground from old blanks. While most of the razors he sells are a little more expensive, he does have some Revisor razors on sale for around $80 that look quite nice and that are supposed to shave well.

I'm not sure why you want a new razor - I don't own a single razor that I bought new - all of mine are reconditioned older razors or gently used newer ones. I saved a bundle. In fact, my first three razors were purchased from altima on e-bay for around $100 shipped (and they were all beautifully cleaned/reconditioned and shave-ready).

Hope this helps.

If you really want a new Razor I would go with a TI as I believe their blades are better quality than Dovo though Dovo's will give you a great shave also. My take is if you want a better cosmetically finished razor buy a Dovo. If you want the better blade but inferior finishing get the TI.

I think that vintage is really the way to go though. You have many more choices.

For new razors, I'm impressed with the Thiers-Issards. I've honed a few and shaved with two and they impress me in their ability to take a great edge and shave very well. I don't think I'll be able to prevent myself from buying a 7/8 spike point for too much longer.

X

Looks to me like a lot of the TI's (at least those that I can see on one of my usual sites) are made of Carbon Steel, whereas Dovos have some in Stainless Steel as well. Is there a link here or is this just a coincidence?

I went for a Stainless Steel Dovo. Not sure if I should have started on a Carbon Steel instead. I have been advised though that if you drop a carbon steel one, you could put a dent in it permanently.

Originally Posted by rum

Looks to me like a lot of the TI's (at least those that I can see on one of my usual sites) are made of Carbon Steel, whereas Dovos have some in Stainless Steel as well. Is there a link here or is this just a coincidence?

I went for a Stainless Steel Dovo. Not sure if I should have started on a Carbon Steel instead. I have been advised though that if you drop a carbon steel one, you could put a dent in it permanently.

Stainless and carbon both shave just fine - don't get too hung up on this point. Like I said above, SS is a little harder - this means its a little harder to sharpen, but it will take a good edge and stiffer - this means it will deflect less than carbon and I think contributes to the different feel of an SS razor.

The Dovo SS razors are very good.

If you drop ANY razor on its edge, you will damage it. In fact, all it takes is a little ding on the side of the sink to cause serious damage to the edge of ANY razor (as in, a lot of time on the hone to repair the edge.).

Personal preferences aside, any decent Dovo or TI will be a good shaving razor.