Thread: Wife needs help choosing blade

Hello All,

I am looking for a father's day gift for my husband. I want to get him a straight razor but I am not sure which is best. I read some reviews and did some research online and kept getting routed to this forum. My husband loves blades and knows a lot about them and thus I want to get him something that he would be proud to own. I do not really have a budget. I was looking at Boker and Dovo blades as they appear to be the bigger names. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!

There really aren't any bad razors (except the $10 brand new ones that are simply inferior steel), so it is always a question of personal preference. Since you mentioned that your husband knows about blades, I would suggest some snooping to figure out his preferences. Maybe try to talk it out of him without being too obvious, or maybe look at what he already has and go for something similar.

Or you could just let him go on SRD or other online vendor and order exactly what he wants. My wife and I now do this, and everybody's happy. Nothing wrong with Dovo or Boker, by the way.

Thanks guys. When I say that he knows a lot about blades I mean knives. He has never had a straight razor though.

I think if he is a knife guy, I think he would appreaciate the name & certainly the quality of a Boker. Be sure to find one at a vendor who will get it shave ready.
Good luck with your gift.

Originally Posted by BladeCrazyHubby

Thanks guys. When I say that he knows a lot about blades I mean knives. He has never had a straight razor though.

What kind of knives (blades) is he into? Is he into custom (knives) blades more than pre-made ones? Vintage vs new blades? Plain vs exotic blades? American vs foreign blades? I know they're a lot of questions, but these type of preferences can help narrow down on which style/model of straight razor and scales/handles to get him.

As far as knives go he likes all sorts. He largely has new knives, not vintage. Not necessarily opposed to them though. I was looking at the boker edelweiss and the stainless steel olive wood. I like the history of boker from what I read so far. I am now trying to figure out which of the two is better and why. Any thought?

Originally Posted by BladeCrazyHubby

. . . I am now trying to figure out which of the two is better and why. Any thought?

Unfortunately, both companies make good razors! The arguments go on forever. And choice of blade shape, and size, is a personal matter, not subject to logic. Even the most basic Boker and Dovo razors shave well, if they're properly sharpened. So the choice reduces to esthetics and budget.

With the razor, he'll need a leather strop (either "hanging strop" or "paddle strop"), shaving soap, and shaving brush. Everything else is optional.

If your budget stretches to $150-$200, I'd suggest phoning Straight Razor Designs (the sponsor of this site), and talking with them. They put a good edge on the razors they sell, and they don't sell any junk.

With the razor, give hubby a copy of the "Beginner's Guide to Straight Razor Shaving' and "Your First Straight Razor Shave", which are on this site. They will save him a lot of grief.

Good luck --

. Charles

PS -- there are lots of ways to save money, and lots of ways to spend more than necessary. If you want a "luxury razor", or "the least-expensive razor that works", those questions get different answers.

Thanks. I was planning to spend $200-$300 on the straight edge and then I also wanted to get the accessories for a "proper" shave.

Don't forget to budget for the other things he'll need to make use of the straight. Unless he already wet shaves, or if he is to pick those things out himself.