Sweet and simple

I've been having a bit of a bout of RAD recently so I've mainly been using the newer razors when I shave. Playing with the new toys..! :D

But today I went right back to my first razor, a DOVO Black Star, for my shave.

Its nothing out of the ordinary; Wooden scales, 5/8 blade, round point and its not a limited item either as DOVO still produce it. But it gave me a truly great shave, with no fuss and no bother. It stropped up easily, felt good in my hand, the scales were tight and the edge still razor sharp despite languishing in my cupboard for the last few months. Right now, I'm sitting here with a truly BBS face!

This really got me thinking, its very easy to go out there and convince yourself that you need a £200 TI, or a $500 Filarmonica to get a great shave. But you really dont! My Black Star only cost £80, but it easily holds its own against my other razors. The shave was great, it really was.

Now, if you want the TI, then thats a different story (and thats my problem!) :D But you dont need it to get a good shave.

I know all of this has been said before, but its worth keeping it in your mind when you're about to spring for that shiny new razor, especially if you're new to the hobby. It may look better, but it wont shave you any better.

So what are your simple but sweet shavers?

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Originally Posted by Stubear

So what are your simple but sweet shavers?

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An almost infinite number. Some I have (had) are:

1. http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...ll-hollow.html
2. http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...und-5-8-a.html
3. http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...nica-epbd.html

All under USD 100, all excellent. I refuse to pay more than USD 100 for razors unless they are really rare. Which clearly excludes Filarmonicas, Dubl Ducks, Wade & Butchers, and TIs. I find them typically overpriced (or massively under performing in relation to their price).

Regards,
Robin

Hello, Stuart:

My sweet and simple shaver still must remain the Dovo 5/8" "perlex" I bought sometime ago. This is my second "perlex." I had to sell the first one a long time ago, because I had physical problems with my hands and was sure my straight shaver days were over. I am glad they are not.

Regards,
Obie

My old faithful is a vintage 8/8 Wade & Butcher I bought on ebay for $60. I refinished it myself. I scaled it in ebony and it was my first razor I honed from butter knife to shave ready. My old faithful friends. Mr Wade and Mr Butcher never let me down.

I think my Shumate Scout is pretty simple... and so is my Bengall... Both are really, really sweet shavers!

I just got two Case razors - a Temperite and a Red Imp. Nothing fancy about either of these but they cut down whiskers like mad!

It is early here and I'm not done having my coffee so I can't think too clearly but what immediately comes to mind is this ebay score here . Item number:300391573950 if the link doesn't function. Six NOS Genco Fluid Steel averaging $27.00 each USD shipped for the set of six. Not only are they great shavers and cheap but with these I have the opportunity to hone each one, of what are essentially identical razors, with a different set of hones.

So far I've done two of the six and written down what I used. My plan is to eventually do all six and post about the results in terms of speed of getting the job done and results comparing the various hones. Anyhow, these are as good a shave as razors that cost me far more so quality is out there and it doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg.

I'm looking forward to hearing about the different results Jimmy! :)

Mine would be the W&B I paid $13 for. I could happily use that razor everyday.

I have about 10 razors and most of them are simple.
Maybe the best shavers i have are my Swedes: J.A Hellberg frameback and Jernbolaget. Nuthing fancy or special. Just excellent shavers.

Stubear,

I have a Droescher that belonged to my Great-Grandfather that just kicks butt.

I also have a Wade & Butcher that I restored under the watchfull eye of Lynn and was the first razor I honed start to finish. Cost - $25.00. That razor is truly amazing. I always get a BBS shave with no issues.

Then I have my first razor, a Dovo Special with tortoise scales that will always remind me of the start of this insanity.

Beyond that, I am still exploring. I just used a Crown Magnetic this morning for the first time since honing to shave ready. Incredible piece of steel! Great BBS.

I think that's part of the fun. Tyring different blades and sorting the results. As I've said, if one is not enough, ten is not too many:)

David

All three of mine are sweet and simple: an old Wade & Butcher, a Wapi, a nice little Swede (blanking on the name at the moment) bought from a member here for $25. I run a low-budget operation here :) and so far, so good.

~Rich

Bought a Shumate Barber off ebay. Honed it, stropped it, shaved with it. So nice to use. It's my favorite (so far....i'm still pretty new to this game), hands down.

Maxi.