Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 12
  1. #1
    They call me Mr Bear. Stubear's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Alton, UK
    Posts
    5,715
    Thanked: 1683
    Blog Entries
    3

    Default 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..!

    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!) 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?

  2. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Stubear For This Useful Post:

    Desdinova (04-14-2010), Obie (04-14-2010)

  3. #2
    Retired Developer
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Berlin
    Posts
    3,490
    Thanked: 1903

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Stubear View Post
    So what are your simple but sweet shavers?
    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

  4. The Following User Says Thank You to BeBerlin For This Useful Post:

    Stubear (04-14-2010)

  5. #3
    The Assyrian Obie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Milwaukee, WI
    Posts
    11,145
    Thanked: 2755

    Default Sweet and simple

    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

  6. The Following User Says Thank You to Obie For This Useful Post:

    Stubear (04-14-2010)

  7. #4
    Master Barber jpm7676's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Scranton pa
    Posts
    219
    Thanked: 89

    Default my old faithful

    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.

  8. The Following User Says Thank You to jpm7676 For This Useful Post:

    Stubear (04-14-2010)

  9. #5
    Wee Whisker Whacker BingoBango's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    New York
    Posts
    760
    Thanked: 177

    Default

    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!

  10. The Following User Says Thank You to BingoBango For This Useful Post:

    Stubear (04-14-2010)

  11. #6
    Senior Member blabbermouth JimmyHAD's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    32,564
    Thanked: 11042

    Default

    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.
    Be careful how you treat people on your way up, you may meet them again on your way back down.

  12. The Following User Says Thank You to JimmyHAD For This Useful Post:

    Stubear (04-14-2010)

  13. #7
    They call me Mr Bear. Stubear's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Alton, UK
    Posts
    5,715
    Thanked: 1683
    Blog Entries
    3

    Default

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

  14. #8
    Seudo Intellectual Lazarus's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Denver,CO
    Posts
    429
    Thanked: 166

    Default

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

  15. The Following User Says Thank You to Lazarus For This Useful Post:

    Stubear (04-14-2010)

  16. #9
    Damn hedgehog Sailor's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    SW Finland
    Posts
    3,081
    Thanked: 1806

    Default

    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.
    'That is what i do. I drink and i know things'
    -Tyrion Lannister.

  17. The Following User Says Thank You to Sailor For This Useful Post:

    Stubear (04-14-2010)

  18. #10
    Senior Member Alembic's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Clarkston MI
    Posts
    1,527
    Thanked: 488
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default

    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

  19. The Following User Says Thank You to Alembic For This Useful Post:

    Stubear (04-14-2010)

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •