Thread: razor quality vs. shave quality

HONEMEISTERS!!!
Becoming more involved in str8 shaving, as most, I have started to purchase more str8’s. My question is… what are the major differences in terms of str8s that cost $200 vs. those that cost $30? I understand that steel is better, craftsmanship etc. But what about the shave itself? Does the str8 hold the sharpness better? Does it strop better? In other words, what did you notice when you used a really nice razor after having used one that is inferior? And when you used a nice one did it sway you from ever using a less expensive model?

Thanks, Gabriel

I started collecting str8s recently too. The expensive part, from what I've read and experienced, has a lot to do with the scales, among other things. The exotic ones are more costly, obviously, but they'll shave no better than a $50 DOVO with a quality steel blade and plastic scales. The lead-hardening process that TI uses is another cost to factor (I've heard those give great shaves with very infrequent honing). Go to classicshaving.com and read the TI story. A razor made by a TI family member will cost a fortune because of the history involved. A handmade razor like the Maesto's will cost more just like a Rolls-Royce will cost more - hand crafted beauty costs $$$$$.

I just bought an old Sheffield steel razor from a member here simply to practice honing with and it has become my best shaver. As long as the steel is of good quality (Sheffield, Spanish, Swedish; made in Solingen) you'll get great shaves if honed/stropped properly.

I'm sure the more experienced members have more to add to your thread.

-Rob

Gabriel,

I have to agree with Rob on this. I think alot of it is bragging rights. I will say I do not have a TI or one of the Maesto's specials however I do have some Dovo's Puma's Dorkos and Filarmonicas. They are all good razors but let me tell you I have two favorites I will fall back on everytime. A Wade & Butcher Wedge I got on ebay that Lynn sharpened for me and an Aevos which I got on ebay. Both of these razors didn't cost more than $35 and whenever I want a really great shave I pull them out. I am not saying the TI's or Maestro's razors are bad just that for me these work the best so far. The shave is in the face not in the razor (as long as it's properly sharpened). That's my 2cents anyway.

There is quality and there is usable quality. In otherwords, is the shaver's skill level up to the task of wringing every ounce of magic out of a DD Wonderedge?

A Porsche would look good in my driveway but I doubt I could drive it any better than my Honda Civic. The limitation here being the driver not the auto.

LG Roy

Just to clarify… I am especially interested in the shave itself. I am sure in the future I will be more interested in collecting but that ship has yet to sail. The blade quality is what I want to know more about.

Gabriel

Most of the cost is in the embellishments. Any of the brands and countries of origin you mentioned will give good shaves. Sharpness has more to do with the quality of the shave than anything. That being said, some folks just get a more comfortable shave with certain types. Some people want a full hollow-ground blade, some want half, some want a wedge. Personally, my best shaver so far (although I just got 2 in from Lynn I can't wait to try) is a 6/8 Barnsley & Sons Sheffield. It has a full hollow grind, with a thick, heavy spine. Amazingly good shave (and I'm doubly proud of it because I hone all my razors myself). If you find a grind type that works for you, and it's by a reputable source, and you get it sharp properly, you'll get a good, comfortable shave. I can't imagine a $200 highly embellished Dovo shaves any better than the $75 plain-jane version, which has the plastic handles and no gold inlay. It's prettier, sure, and there's greater pride of ownership, but as far as the shave quality, there's probably not a lick of difference.

Mostly I agree that there's not much difference between the $50 Dovo and the $150 Dovo, but they may take a little extra care to be sure the higher quality blades are a little nicer. How much and whether it actually makes a difference in the shave is up for debate ... right here now that I think of it.

X

Quality makes a huge difference but don't mistake a direct line relationship between quality and price in the vintage market. I've shaved with a lot of razors. Hundreds of them. Among those I've shaved with are DD. Wonderedge, which I sold, Pumas, Filarmonicas, Dorkos, Black Diamonds, Dovo, T.I. and a host of others. My favorite razors, though, are a very little known and rare German maker. The first I got in a lot along with other better known razors and I was impressed immediately. After over a year of looking, I finally found another and got it, too.

All the razors I mentioned are excellent, but I also get excellent results from a wide variety of other razors, too. There are a lot of really excellent razors out there. I like quality razors. Some are expensive and some aren't.

There is nothing wrong with many brands of razors out there and virtually all except the Pakastani's get the job done. That being said, I have never had a Dovo that compares to the Pumas I have or the TI limiteds. Actually I have never had one that compares to a W&B meatchopper or most W&Bs. I love Boker razors and their are still some deals left on them. (Wish I hadn't said that. Now I won't be able to afford them any more.) I believe the Maestro's razors are not only works of art but seriously fantastic shavers. The Dovo Bismarck and Berg Lowe are very good shavers. I have many other favorites including some old German and US made razors. Not all have been expensive but many are getting there these days......lol. There is definitely a quality of shave issue in the different brands of razors. After have shaved with thousands of different razors, sometimes I think it's easier for me to blab about this, but part of the fun is in the experimenting. Bottom line is you can certainly get a nice close shave with a Dovo or a $10 razor. I still get great shaves from a Chicago Cutlery Solingen razor I bought 33 years ago. I still have some nice Dovo's including their Prima Klang in my private collection. It's the very awesome of awesome shaves that I look for these days and the razors that provide them If you wanna know where the Wonderedge hype started, go back to the first year of posts on the Yahoo SRP..........lol again. This really boils down to personal preference and personal financial preferences. The great thing is that there is something for everyone in straight razor shaving and all the fun stuff that goes along with it. A Boar Hair Brush is about $6 and a "Best" Rooney is around $400 with many in between. There are $5 Tilly stones and there are $65 Nortons and there are $175 Belgiums and there are $400 Awase stones with something in between all of these. Soaps, aftershaves, colognes, strops and on and on.......oh my. I think if you learn to enjoy the straight razor, it's as much fun for the college guy with no money as it is for the guy, who ain't me by the way, who has millions. It is also a common bond between all of us here. Everybody has an opinion a way to do things and different impliments to get there. That makes us all right. Gotta Love it! Lynn

Lynn

When you pay more for something the return is in many different ways. To a collector the exclusivity of the item and the brand may be enough. If your just a shaver and its all you care about you can get a fine shave with any quality razor. I dare say though we all deride the pakistani razors (and I certainly wouldn't care to use one) you could probably hone one up and it would give one good shave.

From a practical standpoint a better blade equals more shaves between honing and a more comfortable shave. Just because a razor has gold leaf on it and fancy scales doesn't guarantee its a superior shaver.

You could dress up a Yugo and sink thousands to cosmetically improve it but it would still be a Yugo.