Thread: Shaving lesson from "art of shaving"

So while I am waiting for my first SR to arrive from whipped dog, I was walking around and browsing at the Art of the Shave...they have a very nice Dovo 5/8 half hollow for 100 bucks and a Thiers-Issard full hollow for 135.

Now I am not advocating spending more then I have to, but they offered to "sweeten the deal" by saying that if I bought the razor from them, I get a complementary lesson from a barber on how to properly shave with a SR

I can't believe I'm already thinking that having 2 would be better for when I need to get one honed I'd always have a 2nd ready to go...(being how I haven't even gotten my first yet LOL)

Do you all think this "Lesson" would be worth it, and do you think this is a good price for these razors? (and would you reccomend the Dovo over the TI or visa versa?)

Thanks in advance!

I bought the Dovo razor from AOS and found it to give a very nice, close shave. There are plenty of videos online that show the basics of a straght razor shave. No two people shave the same so you will develop your own style. I would shave with the razor from whipped dog and work on my technique. As you progress you will feel the need for another razor, and another, and another. Don't fight it! Straight razor shaving is a journey with nothing but joy along the way. Enjoy!

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Just be advised there aren't too many barbers who know squat about straights or their use. If the "barber" really does know something you ought to run out and buy a lottery ticket because it's your lucky day.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Just be advised there aren't too many barbers who know squat about straights or their use. If the "barber" really does know something you ought to run out and buy a lottery ticket because it's your lucky day.

Ain't that the truth!

Actually my barber uses a straight himself and advocates using them (he uses them on my sideburns and my neck etc) He doesn't use a regular straight in the shop (due to hygiene laws) he uses a shavette but he won't hire any barber to work there who is not proficient. I was talking to him about wanting to try SR and he said I should go for it, said he'd give me pointers but can't give me lessons due to liability blah blah...

I picked up a shavette today, I figure I can practice holding it at the correct angle with no blade in it so I don't hurt myself figuring out grips etc...

Will be shaving with the whipped dog razor when it arrives and very much looking forward to it, but as I am a firm believer in you can never learn too much I am thinking of taking the AOS offer and buying a razor...

So, do you all think the TI is worth the extra 35 bucks or is the Dovo a great enough blade?

Originally Posted by mcgyver74

Actually my barber uses a straight himself and advocates using them (he uses them on my sideburns and my neck etc) He doesn't use a regular straight in the shop (due to hygiene laws) he uses a shavette but he won't hire any barber to work there who is not proficient. I was talking to him about wanting to try SR and he said I should go for it, said he'd give me pointers but can't give me lessons due to liability blah blah...

I picked up a shavette today, I figure I can practice holding it at the correct angle with no blade in it so I don't hurt myself figuring out grips etc...


Will be shaving with the whipped dog razor when it arrives and very much looking forward to it, but as I am a firm believer in you can never learn too much I am thinking of taking the AOS offer and buying a razor...

So, do you all think the TI is worth the extra 35 bucks or is the Dovo a great enough blade?

That's a personal decision. Both will give you service all your life so it's a matter of which one speaks to you more.

I guess the answer depends on if you need an excuse to buy another razor lol

On the other hand $135 for a TI is a great price, even for a low end model, which surprises me due to AOS's usual prices. If you REALLY need an excuse () I'd say go for the TI and the lesson, but take the lesson for what it is - a guideline, not a written-in-stone rule. With experience you'll develop your own technique anyway.

Yah I know it's just a basic guideline, I'm already using the shavette (which I kinda like ) I was liking the look of the TI so I prob will spring the extra 35 bucks

the thing is, I now need to find a local honemeister who can help me get it truly shave ready (AOS claims that it's shave ready but I don't quite believe that)

Actually, I am finding that AOS's prices aren't really all that bad, some of their stuff is a bit spendy (brushes and bowls can be had cheaper online) but they aren't bad for other stuff considering the quality... For example, I paid something like 95 for my DE Merkur, I've found it online for about 80 and when you factor in shipping etc the difference isn't all that big

Howver, I think the reason it's cheap for a TI is because it's made FOR AOS by TI....

Black Handled Straight Razor - Buy a Thiers-Issard Razor


Still looks like a nice razor

Yes, definitely get it honed. It is a well known fallacy around here that AOS razors are NOT shave ready, no matter what they claim. Where are you located? Unless you're in the Arctic I'm sure there is someone relatively close by (mailing your razor out may be required, which is certainly the norm with honemeisters).