Straight Razors

drumana · Post by **drumana** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 12:27 pm

Is there a straight razor that is the "Merkur HD" of straights, meaning a razor that pretty much everyone agrees is a good candidate to start on?

rustyblade · Post by **rustyblade** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 12:39 pm

That would be a Dovo 5/8" Tortoise, or basically any 5/8" Dovo.

EL Alamein · Post by **EL Alamein** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 1:46 pm

rustyblade wrote:That would be a Dovo 5/8" Tortoise, or basically any 5/8" Dovo.

I'll +1 ol' Ninja Duck's recommendation.

Get it honed first though.

Chris

drumana · Post by **drumana** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 2:30 pm

Thanks, guys. I'll keep my eye out for one of those . . . I might give the straight razor a shot. . . as has been said many times before - resistance is futile.

Richard - I've been enjoying your dynamic duck the past few days. It seems a dark spirit has taken over, flipped him around, grew him some horns, and gave him some black ninja garb. . .

Shave4Fun · Post by **Shave4Fun** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 3:18 pm

What is a fair price for a new Dovo 5/8" with basic handles? What about used?

sebell · Post by **sebell** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 3:39 pm

I would say that if there was an HD equivalent
in the straight razor world it would be a 5/8"
Dovo. However, I don't think that there is any
reason not to choose whatever else you feel
like to learn on.

The characteristics of this razor that make it ideal
for new shavers is basically a medium width (5-6/8"),
full-hollow, and a round-point toe.

- Scott

Shave4Fun · Post by **Shave4Fun** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 3:39 pm

Any opinions on this for a starter?

http://premiumknives.com/ShopSite/Colon ... r_504.html

sebell · Post by **sebell** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 3:45 pm

That looks like a re-branded Dovo Best Quality
carbon steel razor to me. It should do just fine
as a starter razor, though you will have to send
it out to be honed once you receive it. I like the
translucent scales!

You could alternatively order one from Classic
Shaving (classicshaving.com) or Vintage Blades
(vintagebladesllc.com) and add $20 for honing.
Jim at Vintage Blades usually stocks pre-honed
razors as far as I know, so that would be the
quickest way to get a shave ready Dovo razor.

- Scott

kaptain_zero · Post by **kaptain_zero** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 4:04 pm

For the beginning straight shaver, the best advice is to pick up a used shave ready razor. These can be had from the b/s/t forum at SRP on a regular basis. Some of the guys there deliberately pick up razors off ebay for cheap, restore them and offer them for sale to newcomers so they get a great start in the wonderful world of straight shaving. The razor you buy there for the princely sum of $30 to $40 or thereabouts won't be all that pretty, may show some wear but it'll be ready to use and it will serve as an inexpensive razor to later hone your honing skills on without having to worry about ruining it. I did not purchase a shave ready razor but I did get an inexpensive but good quality basic razor at a flea market and it has suffered through my learning period without giving me any grief. When I get a new hone or decide to try something else to see if it works better, I always reach for my "Ugly Duckling" as I know that razor well and it always gives me a decent shave if I get it right. I paid $10 for that razor and strangely enough, it's the one I reach for most often, just because I always know what condition that tarnished old blade is in.

New razors are nice but you need to get them honed before first use so that adds at least $20 to the price + possibly shipping one or two ways. A used starter blade from SRP is a royal bargain in comparison. Remember, you might not even like shaving with a straight... I can guarantee you won't like it if you try with a brand new razor, straight from the factory without a proper honing first. Yes, there have been one or two that actually were sharp enough to shave with but that is rare and should not be counted on. Classicshaving.com, Shavingshop.com, Thewellshavedgentleman.com and Vintage Blades LLC all offer honing of new or vintage blades that they sell, and their service is excellent. Me? I got a hot date with my "Ugly Duckling"!:mrgreen:

Regards

Christian

Post by **drmoss_ca** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 4:07 pm

I'll speak up for one of my all-time favourite razors - the TI Super Gnome 5/8. Easy to hone and a great shaver. It might be a half-hollow, but that's a good thing in my book.
As always, a straight shaver's first razor should be an old one honed by an expert.

Chris

Shave4Fun · Post by **Shave4Fun** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 5:56 pm

kaptain_zero wrote:For the beginning straight shaver, the best advice is to pick up a used shave ready razor. These can be had from the b/s/t forum at SRP on a regular basis. Some of the guys there deliberately pick up razors off ebay for cheap, restore them and offer them for sale to newcomers so they get a great start in the wonderful world of straight shaving. The razor you buy there for the princely sum of $30 to $40 or thereabouts won't be all that pretty, may show some wear but it'll be ready to use and it will serve as an inexpensive razor to later hone your honing skills on without having to worry about ruining it. I did not purchase a shave ready razor but I did get an inexpensive but good quality basic razor at a flea market and it has suffered through my learning period without giving me any grief. When I get a new hone or decide to try something else to see if it works better, I always reach for my "Ugly Duckling" as I know that razor well and it always gives me a decent shave if I get it right. I paid $10 for that razor and strangely enough, it's the one I reach for most often, just because I always know what condition that tarnished old blade is in.

New razors are nice but you need to get them honed before first use so that adds at least $20 to the price + possibly shipping one or two ways. A used starter blade from SRP is a royal bargain in comparison. Remember, you might not even like shaving with a straight... I can guarantee you won't like it if you try with a brand new razor, straight from the factory without a proper honing first. Yes, there have been one or two that actually were sharp enough to shave with but that is rare and should not be counted on. Classicshaving.com, Shavingshop.com, Thewellshavedgentleman.com and Vintage Blades LLC all offer honing of new or vintage blades that they sell, and their service is excellent. Me? I got a hot date with my "Ugly Duckling"!:mrgreen:

Regards

Christian

I'm showing my newbiness here, but what site is "SRP"?

sebell · Post by **sebell** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 6:32 pm

www.straightrazorplace.com

- Scott

Shave4Fun · Post by **Shave4Fun** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 6:49 pm

sebell wrote:www.straightrazorplace.com

- Scott

Many thanks!

drumana · Post by **drumana** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 7:39 am

Thank you for all the input, gents.

Amyn · Post by **Amyn** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 1:30 pm

drmoss_ca wrote:I'll speak up for one of my all-time favourite razors - the TI Super Gnome 5/8. Easy to hone and a great shaver. It might be a half-hollow, but that's a good thing in my book.
As always, a straight shaver's first razor should be an old one honed by an expert.

Chris

+1

The Dovo 5/8 may be the Merkur HD but TI Gnome 5/8 or 6/8 is a much better blade IMO. It shaves way better

SMF

Straight Razors

Straight Razors

Dovo 5/8"

Colonel Conk straight