Hey Guys, After a few weeks of reading posts as a guest I decided to join. A little bit about me: I have been using DE Safety razor (Merkur Classic, short HD) ever since I started shaving. About 5 years ago, my father in law gave me 2 off what I think are stainless steel solingen brand-less white handled straight razors (i will post a pic shortly). After testing them both I found one was sharp enough to shave with, which I did. I guess I used it 20 or so times before the results became so poor I discontinued its use. Keep in mind this was 5 years ago, and I never stropped it or honed (I had no clue what I was doing, just excited to use it). Anyway I stopped using it, and 5 years later I got the bug again. I purchased a Dovo Shavette as I did not want to go crazy stropping and honing etc... Well I really like the Shavette and receive great results with using half of the DE blades and longer SE blades. I know the Shavette's are not to popular as some here find them to harsh, but for me they are great. So after using the Shavette for a few months and getting really into the straight razor culture I want to either get my own new straight razor, strop, and stone, or maybe just resharpen the 2 my father in law gave me. So my question(s); What would you do use the razors I have (get them sharpened or learn to sharpen them)? Or buy a new straight razor? (I really do not want to go used as I like new stuff ) If I buy new what style, shape or size should I get being that I like the Shavette performance? What I mean is since I am happy with the results the Shavette gives me, what type of straight razor would compare? I have seen a few Dovo sets with strop on straight razor designs which look nice. They have them in both 5/8 and 6/8 but I don't know which one would be better or even if this set is worth it. The price is right to as I don't want to spend to much <$150. Thanks Guys!
Welcome to The Shave Den. A great community of guys and gals that enjoy wet shaving! I hope you enjoy your stay. Even though you are not a newbie to wet shaving, be sure to sign up for the October Newbie Give-Away for a chance to win some great shave gear. Because after all, free is good! If it were me, I would get the razors honed and learn how to properly strop, as any kind of a family heirloom makes it just that much better. Then you can decide whether to learn to hone yourself or send them out to be honed as needed.
Thanks Dridecker, i just signed up for the give away. Your right in that starting back up with an heirloom is nice. I would like to hone it myself though as I have 2 of them and would not mind using one of them to learn on. I will post a picture of one of them, maybe some of you can tell me about it, and what type of stone would work best with it. Thanks
Welcome to TSD! No matter what you do with the straights, hang on to at least one DE for those days when you don't have time to strop and St8.
I love new things too. Now I don't know the quality of the Straights you have but it they used to work then they probably still work, that is if you dish out the $15-20 to get them honed (Gssixgun hones mine for me but I don't want to show favoritism to anyone, since everyone here are such great people and respectable businessmen/women). This will save you the cost of buying the new razor, and give you more money to spend on a better strop. Like something here http://kanayamastrops.blogspot.com/ , which is run by another amazing person and member here, if you're looking to spend a little less on a strop then there is the trusty Illinois strop line. Which you can find the best price around by googleing. Another great quality and cost effective, but from what I hear in no way "cheap", strop are the strops from ruprazors.com (they have great deals on new and restored razors too!) Honing your own is another good idea but You oughta get one hone by a pro and save it as a benchmark for your self while learning. If you want to buy a new razor and new strop I'd look into wapienica razors. There was someone here who had a batch that was selling them for I think $45 (don't quote me though), but I have failed to find the thread. I have the link saved on my home computer, because I want to get one myself soon. PM me and I can send you the thread link in the morning when I get home from work. Or you can get a Theirs Issard blade but with a strop would put you over the 150 mark. Dovo's sometimes run a bit cheaper like their "Best Quality" razor again you gotta google for best price. Make sure to buy from a reputable place that will mail it to you SHAVE READY AND PRE-HONED other wise you will have to have it honed anyway. I got a good deal on a New and Beautiful Dovo ebony, that I love to shave with, and a strop, that was right around 150 (plus the cost of honing) Worth every penny, but if it does not preform well for you I see them on ebay for close to the new purchase price so you could get most of you money back. As for what size it's really all preference I like 5/8 it's feels more "controllable" but I have a huge Fily Doble Temple #14 that is easier to see the angle of the blade because of the size but is simply so big I feel like I have less control. Welcome to TSD everything I learned I learned from here. Which is still very little. I have less than 6 months experience with straights. But everything I said above came from the wisdom and advice from the members here. Good luck on the newbie give away. C. S. Budzi
Use the razors you got for now. Get them honed by one of the fine members here that offer honing service. Also get a good hanging strop. After you have used what you have, come back and let us know what you have, and what you think about it/how you like it/what you don't like about it. Then folks can give you better reccos on what to look for as far as size/shape/grind/brand of razor. I would put off honing for now unless you have a pocketful of money, a bucketful of patience, a pile of junk razors you don't mind screwing up while learning, and a truckload of humility.
Welcome! Superbleu's advice is sound and cost effective. You'll wind up with the best of possibilities and stay within your budget. Hope you have fun around here!
Thanks guys, You all make sense, I will get one of my razors honed and keep the other for practice. I will spend the money and get decent strop. I will post the picks of the razors as soon as I get a chance so you guys can tell me if they are worth using or putting money into. Thanks
