dilemma

[MakisSRV]

hello!

i'm 22 years old and new to wet-shaving and i would like to buy my first straight razor.i would like to know your thoughts,i'm between those two.1) http://www.boker.de/rasiermesser/140521-3-20.html and 2) http://www.winkelplein.nu/barbersho...Id=1656836&sid=fgt2yeNVpF0QQuYjNfFTuwFPL1w8Bj

thanks in advance!

 

[Luc]

Welcome to B&B!

Both are excellent brands. If I have to pick one, I would go for the 5/8. I am not the biggest fan of 4/8. They're good but I like larger blades.

Out of this, I'm unsure if the razor will be sent to you shave-ready. I would recommend looking on the BST (buy/sell/trade) section of this forum to find a shave-ready straight.

Also, do not forget to pick-up a strop!

 

[MakisSRV]

thanks for the reply.i will not forget the strop,haha!
well,because i live in Greece,it's difficult to buy from america so i prefer the purchase to be from europe.thanks again!

 

[LarryAndro]

Without doubt, I recommend the 5/8 Boker... (1) The 5/8 is a more all around size, and (2) the round tip. Unless you have some sideburns or the like requiring some very "edgy" shaving, the round tip is easier for newbies to use.

 

[Chimensch]

If you want to have a really pleasant and successful first straight razor shaving experience, I highly recommend that you get a Le Grelot from Martin at rasurpur. It's a great razor and it will come perfectly shave-ready because Martin is a real professional.

There are also some great vintage razors at The Invisible Edge and they will also come shave-ready. Steve Dempster is another one of my favorite vendors.

 

[shm]

As a newbie myself, I'll agree on getting a 5/8" or 6/8".
I've got a 4/8", but it is difficult to get and keep the right angle because of the small blade.

I also got a 6/8" Le Grelot from rasurpur.de and can only agree once again, and say that not only is it a really great razor but Martin puts a very fine edge on a razor and all his razors comes shave-ready - I can only recommend his shop.
I don't know how a Boker performs, but the Le Grelot is quite easy to strop as well. The Dovo 5/8" I've got takes a lot more laps to get the edge.

 

[JPM]

Welcome to B&B!

Both are excellent brands. If I have to pick one, I would go for the 5/8. I am not the biggest fan of 4/8. They're good but I like larger blades.

Out of this, I'm unsure if the razor will be sent to you shave-ready. I would recommend looking on the BST (buy/sell/trade) section of this forum to find a shave-ready straight.

Also, do not forget to pick-up a strop!

+1. I find the 4/8 a bit more difficult to plow through the whiskers with and you have to rinse it more often as the lather builds up on it.

 

[holli4pirating]

Of those two... I was going to say I'd suggest the boker based on the size, but I've never shaved with a new Boker. Really, though, I would suggest you not spend so much on your first razor, as the first investment is a risk. It's the razor you'll most likely damage, and who knows if you'll like straight shaving. Pick up something inexpensive and vintage, IMO.

 

[Will P.C.]

I would spend a little less and get a vintage as well.

 

[huntmol]

Of those two... I was going to say I'd suggest the boker based on the size, but I've never shaved with a new Boker. Really, though, I would suggest you not spend so much on your first razor, as the first investment is a risk. It's the razor you'll most likely damage, and who knows if you'll like straight shaving. Pick up something inexpensive and vintage, IMO.

I would spend a little less and get a vintage as well.

+1 to both of these fine gentlemen

I spend $130 on my first straight razor, and when it was time to hone it up I made a proper mess of things, and had to send it to a honemeister to have it fixed. If I was starting out today, I'd keep my eye on the B/S/T and the SRP Classifieds for a $40-$60 shave ready 5/8 full or half hollow straight razor, and get myself a Ruprazor strop and a Chinese 12k. With these fine tools you can maintain the edge on your razor for decades.....if acquisition disorders don't kick in and make you buy every razor and hone under the sun!

 

[Luc]

Without doubt, I recommend the 5/8 Boker... (1) The 5/8 is a more all around size, and (2) the round tip. Unless you have some sideburns or the like requiring some very "edgy" shaving, the round tip is easier for newbies to use.

Sideburns aren't so bad to deal with... You get used to it as 95% of my straights are round point and I still have my sideburns from my avatar!

 

[holli4pirating]

I still can't get as close to my traguses (tragi?) as I like with a round point. I'm just not a fan of them.

 

[conteins]

Welcome to B&B!

Both are excellent brands. If I have to pick one, I would go for the 5/8. I am not the biggest fan of 4/8. They're good but I like larger blades.

Out of this, I'm unsure if the razor will be sent to you shave-ready. I would recommend looking on the BST (buy/sell/trade) section of this forum to find a shave-ready straight.

Also, do not forget to pick-up a strop!

i have to second this opinion; the BST is probably the best place to dive in.