Help me decide! Heart, livi, Ti, dovo

[t-haw]

Please help me decide on a new (and first real) straight. I have been shaving for awhile with a feather folding ss. No blood letting and it provides a great shave. So now the time has come to get my first real straight and I can't decide! Please help.
The contestants are:

Heart Steel 6/8
like that is american made and simple. Afraid of getting a square point. Should I be concerned about the square biting me. I don't like the way their round point looks. I am from Michigan so that also is a plus.

Livi re grind 6/8
not sure about quality on these. Anyone have one and love it. I could get the round point here.

Dove master
beaurtiful and functional but not special

TI le grelot
of all the blade shapes this looks the best to me but again not special. Many say that these give a fantastic shave.

I can't feel or hold these blades before buying so I ask you all with your beautiful collections and combined wisdom to weigh in. Which one and why. Thanks!

 

[hokahay]

It's ​Hart. Whipped Dog is a good place to start.

 

[tlittle]

I've realized that it really is more about the user than the blade most of the time. Any of the above should give you great shaves if you put the work into getting them. Given that, get what your budget and personal aesthetic tastes tell you to get.

Here are some thoughts: the Hart steel is a relatively heavy grind (I believe they are all 1/4 grind), so will most likely feel heavier and bulkier compared to your current feather ss. The Dovo is a full hollow ground razor. Not sure about the Livis, but on the SRD site that I glanced over it looks like they are possibly half to full hollow. Le grelots range from 1/4 to 3/4 grind (although I believe that the one that everyone raves about is the 1/4--don't quote me on it though)

Then again, all that grind nonsense doesn't matter as long as you like the shave. It's all a personal preference. This is why many folks like to start with more inexpensive blades that may be well used or by unknown makers. If you're able to try out multiple grinds and sizes and types of steel you'll find out which one you like best, and then you can go out and buy a fancier/more expensive razor because you know it will be something that you like. As hokahay said, whipped dog is a good place to start for inexpensive blades, but I don't think you get as much of a range of blade styles as looking at the BST. It seems like for the most part Larry is promoting sight unseen these days, which is great for someone just starting out, but for someone who wants to try out specific blade types it doesn't work as well.

So, with all that said and done I haven't really answered your question. I'd imagine all of the above would be great choices. Personally, if I were to choose one of the above I would go with the Le Grelot. The reason is that this is the only one that's not being produced anymore (doesn't hurt that it does have such a good reputation). Any of the others will be around for a while, but if I were to come across a Le Grelot in great condition then that is something special indeed.

Hope this helped more than it muddied the waters...

 

[Mike H]

If this will be your first razor, I would contact Larry at whipped dog.


Otherwise, what is your budget? The brands you listed go from $80 - $500.

If your looking for a new Dovo, look here .

 

[Kentos]

Brian Brown makes some nice customs too.

 

[Wid]

Brian Brown makes some nice customs too.

Yes Sir he does.

 

[t-haw]

All three razors are about $300. The Grelot is a new forging: http://www.classicshaving.com/catalog/item/846013/9298259.htm...Thanks for the responses!

 

[Wid]

You can never go wrong with a Grelot, I love mine.

 

[Optometrist]

Another vote for the TI

 

[life2short1971]

Those Grelot say backordered but they won't be coming back into stock most likely.

 

[Wid]

Those Grelot say backordered but they won't be coming back into stock most likely.

I also noticed that they are the newer 135 steel. I can't say I cared for the TI I had with this steel.

 

[GreekGuy]

I have a few TIs. They are nice. But the Hart is a very different razor and I prefer it. Its tempting to say "the hart is a better razor," but for ME its a better razor. Only you can decide whats best for you

My advice, start with Larry. Using a real straight is very different than using a shavette.

 

[Antique Hoosier]

Buy something shave ready off the BST for under $100 and see if you really like the idea first... I purchased a vintage Boker the other day off the BST for $75 and it will most likely shave just as good as the razors you mentioned in your search. There is plenty of time to explore the higher end range of blades after you actually experience shaving with a straight in the first place.

 

[T-Box215]

I have a 6/8 square point jimpless Hart Steel satin finish with rosewood scales, and the square point to me doesn't make the shave that hard, you are just forced to be more aware of it's position and if you are applying pressure. Square point to me is like learning DE with a Feather, you have to slow down and pay attention. I've only had a half dozen shaves so far, and the square has bitten me once. I'm a firm believer that the more money you spend on a hobby, the more likely you are to stick with it. I will likely own more straights down the road, buy SWMBO has to cool off a bit after this last purchase.

 

[drathgeb]

I have a few Dovos with nothing bad to say about them. I would think Whipped dog or the BST best for a first razor so you get something shave ready. Even a well honed razor will likely perform a bit different than your Feather SS

 

[professorchaos]

While I can't recommend the Livi due to the fit and finish problems which seem to plague them, few razors shave as well as his regrinds.

 

[hokahay]

I think I'm going to like my Hart when it comes back from Undream! He just sent this pic!

 

[trick420]

It's a no-brainer... Get a Brian Brown...

 

[t-haw]

Hokahay that heart looks beautiful! Trick, aren't Brian browns $600 ish.

 

[Wid]

Hokahay that heart looks beautiful! Trick, aren't Brian browns $600 ish.

Not quite. He has one ready to go right now...............

http://www.brianbrownrazors.com/for-sale.html


That Hart done like that would be at least as much as a BB custom.