Good morning....so I am debating taking the plunge into the world of straight edge razor shaving. I got into safety razors about 6 months ago and couldnt be happier. Now I would like to try my first straight edge. So many questions though.... Firstly...I bought a dovo that has the disposable blades just to see if I would even like it. Clearly I need some more experience as I have only used it twice and of course was nicked several times. I have a feeling it was the a combination of being new and also the fact that the safety razor blade thats placed into the dovo has extremely sharp corners...it seemed that I only nicked myself on the ends of the blade. So here are some of my questions. Would a rounded blade be a smarter option for me? What exatly does 5/8,6/8 and 7/8 mean when it comes to the blade? I have a thicker whisker...and from what I was reading on here should I stay away from the full hollow blades? I was debating looking at getting a Singing blade but someone metnioned that they are great blades but for a thicker beard they may not be the best option?! Also...any recommendations of where to shop for some razors? Ive only really found any on Amazon and they seem to really only have Dovos for options. While Ive read that they are fine blades... I would like to see what other options are out there. Any advice/help is greatly appreciated!
Newbie.
- Thread starter Damascus
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I'm a newb too but I know that one. 5/8, 6/8, etc., refers to the width of the blade. 5/8ths is generally considered a good with for beginners, wider blades for more experienced shavers.
You might want to have a look at the excellent link at the top of the shave clinic sub-forum which will lead you to wiki pages that will answer all your questions (and more).
I'd suggest you start with a 5/8 round tip razor. Squared tips can be tricky at first. Then it's important you take your time and do not expect good results at your first shaves. Straight shaving has a learning curve. Beginn with your cheeks , with the growth and finish your first shaves with the safety razor and only move to other parts of your face when you manage your cheeks properly. Do not , I repeat, do not attempt to shave your chin at your first shaves. I did and it was a complete mess, believe me.
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no need to debate, jump on in...
that's the way it usually goes. check out the wiki here at http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/Interactive_Guide_to_Straight_Razor_Shaving
ouch.. doesn't sound like it was enjoyable.
as i understand, the shavette has a much different feel, due to weight, construction, and blade. since the DE edge is typically much shorter it may be easier to get hung up on the corners..
some like the rounded edge, i would say as long as a square point was muted (dulled at the corner) you would be alright.
these are width increments in a blade.. every 1/8s is an 8th of an inch.
don't even fret about that as this moment... not likely an issue...
it'll be fine. it's that what you would like, as long as it's a keen edge, you likely won't have any problems cutting a well prepared beard .. by well prepared, i mean well lathered beard.
http://vorpalrazors.weebly.com, whippeddog.com , thesuperiorshave.com, classicshaving.com, shaveshop.com, straightrazordesigns.com, http://edsonrazors.com/page4/index.html, arazorstale.com, there are plenty of sites or even try the BST here. you can buy something via PM anytime... lots of guys here are great people... i wouldn't buy from amazon as your unlikely to get a shave ready edge.
a very common suggestino is the whipped dog sight unseen kit at http://www.whippeddog.com/products/view/sight-unseen-deal. Some really like it. I didn't start that way, but it is a great way according to others. Larry is a great guy and knows his stuff.
hope that helped...
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Just Do It!
And welcome to B&B!
And welcome to B&B!
If I can do it .... you can do it.
and I've cut myself changing a lightbulb and also while installing extra RAM into a PC (go figure!).
I'd recommend a shave-ready straight + strop from with the BST or something from WhippedDog to start. You can always go buy the more expensive razors later on.
and I've cut myself changing a lightbulb and also while installing extra RAM into a PC (go figure!).
I'd recommend a shave-ready straight + strop from with the BST or something from WhippedDog to start. You can always go buy the more expensive razors later on.
I will let others give you razor advice (I don't get mine until tomorrow), but I can highly recommend the sight unseen deal from whippeddog.com. Shoot Larry an email or call- he is a super guy to deal with.
I started with a 5/8 full-hollow grind square point. A Westers Gozeezy or something like that.
I bled a little bit here/there but I learned quickly as a result.
Not saying it's a good idea to go that route. It really depends on the user. Round tips are, overall, easier to handle though.
Personally - Im not sold on 5/8 being ideal for a beginner, or any width for that matter.
I would say that an 8/8 W&B might present an issue for someone learning on many levels, but 5/8 or 6/8 seem about the same to me for the most part.
At 7/8, the blade starts to 'seem' large; less of the face will be visible, overall weight of the razor can be greater, balance in the hand becomes noticeable different.
For me - 'feel' is everything and there's no way to know what something is going to 'feel' like in my hand without holding it.
Words will fail me there every time - first-hand (pun) experience is all that matters - aka 'trial and errror'.
Grind - there are no rules. A 1/2 hollow is a safe bet from one perspective. My theory is that it's best to start in the middle instead of at either extreme. Singers and Wedges being the extreme. If I had to pick an extreme to begin with - I'd choose a Wedge over a singer. Singers are flexy and that adds a variable to the process that may (but might not) get in the way.
As for heavy beards - my whiskers need to be shaved every day, and there are several patches where they feel like titanium wires. Whatever the correct term is for my beard-type - it's basically a pita to deal with.
I shave with all of the grinds out there - and I have no issues with any of them. As far as I'm concerned - It's more about how the blade is honed and the users technique.
For me - Especially in the beginning, having a nice looking razor made me feel better - beat up old clunkers can work just as well, but starting each day with a ratty, pitted, oxidized flea-bitten razor just didn't have the same appeal as, say - shaving with a NOS TI or Dorko or whatever.
Everyone is different - but those are some of my thoughts on the matter.
Like Kent wrote above, and it really is good advice - just do it.
I bled a little bit here/there but I learned quickly as a result.
Not saying it's a good idea to go that route. It really depends on the user. Round tips are, overall, easier to handle though.
Personally - Im not sold on 5/8 being ideal for a beginner, or any width for that matter.
I would say that an 8/8 W&B might present an issue for someone learning on many levels, but 5/8 or 6/8 seem about the same to me for the most part.
At 7/8, the blade starts to 'seem' large; less of the face will be visible, overall weight of the razor can be greater, balance in the hand becomes noticeable different.
For me - 'feel' is everything and there's no way to know what something is going to 'feel' like in my hand without holding it.
Words will fail me there every time - first-hand (pun) experience is all that matters - aka 'trial and errror'.
Grind - there are no rules. A 1/2 hollow is a safe bet from one perspective. My theory is that it's best to start in the middle instead of at either extreme. Singers and Wedges being the extreme. If I had to pick an extreme to begin with - I'd choose a Wedge over a singer. Singers are flexy and that adds a variable to the process that may (but might not) get in the way.
As for heavy beards - my whiskers need to be shaved every day, and there are several patches where they feel like titanium wires. Whatever the correct term is for my beard-type - it's basically a pita to deal with.
I shave with all of the grinds out there - and I have no issues with any of them. As far as I'm concerned - It's more about how the blade is honed and the users technique.
For me - Especially in the beginning, having a nice looking razor made me feel better - beat up old clunkers can work just as well, but starting each day with a ratty, pitted, oxidized flea-bitten razor just didn't have the same appeal as, say - shaving with a NOS TI or Dorko or whatever.
Everyone is different - but those are some of my thoughts on the matter.
Like Kent wrote above, and it really is good advice - just do it.
too true!
Welcome. Do not bother with "a dovo that has the disposable blades" just get an entry level 5/8 full hallow Dovo with round point
Welcome aboard, I too am just two weeks into straight shaving and love it...I started by reading here with so much wealth of honest and experience knowledge from this forum. As my first choice I bought a Dovo Bismarck 6/8 and I am ver happy I did. It's a wonderful well made quality razor. Good luck and enjoy the excitement in choosing your first.
You can cut the corners off your disposable blades to make them a little more user friendly. I would say keep playing with what you have. When you're ready, the crew at http://www.whippeddog.com/ is great to deal with. Good Luck!
Just be careful man. I started using a shavette a few days ago (until I can afford a straight) and I only got one tiny nick. Take it slow--love your face. 
You should post pics, just cause I'm a pic junky haha.. good luck
You should post pics, just cause I'm a pic junky haha.. good luck
i started 5-6 yrs ago and have not looked back. it is still my hobby and my favorite way to shave, i use a de some now due to health reasons. i say go for it, i'm thinking u will not regret it. there is a learning curve. straights have been used for alot longer than safety razors & carts.
Just buy the razor that you like, there is no general advise as far as finding the razor that will work for you goes. More hollowish grind just means you have to pay more attention to the shaving angle to get a good shave. I have a very tough beard and struggled with hollows until I got a wedge, which is more forgiving (angle-wise) but gives less feedback. BUT as my experience grew I started to like hollows more. Just buy what you like, if you like spike points just have the person who hones it mute it for you. And one more thing 6/8 and higher sell better if you decide to pass them along.
I'dd personally start with smth like this http://thesuperiorshave.com/Dovo_Straights_Pages/dovo_101687.html (you can sell it to me if you don't like it)
I'dd personally start with smth like this http://thesuperiorshave.com/Dovo_Straights_Pages/dovo_101687.html (you can sell it to me if you don't like it
)
As a relative newbie to straights I suggest you, get an inexpensive starter kit like a whipped dog, read the wiki on straight shaving, and don't overthink it!
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