purchase advice needed for modern straights, Dovo, Aust, Boker etc.

[gosiaopus1]

If you had to choose between 4 modern straights.
Basic carbon steel, round blade, hollow ground blade in either 5/8 or 6/8 with plastic scales.
Which one would you favor and why. What will be the basic differences. let's assume honed to perfection by the same person.

1.) Dovo best
2.) Rolf Aust
3.) Boeker

To me the blades all look rather similar and may be made from the same blanks?

Are there any other modern re-issues which are worth looking at (Puma, Timor..and whatever else)?

You insights are appreciated.

 

[jpcwon]

I'd go with Boker. Never shaved with an Aust, so I can't speak to that. But I do own both a Boker and a Dovo, and I think that the modern Boker blades are an excellent option.

Stay away from the new Timors (Giesen & Forsthoff) - I have one of those too, and the thing was a $%&*# to hone & did not take a very good edge....That's just my experience though....

 

[Mike H]

Boker!

 

[gosiaopus1]

The consensus seems to be carbon steel vs stainless? I do not know what silver steel is..thanks

 

[life2short1971]

Though I have not used a Ralf Aust I plan on buying one 7/8 size in the near future. I would go Ralf Aust, Boker, and Dovo last.

 

[Snuff-Belgium]

Not a fan of Dovo myself, Boker is ok. I've had carbon steel and stainless, just a bit different as far as honing is concerned, silver steel is somewhat softer and takes a edge somewhat faster, had some of those that where great shavers. You might want to look at http://www.revisor-solingen.de/html/6-8_30.html or one of their other razors, great quality for the price IMHO.

 

[chuckr9]

I am not familiar with the Ralf Aust, but on the lower price range the Boker is a better choice than the Dovo. This opinion might reverse when comparing the higher priced Bokers and Dovo's.

 

[smalltank]

there IS a difference when you are honing your own..some take an edge easier than others.....but if youre just sending your razors out to be honed..then just go with what you feel is best

 

[Thomas Martin]

Have you considered a Thiers Issard? Their newly forged C135 steel blades are fantastic. Not easy to hone though.

 

[P Funk]

I've owned all 3 modern straights - Boker, Dovo and Aust.
The Aust is hands down the best of the bunch. There really isn't a comparison IMHO. And for what they are going for nowadays, I think you would be remiss to go with either of large production brands over an Aust. I sold off all the modern Bokers and Dovos except for a 6/8 Boker silver steel (b/c I love the scales) and a relatively modernish 6/8 Dovo w/ white B.L. scales. The silver steel Boker is a PIA to hone by the way. But once it's dialed in, it's a very nice shaver.

The Aust is the way to go.

TI is good as well but there are only a couple of offerings in the same price range. And while the steel is good, I've heard of some fit/finish issues with modern TIs (though the 4 I have all are gravy). But because of the price point, it's not necessarily a direct comparison to the other 3.

 

[dcc]

+1 Dovo!

 

[daflorc]

Carbon steel is easy to hone and takes a great edge. Silver steel is essentially carbon steel with a successful marketing ploy and .0000001% silver mixed into the batch. Stainless steel is best left on butter knives, in my own, biased opinion, and as far as straight razors - Thiers Issard or Boker - but I'd much rather get an old Sheffield

 

[u2u]

In recent months I have purchased new TI, Dovo, and Wacker. Of eleven Dovo all were shave ready and excellent in fit and finish. Not so lucky on TI and Wacker. If you live in a humid area, or want to keep maintenance time low, don't fear stainless. They hone up well, keep an edge for a very long time, and deliver great shaves. Some of the high carbon steels like C135 show staining before you finish your first pass. Just my experience. From your list, if I didn't go Dovo I would give Aust a try based on many forum reports.

 

[gosiaopus1]

The Aust looks to be very nicely finished on the pictures and looks the most promising. maybe more degree of handcraft in the finishing. Looks to have the same exact scales as the Boekers though. Well, thanks for all your inputs, appreciate it.

 

[mikeal]

Have you considered a Revisor? I really like mine. Much better than my dovo.

 

[Gamma]

Buy a shave-ready razor from one of the regulars off the BST and you'll probably come out ahead.