which to buy?

MetalBren

So, after shaving for years with a crappy disposable razor, i have decided to take the plunge and get a proper straight razor. But i'm not sure which one. on shaving.ie, theres a selection of a few.
But which one would be the best for a beginner?
http://www.shaving.ie/categories/Straight-Razors/Straights/
bare in mind my budget is about 55 for the razor, will be getting strops etc separately

hitemfrank

It depends on whether you want a real straight razor or one that takes disposable.

If it's a proper straight, assuming it is as you mentioned a strop (strop not needed for disposable blades), there are three at about your price range.

This Muhle, this Dovo or this Dovo.

Technically all three are Dovo's (the Muhle is made by Dovo) so it's a case of which you prefer the look of really. Being a Dovo they may not leave the factory with a truely shave ready edge so you may need to get it honed.

MadsL

Plan on getting it professionally honed to avoid frustration, it won't be sharp enough box fresh..well worth budgeting to learn to hone yourself too...
If you are stuck for funds I'll hone it for you when you get it but I'm now in the US so you'll still have to cover postage...

Update for those waiting on restores, repins etc. I hope to be in my new place (complete with workshop/bench) by end of January...thanks for your patience.

MadsL

Larry at Whipped Dog seems to be honing again...some good package deals for a honed straight with Poor Man's Strop

http://whippeddog.com/straightrazors/view/sight-unseen-deal

MetalBren

I ordered the Dovo, should be here tomorro! thanks guys for the advice.
There's someone in my area who will be able to hone it for me, so thats good.
I've ordered a strop as well, but not sure if i need to get strop paste as well?
The vidoes I've seen don't seem to use it

hitemfrank

The person in your area who said they will hone it, have they honed straight razors before?

MetalBren

yes, they have... It's actually a shoe repair shop, but last i knew they honed razors.
well, technically it's a repair shop but they do a load of other stuff as well, shoes are only part of the service

hitemfrank

Grand. Was just making sure they weren't going to 'have a go' and run it through one of those automatic knife sharpeners.

MetalBren

hitemfrank wrote: »

Grand. Was just making sure they weren't going to 'have a go' and run it through one of those automatic knife sharpeners.

i'll confirm that before i give them the razor

MadsL

Do not give them this razor unless you know for certain that they know what they are doing. Ask them the process they will use and post here before giving it to them. If they mention a grinding wheel - run like hell.


You don't need strop paste yet. Make sure you rub the strop everyday with the palm of your hand for a month or so...hang it next to the loo and stroke it as you sit

run_Forrest_run

MadsL wrote: »

...hang it next to the loo and stroke it as you sit

ooh behave

MadsL

...Matron, really!!! :eek:

MetalBren

MadsL wrote: »

...Matron, really!!! :eek:

haha lovely.
Turns out they don't hone razors
the dovo came today and it's blunt
anywhere in dublin city centre i can get it done?

MadsL

MetalBren wrote: »

haha lovely.
Turns out they don't hone razors
the dovo came today and it's blunt
anywhere in dublin city centre i can get it done?

That's probably a blessing they don't hone....

My recommendation would be to do the following; send it to be honed...

Best in the business is Lynn Abrahms of Straight Razor Place/Straight Razor Place, yours will be the 10000+yours razor he has honed. It will come back with an edge like no other $20 plus postage to US. http://www.straightrazordesigns.com/razor-sharpening

Alternatively - Invisible Edge in UK http://www.razorsharpening.co.uk/

then once you have your sharpy shiny razor, get a set of stones and get practicing for your inevitable next razor...you need a honemeister in Ireland!! - get practicing.

MetalBren

so an update :L
I was in dublin today, dropped the razor off at Waldorf's, they're happy to hone it! should be all ready to go next week!

MadsL

Doh! forgot about Waldorfs!!!

Make an appointment with Liam to have the first shave with it...he's great to have a natter with and loves his razors...

MetalBren

i have a few qeustions for him anyway, so hopefully he'll be able to clear them up for me...
now i just waiting for the razor to be ready!

MadsL

Ask away here, don't be shy, we all started somewhere....

MetalBren

i'm not entirely sure on stropping technique, how much pressure should be applied to the razor?
is it possible to over strop? some vidoes of stropping, like the one showing waldorfs, show a razor being stropped and the strop is held loose, while others show a taut strop. which is correct?
and the best way to produce lather from shaving cream. i have a bowl of omega shave cream and a shaving brush. do i scoop out the cream with my hand, or cover the brush in cream by rubbing it in the bowl, and then using the shaving bowl to produce lather?
thanks

hitemfrank

Stropping pressure is reallly only the weight of the razor on the strop.

Loose or taut strop doesn't matter too much as long as the spine of the razor stays on the strop. This may be easier to achieve with the strop held taut.

Just remember, strop slowly until you get good at it or you could end up doing some serious damage to your strop. When you do feel confident in your stropping and speed up, pay attention to what you are doing or you could end up doing some damage to your strop (ask me how I know )

MetalBren

i suppose experience is the best teacher :L

hitemfrank

Well Liam has much more experience than me so definitely have a chat with him about it. It'd be interesting to hear his thoughts on it.


Just noticed your question about lathering the cream. You can do either of what you asked. You can scoop a small amount out and put it in your bowl and then start making the lather or you can swirl the brush on the cream.

If you swirl the brush on the cream you don't even have to use a bowl. Just start lathering it on your face and add small aounts of water to the brush (by either dripping water from your fingers or by putting the very tips of the hair into some water).

Some people prefer one method to another so chances are at some stage you'll try both ways and decied which you like best.

MetalBren

i'll try both methods. i'm just waiting for the call that my razor is ready now!

MadsL

My advice may seem odd - Don't strop that razor at first. You'll just undo the edge that has been put on it;

I suspect that you will be building up to full face shaving, cheeks first, then a bit of your neck etc. In which case lightly strop your razor (3-4 strokes on your jean-clad thigh should do it - just to clean and dry the edge) to make sure your razor's edge is dry and then put it away (never wipe the razor with a tissue blade towards your hand - great way to cut yourself) Also make sure the tang 'hinge' around the pin is dry - you should always shave with dry hands anyway, and try to keep the rest of the razor dry as you shave.

Another useful trick is to put the razor on top of the largest bag of silica you can find for an couple of hours (those pouches that always seem to be in electrical stuff) - try not to keep the razor in the bathroom or near a window.

When you notice the edge not quite as sharp as you once had it, lay the strop on a flat surface (kitchen counter is good) and very carefully strop the razor, edge trailing and keep the razors spine on the strop whilst you turn it.

Do that for 3 months to build muscle memory. Go to boots or wherever and buy one of these...



Use that on your strop to get a feel for 'flipping' the razor on it's spine, or find a blunt vintage razor in a junk shop.

When you are confident 'flipping' the comb go for stropping using a hanging strop.

Also when shaving don't try full face at first - and don't use pressure (you will just end up with a very red and sore face)

MetalBren

thanks for the advice! it makes sense.

MadsL

Don't be discouraged stropping, it suddenly 'clicks'; practicing with a non cutting object however will stop the rage face when you nick your strop Day1...






....you'll nick it Day2 instead hopefully not badly! Superglue and/or sandpaper will solve that one ...

tammiej

Hi guys,

been thinking of buying my dad a shaving gift set or kit for his birthday. id like to get him an expensive set, maybe the ones with brushes, im just wondering if yee know any good brands or gift sets that i could get him and where i could get them.

Thanks!

MadsL

Hi Tammie, I recommend www.shaving.ie, Chris provides great customer service.

Brushes are graded in quality from

Synthetic (although there are some very high quality 'veggie' brushes)
pure Bristle (boar)
Pure Badger
Best Badger
Super Badger (sometimes)
Silvertip Badger

Chris has brushes from 10 euro to almost 300 :eek:so sure to have something for the price range. He also does gift certificates so your dad could chose.

What does he shave with now?

MetalBren

and i got the call to say my razor is ready! picking it up tomorrow morning! yay

MadsL

Awesome, let us know how it goes.. Lots of support in this forum to get you going..

tammiej

Hi MadsL,

Thanks so much for the hep! I'll have a look at the website

He shaves with an electric razor, he spent a fair bit on it and is not impressed at all with it. It caused a lot of irritation to his skin :eek:

caz25

Hey,

I returned to wet shaving after almost 20 years of trying to find a razor that would suit me. I must say that I researched the subject quite a bit due to the various types and brands on the market, and after ringing Chris at Shaving.ie I opted for the Merkur 38C. Best decision ever. Since then I ordered few more bits and pieces from Chris and I must say that I find their customer service second to none...

MetalBren

shaving.ie is fantastic! i just had my first shave with a razor and equipment i bought there last week. An excellent and highly enjoyable feeling, i might add
Having said that, i think i made a slight mistake, ordered the cheapest shaving cream there it did the job, but wasn't great. anyone recommend a better one?

caz25

I would highly recommend Mr. Taylor's shaving cream from Taylors of Old Bond St.( I loved the smell-it reminded me of my grandfather )It smells nice, makes a good lather and it lasts a long time. Chris at Shaving.ie will be able to give you more details, but their stock is so great you'll be spoiled for choice. I couldn't recommend him highly enough.

MetalBren

i've ordered some of the Taylor cream! should be here friday

caz25

Great. You won't be dissapointed.

caz25

I would sugest to you to give Chris a ring and he'll give you some advice to suit your needs and budget. I think your dad will be thrilled.

tammiej

Thank you so much for all the help guys, really appreciate it!

I'll give chris a call tomorrow, have a chat and see which he recommends, i'll let yee know how I get on .

Had a browse through the website, had no idea there were so many choices and products for mens shaving.........god yee are so vein

MadsL

Not vanity, it hurts when you get it wrong. Prep really helps...








...but (some) men also like to smell nice !!

tammiej

Hi guys,

Had a chat with Chris, unbelievably helpful, he recommended a few razors, now i have to try and choose......any ideas?

http://www.shaving.ie/products/-Muhle-R106-Safety-Razor-%26-Silvertip-Set.html

http://www.shaving.ie/products/Muhle-Stylo-African-Blackwood-Shaving-Set.html

http://www.shaving.ie/products/Muhle-Stylo-Safety-Razor-Set-in-Black.html

http://www.shaving.ie/products/Edwin-Jagger-DE89L-Shave-Set.html

He also recommended Taylor of old bond street shave cream with these razors, now i'm thinking should I also get Taylor of old Bond street aftershave cream with it? Or what do guys normally use?

oscarBravo

My experience with the Edwin Jagger is that it's a smooth, comfortable razor to use. I have no experience of the Muhles.

Gran Hermano

I'm pretty sure that the Edwin Jagger and Muhle razors use the same heads and should be equally suitable. Pick whichever handle you like.

MadsL

tammiej wrote: »

Hi guys,

Had a chat with Chris, unbelievably helpful, he recommended a few razors, now i have to try and choose......any ideas?

http://www.shaving.ie/products/-Muhle-R106-Safety-Razor-%26-Silvertip-Set.html

http://www.shaving.ie/products/Muhle-Stylo-African-Blackwood-Shaving-Set.html

http://www.shaving.ie/products/Muhle-Stylo-Safety-Razor-Set-in-Black.html

http://www.shaving.ie/products/Edwin-Jagger-DE89L-Shave-Set.html

He also recommended Taylor of old bond street shave cream with these razors, now i'm thinking should I also get Taylor of old Bond street aftershave cream with it? Or what do guys normally use?

The Proraso Pre and Post Shave cream would be a good choice for a newbie (numbs things up a bit and is very cooling)

MetalBren

I'm gradually getting this shaving thing down! I've been getting consistent, smooth shaves that are totally bloodless!
The whole ritual is quite comforting, i think i'm going to keep shaving this way!
I did find a second razor, the curiousity of trying a different kind of blade got the better of me.. the second is a Allan Arthur from glasgow, from roughly the late 1800s. its a wedge, with black horn scales i find it shaves wonderfully!
having said that, if anyone knows anything else about that brand it'd be most interesting :L
And straightrazorplace is an excellent source for the whole experience!

MadsL

It is possible that the name on the razor is the seller - Arthur Allen rather than the maker. Most English razors in this era were made in Sheffield, or made in Sheffield and ground in Germany. I think you have a brand rather than a maker. Any other markings or symbols?

Gran Hermano

http://www.archive.org/stream/postofficeannual188889gla/postofficeannual188889gla_djvu.txt

Lists Allan Arthur in Glasgow.

Allan, Arthur, gunmaker, cutler, ironmonger, saw, edge tool, and fishing rod and ......

MetalBren

It has "magnetic razor" etched into the blade. Other than that it just says "Allan Arthur" and "glasgow"
The blade is pretty much a wedge, 6/8 and is pretty hefty, if that helps?