Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 13
Like Tree3Likes

Thread: Need help with a razor choice decision

  1. #1
    Senior Member otherstar's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    Porter, TX
    Posts
    235
    Thanked: 20

    Default Need help with a razor choice decision

    Greeting all! I've been shaving with a straight that I got from Larry at WhippedDog.com (9/16 Kraut & Donahl), and another vintage straight (6/8 JM Schmid & Son) that I acquired locally for about 6 months now. I feel like I'm ready to spring for a brand new straight razor just because I've always wanted to have brand new one in my collection. The problem is, I cannot make up my mind which one I want, and funds are somewhat limited.

    I'm torn between the 6/8 Dovo Bismarck, Dovo 6/8 Best Quality in Black (full hollow), and the Boker King Cutter 5/8 in Black. The Bismarck would use up my entire budget. If I were to get either of the other razors, I could probably get another vintage razor too. I want it all, but simply cannot afford it!

    Any advice would be much appreciated!

  2. #2
    Senior Member TrilliumLT's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Everett, Ontario
    Posts
    1,553
    Thanked: 309

    Default

    If the choice was mine i would go the route of another Vintage Blade.

  3. The Following User Says Thank You to TrilliumLT For This Useful Post:

    otherstar (10-07-2011)

  4. #3
    ace
    ace is offline
    Senior Member blabbermouth ace's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Virginia
    Posts
    3,362
    Thanked: 581

    Default

    The problem with setting your sights on a 'new' razor is that, after you shave with it, it is no longer new. I'd spend my time looking for something vintage, something collectible, something that will hold its value. I have two new razors. I've never shaved with them. I'll very likely be selling them at a loss.

  5. The Following User Says Thank You to ace For This Useful Post:

    otherstar (10-07-2011)

  6. #4
    UPD
    UPD is offline
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Jacksonville, FL
    Posts
    142
    Thanked: 20

    Default

    I agree, get a few more vintage razors, they are the best shavers when properly honed.

  7. The Following User Says Thank You to UPD For This Useful Post:

    otherstar (10-07-2011)

  8. #5
    The Assyrian Obie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Milwaukee, WI
    Posts
    11,145
    Thanked: 2755

    Default

    Hello, otherstar:

    Of three choices for the new razors, I would choose the Boker "King Cutter." I had that razor and it turned out to be a sweet one. The Bismarck has a thumb notch, and some gentlemen have a slight difficulty with that, especially when stropping.

    Should you have money left over, I'm sure you can land a quality vintage razor in the Classified. You can refrain from buying the new razors and spend your money on all vintage, but I think having one new and one vintage will give you variety: a taste of the new and old.

  9. The Following User Says Thank You to Obie For This Useful Post:

    otherstar (10-07-2011)

  10. #6
    Senior Member blabbermouth
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    St. Paul, MN, USA
    Posts
    2,401
    Thanked: 335

    Default

    A vintage razor from one of the members here who hones it to shave readiness is probably your best value. That having been said, I'd probably still go for the DOVO 6/8 Special. I really like the looks of the fake turtle scales and the way mine shaves. I don't have a clue why it seems to work so smoothly, but it's earned a permanent spot in the rotation.

    niftyshaving likes this.

  11. The Following User Says Thank You to Bruce For This Useful Post:

    otherstar (10-07-2011)

  12. #7
    The Hurdy Gurdy Man thebigspendur's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    New Mexico
    Posts
    32,737
    Thanked: 5016
    Blog Entries
    4

    Default

    Vintage razors are most certainly the way to go however I have to tell you there is something special and nice about getting a brand spanking new razor. So just buy what you want the most. It's like someone thinking about buying a Rolex Watch. They eventually decide it's way overpriced and not worth it but they want it and so settle for something else but always regret the decision down the road.

    I don't know much about the new Revisors. I would probably go for the old reliable Dovo.
    niftyshaving likes this.
    No matter how many men you kill you can't kill your successor-Emperor Nero

  13. The Following User Says Thank You to thebigspendur For This Useful Post:

    otherstar (10-07-2011)

  14. #8
    Senior Member blabbermouth niftyshaving's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Silicon Valley, CA, USA
    Posts
    3,157
    Thanked: 852

    Default

    When the budget is tight, up to three about razors: go for well honed previously used blades
    with sound scales. One good place to find these is the Classified above. Larry's pages look
    like there are a number of better than average razors that fit my requirement for good steel and sound scales.

    After that what ever floats your boat.

    About three razors gives you a working rotation
    with one extra to practice honing and stropping on
    without risking your 'shaver' for today. Or one in transit
    between you and your honemaster.

    A good vintage no name razor can have steel as good
    as any new razor.

    The three new blades you list and two vintage blades
    all look like good razors.

    Where are you with your strop?
    A strop is used each day and while an expensive one is not
    needed a quality one is a good thing and lasts a long time.

  15. The Following User Says Thank You to niftyshaving For This Useful Post:

    otherstar (10-07-2011)

  16. #9
    Senior Member otherstar's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    Porter, TX
    Posts
    235
    Thanked: 20

    Default

    Niftyshaving: I have a relatively new Fromm/Illinois (leather and linen with handles) strop that only has a few nicks in it from when I was first learning to strop. I also have my grandfathers barber's hone and PHIG. Do you think those should last me for awhile? (well, I'm NEVER getting rid of the hones even if I upgrade..lol).

    Thanks to everyone's advice I'm strongly leaning away from the Dovo Bismarck and towards acquiring another vintage blade and a more affordable "new" razor.

  17. #10
    Senior Member blabbermouth niftyshaving's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Silicon Valley, CA, USA
    Posts
    3,157
    Thanked: 852

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by otherstar View Post
    Niftyshaving: I have a relatively new Fromm/Illinois (leather and linen with handles) strop that only has a few nicks in it from when I was first learning to strop. I also have my grandfathers barber's hone and PHIG. Do you think those should last me for awhile? (well, I'm NEVER getting rid of the hones even if I upgrade..lol).

    Thanks to everyone's advice I'm strongly leaning away from the Dovo Bismarck and towards acquiring another vintage blade and a more affordable "new" razor.
    Illinois (leather and linen with handles) will do the trick and last for years.
    You are good to go.... no mater what razor you decide you are going to
    be happy.

    Well the dog is barking at something...
    Have fun.
    otherstar likes this.

  18. The Following User Says Thank You to niftyshaving For This Useful Post:

    otherstar (10-07-2011)

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •