What would be a great second straight?

**BrookR1** · 05-04-2012, 10:24 PM

I ordered my sight unseen from whipped dog and I can't wait to try it out. However, I'm already thinking about my next razor. I'm having a hard time figuring out if I want to go new or buy a nicely restored vintage. Some of the vintages are really sexy. That said, I don't want to buy on looks alone. It has to be a good razor to use for my skill level. I'm also a little confused about hollows...I've seen some that are 1/4 and 3/4 hollows and others that are full hollows. From my understanding, full hollows are better.

**UPD** · 05-04-2012, 10:46 PM

Well, you can't say that one particular grind is better. It's a subjective thing, I personally prefer a full-hollow, others might like a wedge.
I tend to say that a 1/2 hollow is a good beginner grind, it's right in the middle, a little more forgiving than a full-hollow, yet still quite nimble and easy for a beginner.
You might just buy another inexpensive back-up razor from Larry, or you can wait a few weeks and then spend the bigger bucks on something you really want. There is plenty of time and plenty of razors to try out all the various grinds and see what you like best. To be perfectly honest, some of the new razors being made today in factories are not even close to the quality of workmanship of the vintage razors, which is a real shame. You'll wind up with many razors in the next few months, like everyone else who got into this to save money, you get hooked and want to try out different razors, collect the really cool vintage ones, etc.

Good luck.

**Cochese2323** · 05-05-2012, 07:09 AM

My favorite razor is quarter hollow Hart Steel. It's a silent killer and just mows down everything in its path. But it is just a personal preference as stated UPD. My second favorite is my Dovo best half hollow. Kind of a noce mix of both worlds.

But To address your question, my full hollow razor shaves my face just as good as any of my razors. I just prefer the heft of the heavier grind in my hand and the way it gives "feedback" as it is cutting, or lack of feedback I guess. The sound the full hollow makes while cutting whiskers kinda sounds like nails on a chalk board to me.

**BrookR1** · 05-05-2012, 07:27 AM

Thanks for the replies. It sounds like I will just have to buy and try out different razors to develop my preferences. I'm amazed at the price range of vintage razors. Finding my second won't be as easy as I initially thought it would be.

**Cochese2323** · 05-05-2012, 07:38 AM

If you want a vintage razor, make sure you check out any antique stores near you. I scored a few really nice blades for very good prices that way

**dknox** · 05-05-2012, 08:12 AM

I would go with something completely different.. If you have 5/8 full hollow round point, try 7/8 quarter hollow square point, or something like that.

But really, just grab the first one you see on BST that trips your trigger :) and make sure it's shave ready

**Earcutter** · 05-05-2012, 08:41 AM

Originally Posted by BrookR1

Thanks for the replies. It sounds like I will just have to buy and try out different razors to develop my preferences. I'm amazed at the price range of vintage razors. Finding my second won't be as easy as I initially thought it would be.

I couldn't agree more! In a way, you kind of have to take your chances. I have had luck with all types, but were I to go in buying from a manufacturer who sells a myriad of types - I would go full hollow.

Jerrod over at TSS - http://thesuperiorshave.com/Dovo_Str...ht_Razors.html sells "entry level" Dovo's that are half and full hollows for < $90. It might be a good way to try. That's what i did and my "Best Quality" Dovo oddly enough, is still one of my best shaves!

**Gamma** · 05-05-2012, 09:23 AM

Rhetoricallhy - what do you like/dislike about the razor you have..? Once you can answer that, then making a second choice can be easier. Me - I started with a 5/8 full hollow spike, then I picked up a 6/8 full hollow round nose. I've tried a bunch of differnt grinds/tips/sizes and I feel that it's not just a select combination of features that matters - it's more about how all the features add up in that one razor. Balance, shape of scales, jimps/no jimps, etc... they all play into the end result.
Some kind of lend/lease program would be good I think - where you can try different razors to see what's up. But two razors with very similar configurations won't necessarily shave the same way so there's another consideration.

**UPD** · 05-05-2012, 10:40 AM

Originally Posted by Gamma

Rhetoricallhy - what do you like/dislike about the razor you have..? Once you can answer that, then making a second choice can be easier. Me - I started with a 5/8 full hollow spike, then I picked up a 6/8 full hollow round nose. I've tried a bunch of differnt grinds/tips/sizes and I feel that it's not just a select combination of features that matters - it's more about how all the features add up in that one razor. Balance, shape of scales, jimps/no jimps, etc... they all play into the end result.
Some kind of lend/lease program would be good I think - where you can try different razors to see what's up. But two razors with very similar configurations won't necessarily shave the same way so there's another consideration.

I believe Larry is still doing this... If you want to try out a different razor, you send him the one you bought from him, pay for the honing and he will send you a different razor to try.

**BrookR1** · 05-05-2012, 11:45 AM

Damn...where's my self control? I was going to do some more research, but I found one and I thought I might like. I very much prefer heavier DEs, so I thought I might like a heavier straight. I didn't pay too much for it, so we will see. Well...I'm full in now. Can't wait to try it out.

On a side note, there's an antique mall near where I live, but I found the prices to be ridiculous.

[hide][top]Paulaitis #14 Germany (HEAVY WIDE RAZOR) 6/8+

This is a straight razor that was made in Solingen, Germany by A. Paulaitis. If you are looking for a heavier than normal razor this could be it. While it is not quite up to big chopper status, the blade is thicker and heavier than a standard 5/8 size, and the scales are larger to match the larger blade size. This company is not well known, but it is without any doubt a very high quality razor in all aspects, i.e, steel material, design and manufacture. The hone wear shows quite a bit of wear, but with a full 6/8 plus,wide blade it will last a lifetime of great shaves for any age.. The blade is made of the finest carbon steel, is quarter hollow ground, and has very lustrous mirror finished blade faces. The blade opens and closes snug and smooth on the pivot pin and is well centered between the scales. It carries it's factory original, off white cream colored, lustrous celluloid scales. These scales are in near new condition. Recently honed to provide a smooth, close and comfortable shave, this razor is guaranteed to be shave ready.

**Mike'sWorld** · 05-05-2012, 11:55 AM

Originally Posted by BrookR1

That said, I don't want to buy on looks alone.

So what's wrong with doing that?

**tomjr** · 05-05-2012, 12:28 PM

vintage razors are 4 me. they are the best in my opinion. a shave ready vintage is a great shave. if English, French, Swedish, German, or American at least that is what i have tried and liked.

**global_dev** · 05-05-2012, 05:56 PM

there's 1850 vintage and 1960 vintage, very different..

don't be afraid of full hollows, a wedges edge is just as sharp.. i never bought the beginner vs expert edge and i still don't...

**global_dev** · 05-05-2012, 05:57 PM

Originally Posted by BrookR1

Damn...where's my self control? I was going to do some more research, but I found one and I thought I might like. I very much prefer heavier DEs, so I thought I might like a heavier straight. I didn't pay too much for it, so we will see. Well...I'm full in now. Can't wait to try it out.

On a side note, there's an antique mall near where I live, but I found the prices to be ridiculous.

Paulaitis #14 Germany (HEAVY WIDE RAZOR) 6/8+

looks great!

**UPD** · 05-05-2012, 07:06 PM

Originally Posted by global_dev

there's 1850 vintage and 1960 vintage, very different..

don't be afraid of full hollows, a wedges edge is just as sharp.. i never bought the beginner vs expert edge and i still don't...

It's not about the edge, it's about the grind. Full-hollows are thinner, and they flex much more, a little more picky about proper angles and pressure than a wedge (less forgiving of newbie error). Just my personal experience.

**Krodor** · 05-05-2012, 07:48 PM

I'd wait to get the sight-unseen and find out what it is....then buy one that is opposite, but still vintage. If it is a near-wedge, no jimps, 5/8, square point Solingen, I'd get a fairly-full hollow, jimped 6-7/8" sheffield or USA round point as my second.

it'd be hard to find, so would save you $$ and you'd learn the one you've got.
with the single purchase of that second razor, you'd experience lots of different aspects of the razor you'd like/dislike.
your third-plus razor could then be purchased with a great deal more knowledge about what you like and don't like.

**global_dev** · 05-06-2012, 07:49 AM

Originally Posted by UPD

It's not about the edge, it's about the grind. Full-hollows are thinner, and they flex much more, a little more picky about proper angles and pressure than a wedge (less forgiving of newbie error). Just my personal experience.

From experience, I guess I don't agree. That's cool though.

**BrianTN** · 05-07-2012, 05:39 AM

I just bought my second razor last night. It's a Iwasaki Kamisori. A bit pricey, but it looks killer. Just hope I like how it shaves compared to my Hart.

**Xman74** · 05-07-2012, 03:34 PM

Already lots of great advice here. As I got more experienced with straights (and I've only been doing this a short while) and learned what I liked and didn't, I started to seek out excellent examples of blades from the famous cutlery regions of the world. So when I buy a new razor now, I am looking for an excellent example from Solingen, Thiers, Sheffield, Eskilstuna, etc. that I don't already have. Each country's blades have their strengths and each are unique in their own way.

Anyway, just a thought.