What's the Best Straight Razor For Beginners? 

Great advice all around, Doc. Thanks for your support! Really appreciate you seeking us out, buying a razor from us (glad to see that you're enjoying it!), and making a video about your experience. I'd be happy to answer any questions you or your viewers may have about our company, being a small business in 2021, shaving, or life in general.

Yeah everyone should start with a $300 razor! Thats gotta be some kinda SUPER steel!

I have been using this razor for the past few weeks and I really enjoy it. Thank you for the recommendation and the discount code. Very happy with my purchase.

Thanks Doc! Just ordered one! They are back up for sales! Very happy to support a small business!!

I love me some Thiers-Issard. Hell, they comprise half of my rather large collection. Great recommendation! I've had honing on a few of my razors done by Portland Razor Co.before Dr. Matt taught me how to hone via his videos. They came back to me keen, super-sharp and ready to go. Great video as always. New guys looking for a quality blade at a reasonable price or long-time shavers that haven't tried TI yet, give it a shot. You won't be disappointed.

My Theirs- Issard was, until I saw your video on spine straightening, a nightmare...now it is a great shaver...Thanks Dr. Matt. I also think 6/8 is the the sweet spot for razor width. Cheers and shave on..Mike.

Haven't even watched the video yet, paused the ad to write this. Thank you for this video. My beard's days are numbered.

Always good suggestions. After I check out mine a little more and experiment I'll send one to you so I can feel the difference.

I don’t have that particular model from TI but the one that I have is a great shaver. I have been very pleased with the steel and the way that it holds the edge. It provides a smooth shave. Great advice for all to try. Thanks for making arrangements for the special!

Great Vid Dr Matt! I agree, the best razor to start with is the one you like the most. Portland Razor Co is a great razor shop too. I live in Oregon and had a chance to meet Hunter and tour their shop. They were great. I had them custom make me a SR. In fact it’s time for you to put another edge on it! Thanks for sharing!

Thanks a bunch. Very helpful . I sent this off to my son. He’s just got into wet shaving.

Excellent stuff and ALWAYS appreciated. Best Regards and thanks.

I love my TI razors. My first was 11/16 basic black and I still use it.

Thank you for your info on a first razor,I’ll be looking for one here in the UK! Cheers Dr. Matt!

Hey Matt! Great looking razor indeed! Did you show in the begining a Haryali? What do you say about those? I saw them for super cheap, seemed too good to be true. Can they hold an edge?

Just ordered one of these. It’s in the mail! I will give it a shave and decide if it has any issues for you to sort out. Thanks!

Thank you, Dr. Matt, for yet another good suggestion. I own a TI and it is an excellent razor. in my opinion TI razors are underrated. I prefer to sharpen TI's with synthetic stones. With natural stones it takes too much time to sharpen this steel. One more reason that makes it a good razor for beginners is that it is relatively short razor (~65mm) compared to most 6/8 razors. Thank you for this video, I Love Your Channel!

Totally agree on the Le Grelot. I've had my best SR shaves with it. A T.I. SR for $161 is just an outta-the-park great deal. However, the price point for someone trying a SR out of curiosity might be steep. I hesitate to mention Gold Dollar razors in the same context as a T.I., but if you can put a good edge on them they can be a good gateway/introduction to SR shaving.

Great video for the new guys keep up the great work my friend

Been thinking about a straight razor, think I'll go with the one you linked from K.C it's a pre-order but I'm in no hurry. Nice review, thanks for the info.

Thank you Dr. Matt.

TIs are awesome, my favorite mass produced razor in full hollow (singing) and hollow.

My god Drmatt. You have been a huge help since I started. My wife got me a Thiers issard for Christmas with a Naniwa 12000. All for £89.The guy got it but decided straight razors not for him. Its the Wolf and Sheepy guy. Over here they are £230.love straight razoring. Could not have done it without your expert advice. Well I could but my face wouldn't be as beautiful as it is now. Keep safe Bro.

I purchased the T.I. Le Grelot at your recommendation and I absolutely love it! Probably the most shave ready SR I have ever shaved with. However, for someone starting out and testing the waters in SR shaving, I do not recommend spending that kind of money. ($160 +). I know a lot of folks trash Gold Dollar razors but a GD was my very first razor that I started with six years ago and it still delivers a very good shave all for around $36 which included honing and shipping. I also tested out your video regarding buying and honing your first Ebay razor. I used the same parameters as you did except my price range was $15-$25, free shipping and buy now. I got a beauty of a razor from China that honed beautifully and it shaves right up there with the T.I. Le Grelot. In fact, I am shaving almost exclusively with the T.I. and my Ebay razor nowadays even though I have several other higher priced SR's. I think a newbie to SR shaving doesn't need to spend more than $40 to see if it's something that he will like and stick with. Looking back, there is a definite transition from DE shaving to SR shaving. DE shaving can move along quite quickly with practice while a SR takes a little more time and technique, probably twice as long as a DE shave in my experience. But I still use a DE for light buffing and touch-up after a 2 pass SR shave.

I started out with Shavette and looking back it was a good choice the blade is half the size of a Traditional so it's easier to see where your shaving especially around the edges. However there is one drawback the edges are shaper than a Traditional and they don't take mercy on the shaver but if you shallow out the angle you get a feel for what you need to do with reasonable results. If you want to learn watch Dr Matt one of the Masters......

A bank of important facts. Thank you!

I bought the TI half hollow as my first razor about a week ago recommended by adam at invisible edge

Great to see ya doc

Dr. MATT, YOU ROCK BROTHER!

good vid doc. Thiers are nice razors indeed.

oooo might have to look for that one . nice one sir thank you 👍👍👍👍

That's certainly a great looking razor. I'll have to pick one of those up.

Just because it's what I shave with I feel inclined to defend Dovo (specifically the Bergischer Lowe, I don't have any experience with anything else from them). Not that I think the Dr. was speaking ill of all Dovos, but I have nothing bad to say about that particular model. Anyway, in my humble opinion this is the #1 channel on the RU-vid for shaving advise, his videos on edge geometry saved the first razor I ever bought from certain doom as a display piece. I wish I had seen this video a few years ago when making my first purchase. Thanks Dr Matt for all the good content!

Came to learn left admiring the Liddy pic. I have the same autographed one

I’ve been thinking about getting a ½ hollow, so maybe I’ll give this TI a try. Thanks for arranging this excellent deal, Dr. Matt!

Thank you so much for your advice! :-). What do you think about the ones 7/8 and 8/8 Would you recommend them? :-)

Thank you so much !!

thank you for this video i know what razer to get now

Great video! I have been thinking about taking the plunge to a new razor for a while now, and was going to buy a Dovo best quality or a boker king cutter. I am so glad I saw this video first! I got a Thiers-Issard 1937 Special Coiffeur 6/8 1/2 hollow ground for $120 with shipping! It is a beautiful razor, looking closer at the Dovos, and they’re very rough as far as finish goes. Do you happen to still sharpen?

I love this

I have a 3k/10k grit Naniwa stone. So far I have sharpened handplane blades and knives with it. Can I use these for my razor? Or do I need to buy grits in between what I have?

Thanks for your valuable input, and the great discount code!......Where is the shave test?lol

Dr. Matt-Just sent you pictures of all of my equipment and some of my straight razors. Again, having trouble bring my razor back to shave readiness when it stops shaving closely-John in Texas

Very Cool

I’ve been wet shaving about 8 months now with a DE safety razor. I’m looking to move to a straight razor. Do you recommend a shavette to learn how to shave this way before buying a proper straight razor?

Nice video DrMatt Have a great day and take care. 🤘😃🤘

Thanks for the suggestion. Does the razor come shave ready or will i need to send it to you?

Thanks

From my personal point of view, the Gold Dollar is a good starting point. It is cheap, permissive and has a soft blade that is easy to maintain.

nice video !!

Ty for this vdo iam new to all this

On your suggestion I put tape on the spine - three layers of electrical tape. (If something is worth doing, it's worth overdoing) When the tape comes off the edge is lifted - while shaving. I just had a very good shave.

do they make 1/4 hollows any more?

I just got a gold dollar from Ant Espo and He recommended I get for my next intermediate razor a “TI” Man those races are nice I ordered it right away

Opps! I commented while watching, just saw the shave.....

I have straight or as we say this side of the pond, cut throat razors from many and various, and i gotta say i agree. The thiers issard although a reputation for warped or out of shape razors they are great. To be fair I like the dovo for what it is but the Frogs have it. Great vid Doc, greetings from Gibraltar

Do you own any 4/8" razors? What's a good razor for precision work and trimming inside a goatee etc? Isn't 6/8" too big?

Typical, the day I splash out on a Dovo I see your video! Need your advice for the bevel set and hone. Should I tape or not?

Great video Dr. Matt! My first traditional straight was a Dovo Special 5/8 round pt that was honed by Lynn Abrams. It is an excellent razor. I have a Dovo BQ that I bought grom Royal shave brand new, but I had to eventually hone it and it also is a fine razoe. So I have to disagree with your thumbs down on it. I own a Spartucus Thiers-Issard and I find that it is a little rougher than my Dovo's. It gives a fine shave, but it just feels different. I believe 5/8 round points are the way to go for newbies. By the way, I have a little over 2 years in straight shaving and I prefer bigger blades. I do own a 10/8 Sprechet and I have a 13/8 square point order from Art Razor. They are a company in the Ukraine and Yuri Kravchenko is the master razor maker. Have you heard of him?

I might try one of these. What’s the worst thing that can happen?

Can DrMatt or anyone else here with expertise recommend the current best staright razor to get since this video is almost a year old now? I have been shaving with double edge razors (Rockwell Razors 6S) for maybe 10 years now but feel it is time to come over to the Straight Razor side and learn from you OGs on the lost art.

Was literally looking at that razor like 20 minutes ago o.O

Hi DrMatt357 How does the TI compare with the Koraat ?

I have a soft spot for the 6/8 as well. That said, I got a TI from Lehman's that's a beast to get to take and hold an edge.

Hey dr matt sorry about the samples I shipped it about a month ago and they just now informed me that the tubes of shave tonic broke and an employee threw them out so I got my money back and will try figuring out how to get you some of those samples sent to you to try.

Do you think the Knife Center Special Chauffeur is as quality steel as the Le Grelot stock?

Would you say even with this half hollow you get as close a shave as with a full hollow ? I only care about closeness of shave

Damn Doc, now I want that 320.00 razor with fancy scales!

Is there a straight razor that haves a 5/8 width Round tip Half hollow Stainless steel? I been looking for hours and can't find any.

So how does the Dovo Bismarck stack up against the T.I.‘S? Thanks

I got my Le Petite a week ago and the steel does feel completely different from the German steel that I’m used to. For a 4/8 it seems heavy for some reason. That steel is no joke...

Portand R Co is out of business.. Thanks for the info.

Almost all brands of razors you will buy, new or vintage, have razors with geometry issues. I know of none I have ever come across who were completely exempt from it. TI is no worse or better in that regard than any other brand, IMHO. And they are a great razor. I love the Extra Hollow and full hollow grinds; they feel sharper and keener to me. But grind is really a personal preference, and you need to shave a while before you can really make that choice. MHO.

I am not a tremendous fan of Dovo, and I think their entry level razors are pretty bogus. However, the form factor of the Dovo Bismarck and others made on the same blank are very ergonomic and do not have a stabilizer. My favorite modern production razor, as a matter of fact.

Wow,wish I woulda saw this video when it came out.been debating on a straight razor for roughly a year now between the prices of $100 to $200 and kinda had my mind set on a Boker Waldorf.making me rethink that now after watching this video especially being that I was under the impression that German steel is pretty much the best for a straight razor.being that this razor your speaking of falls into price range I was shooting for I think I'm gonna have to check it out prior to making a final decision.thanks for video and recommendation.👍

I say a 7/8 and then get the Boker Mini 4/8 for the tight spots

I run the point on my 1k stone to keep that point down before I started doing that I would cut my ears a lot.

The steel is not any improvement over the Dovo carbon steel.. It has 0.8% higher content but lacks any trace elements of chromium and vanadium witch improves harding and reduce grain structure so i highly disagree with your opinion.. I stick with my good old Dovo Solingen in Silver Steel at 61hrc and absolutely beautiful fit and finish.. How about you get Dovo straight razor of equal price and make comparison between the 2!? Good idea for video cause i didnt see one until now

TOP.MASTER

Dovo round tip. All day everyday.

How much do you charge for sharping cut throat razor

Agree 100% TI is a great razor, 5/8 is not a hair chopper like a 6/8, and DOVO makes some duds🤙

You shave with the grain or against

The first half of our replen order just arrived! We still need to inspect and hone each razor, but most of you who ordered should receive a tracking number today or tomorrow. The remainder will be ready next week. Thank you all so much for your support!

Blade is quality, sharpe and nice balance. Scales are crap! Will change out soon.

$180 yikes! Anything cheaper? I'm sure the deal is expired. This veteran wants a straight razor but that's a hefty price.

Nothing complicated buy what makes you happy 😂 no voodoo

Everything is sold out.

too bad they come from portland

Dang they are totally out of the razor 🥺

Im looking for somthing to replace my Harrys razors. Im wanting to go with a straight razor. My question is Portland Razor a woke company?

Jesus that's expensive