A question about straight razors

[Flapjacks]

Hello all,

I saw a great post about straight razors here, and it seems like you all are very knowledgeable about them. I have been shaving with a Parker SR1, which has a disposable blade, for a little over a year now, and it is my first razor. I thought I'd start out with something inexpensive just in case I wasn't fit to shave with a straight edge. Now I'm so happy with the process and ritual of straight edge shaving that I've written a post about my love for it, which has gotten many of my friends to try it out!

I'm at the point where I am considering the purchase of a Dovo razor, which obviously has a non-disposable blade. My questions is this: what are the benefits/drawbacks of using a non-disposable straight edge blade over a disposable blade straight razor?

Thanks guys!

Flapjacks

 

[Shangas]

Benefits:

You NEVER have to buy another razor (in theory).
Just keep resharpening and resharpening, stropping and stropping. No buying new blades.
The razor (with proper care) will last for centuries.

Drawbacks:

The razor needs proper care. You can't just chuck it around like your disposable razor. It needs to be dried thoroughly after each shave, to prevent rusting.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

I've never used disposable straight blades so I don't know the advantage of a "proper" straight razor over disposables.

Benefit of straight razor: cost. For £150 or so, the Dovo razor will last a lifetime, with the aid of a £30 strop. Gillette Mach3 disposables are at about £5 for 4. They're blunt after a single shave (at least with my beard hair). Very expensive in the long run.

bk

 

[dnjan]

I have a couple of "new" razors, but normally use a vintage razor. Recently picked up a German "Ern 38" razor (made in Wald, from their pre-Solingen days) at an antique store for under $40. My "travel" razor is a German (Solingen) stainless 4/8 razor I picked up on Ebay for about the same price, including shipping.

As far as I can tell, the only advantage of a straight razor with disposable blades is for barbershops in jurisdictions that require sterilization of implements that could possibly draw blood.

 

[Scottish Steve]

I could go on and on, but there are far more knowledgeable people than I on www.badgerandblade.com Check out the straight razor section and learn a lot.