Here are some common questions potential buyers have about straight razors.

A: While Dovo deservedly gets a lot of press for the quality of their straight razor offerings there are other manufacturers who hit the bull’s eye with regularity, including most of the entries on the above list.

A: Shaving with a straight edge is mostly common sense and not all that different than shaving with any standard safety razor.

A: One of the great benefits of the straight edge razor is that there’s no expiration date on it and no mechanical components that are going to wear out from repeated use. If you take care of your straight razor your grandson should still be able to use it decades from now.

A: If your straight razor is a classic 6/8 inch fixed stainless steel blade you should subject it to the strop before every use. If yours is a straight edge with replaceable blades then swap them out whenever they start to get dull.

As mentioned a definite “pro” is that this is simple, timeless technology that will last as long as you take care of it. Another is that it’s a very cost effective way to handle the matter of removing facial hair and yet another “pro” is that it provides a link to a more tactile time in an era when such links are becoming increasingly rare. As for “cons” perhaps the only one worth noting is the safety issue. If young children have access to your bathroom you’ll want to consider squirreling your straight razor away and taking it out when you need it.

When looking for a straight razor be mindful of the following considerations:

Blade Quality – Nothing will spoil a shave more effectively that a poor quality blade. Whether you have a classic straight razor with a 6/8 inch blade or one with disposable/replaceable blades always make sure that the steel contacting your face is high quality steel. For fixed blades a high quality steel will sharpen up easier and more effectively than low quality steel. The edge on a low quality replacement blade will dull quickly and likely rust as well.

Blade Shape – The shape of a fixed blade straight razor will essentially be either square or rounded with subtle variations within the two types. Basically it comes down to a matter of safety. It will be easier to cut yourself with a square tipped blade than a blade with a rounded tip. So the choice is yours.

Country of Origin – Although, to be sure, there are exceptions to every rule, checking the country of origin can be instructive. If your straight razor is manufactured in Germany, Japan or even the good old USA it’s likely to be a quality tool.

Style – Most men purchase straight edge razors as much for the visuals as anything else. They just look great: very manly and timeless. That said there is a lot of wiggle room within the words “manly” and “timeless” and designers exploit that to create straight razors that run the style gamut. To a certain degree the design you choose will be driven by the style of your bathroom decor. You don’t want your razor to look out of place.

Price – There’s no straight razor that’s going to alter your financial landscape. They’re all pretty affordable; even the high end ones. So how much you spend will be entirely up to you. However, if you’re going to go the straight razor route it makes a certain amount of sense to spend a few extra bucks and get something you want to see in the morning.

The straight razor revival has caught the imagination of men around the world and breathed new life into a product that had once been left for dead. We hope you found this information helpful in deciding which straight razor will be best for you and don’t forget to check back regularly for more product reviews and guides from your friends at gearhungry.com.