Need Advice on a CL find

Hello everyone,

I need some advice from the gurus. I found a treasure, at least I think it is, on Craigslist. A Dovo Black Star with some pitting on the blade, case, and strop. Please check out the picture of the blade and let me know what you think. I am sending the payment out tomorrow morning first thing, so I am buying it, figuring even if the razor is junk I'll get a hard case and strop that I will need anyway.

I asked the seler how it shaves, if he thinks if the blade may have been rolled from being dropped or incorrectly stropped etc. If that is the case I plan on sending to Lynn for his services.

He claims it was only used 4 or 5 times....

Thanks in advance for your assistance.


Fatboy Q

The razor and strop look to be in decent shape. I say go for it. :)

Thanks Speedster. Like I said, I already pulled the trigger on the deal, but wanted to know about the pitting and if it is possible to get that bad of pitting only being used 4 or 5 times, and if it will be a great shave. Unless the guy did not know to keep the blade dry, not get water in the handles, and let it air dry before folding it up, or lives by the ocean...

I can't wait to get my hands on it later this week !

Nice looking items. They should serve you well. I would strop it up and see how it shaves. If it needs to be honed you can always send it out.

Thanks guys, I will strop it real good and go from there.

Good luck to ya!

It looks like you've done well.
I'd hone it as soon as it arrived if it were me - just to get a good starting point (and I like honing).
See how it goes and let us all know

I do have a little experience honing knives - kitchen, Bucks, and military types, and have a diamond honing stone set. I will be reading up on stropping and honing after I get through all the other newbies articles I have not read yet. But I think I would feel more comfortable with a professional honing my SR for the first time.....

And I will definitely keep my new friends here up to date.

Where do you plan to get it honed? Locally? If I may pry? And that's a sharp looking set you got :)

If it needs to be honed, I am thinking I would feel more comfortable with a professional. From reading here and SRD, I am inclined to see if Lynn, or other expert here on SRP would take on the task for me. Thanks for the confidence booster on the Dovo I picked out.

The black spots might come of with metal polish but be careful around the gold wash because the polish will take it off. The Dovo Black Star is a nice razor I have that same one It was my first.

I am more worried about the pitting that is close to the edge, to see it clearly you have to increase the zoom to about 200. Regardless it is going to be my first, and at the least I will have a hard case and strop if it turns out to be a PoS that can not be saved/honed.

Can any experts zoom on the pic I provided and tell me what they think of the pitting on the blade and if it will have any effect on my ability to use it and or longevity?

Well,

My mother gave me 2 of my Gramp's soap bowls complete with soap pucks(17yrs old), 2 of his old brushes. I got my Dovo Black Star today, 2 days early, strop, and had all my supplies ready.

I used the strop cloth for 20, leather for 40, and decided to go for broke and try it.

During my shower tonight I left conditioner on my face while I showered. Afterwards I used glycerin while I did my lather. Then did just the right check. From the first pass it felt right. I did 3 passes WTG lathering between each pass, learning which angle felt right as I went.

Although I wanted to continue I stopped with my first test shave a success. After rinsing with cold water, I splashed on some generic witchazel, pat dry, Aqua Velva Ice Blue, followed by Nivea sensitive skin. Feels great and smooth in that one area!

Good job stopping while you were ahead!

Sounds like you made the right choice with the purchase. I think you may still want to get it off to Lynn for honing. With that done you will get your razor back with the best possible edge the razor can take. Either way enjoy.

the bevel looks immaculate from what I can see zooming in. it actually looks like it was honed rather well but that's judging froma picture zoomed. once you see it in person you may say otherwise.

It's funny, the guy purchased it from SRD and it has Lynn's sticker on it that he honed it. I could not wait last night so I stropped very carefully, and it seemed to do very well.

Now I am going to warm up the strop with my hand and try 20 on the linen, 40 or so on the leather, take my shower and give it another go.

Now I am looking for my second razor, then third..... so I will always have at least 1 good razor available to shave with. I will be looking for some vintage American steel preferably with a 3"blade 5/8 or 6/8 half hollow at an equally good price that I got this almost new for.

Eventually I will own a few made here in Mass because it is home, a vintage Masonic razor even if it is just to have to pass along to my son as part of an heirloom collection.

great to hear. have you looked at j r torrey razors and Worcester razor co razors? ive owned bunches of both that were half hollows and all were great examples of American steel. just for a starting place

Thanks; Absolutely, but I am being picky enough with my price range so not going to be even more picky by requireing only Torrey or Worcester Razor company lol

I just need a good 2nd razor ASAP and want it to be vintage American