Dovo Grim Edition

For starters, this is my first post, so take it easy guys.
I'm looking at getting into straight razor shaving, so I'm looking for a decent kit to get started with. It seems like Dovo best quality is a good starter razor but all the kits that I can find are close to $300 in Aus, where as the grim edition set is only $140+postage ( DOVO 6/8 Blades Grim Edition Razor With Premium Shave Set - StraightRazors.com ). I know that they have a bad reputation and are on the do not buy list, but it says that the razors themselves are Dovo and just branded with Grim Blades. Is it worth a shot or should I steer clear? Any information or experience with those blades would be much appretiated.

Did you check into what Straight Razor Design may have to offer in the same price range?? I suppose a re-branded Dovo would be alright, but I have seen their strops and indeed...they are "Grim".

Welcome to SRP Keego. For me personally I'd stay clear. I don't know anything about those razors but all I can say is that I've never seen someone post on here about them so if were any good someone would of raved about them by now.
Look in the classifieds section there is a couple of good razors that are shave ready from members here for $65 ish. you'd be better off getting one that you know is good to go from the off and buy a strop brush etc with the rest of the money that you'd have spent the Grim starter set probably only to be disappointed.

Good luck with your journey!

Mark

I did have a look at their products as they were recommended by many people on these forums. Their cheapest set is USD$220+$40 shipping to aus, so I'd easily be hitting the $300 mark with currency conversion :( It seems like the best option is to purchase a razor by itself for around $90-100 and then get a cheap kit together.

I'll check out the classifieds section now Mark, thanks.

Welcome to SRP. We have an anti vendor bashing policy here on SRP. If one guy has a good experience, another a bad one, we don't know who is accurate so we don't allow the negative comments. That said, if a vendor is on our "do not buy" list it must be for a good reason.

Have you posted in the 'Down Under forum ? There are a number of active members who come from your neck of the woods who could probably steer you in the right direction to get what you need. Down under

The most inexpensive way to try out straight razor shaving would be to get a used vintage razor that is shave ready. They do appear in the classifieds here at decent prices shave ready. Arko is a good inexpensive soap and paired with an Omega boar brush is all you need to start. You should be able to get a hold of some Roo leather cheaply over there for making a strop. You could put a good serviceable kit together for under $100.00.

Some of the OZ members may even be able to help you assemble such a kit source in OZ without having to import it. I am sure some of them will be along shortly with suggestions.

Bob

Thanks for info Bob, I think that's the way to go. I've been looking through the Down under section as Jimmy mentioned it.

For that price, I'd get a best quality and a nice strop from Lynn at SRD. That's what I did, and haven't regretted it at all.

I honed up a Grim blade about 2 months ago and it is a standard Dovo blade and has the typical Dovo factory bevel on it. Pretty much the same as the Art of Shaving Dovos - just a different stamp on the blade.

I've never used that vendor so I have no comment on them.

Keego, have just sent you a PM I am in Sydney, you can borrow my first Top Flite razor and see how you go, I will disinfect it and make it shave ready for you. Check out the Aust forum though as there are some guys in central QLD and they meet every now and then. If you do not want to pay postage and handleing for my Top Flite then one of them may be near to you and willing to catch up. If you make it to Sydney, drop in and we can have a beer and chat about all things razor.

Thanks for the info Cris. Think I'm going to stay away from that vendor. I have an old vintage one lined up that he has offered to hone for me. It seems like the cheapest and best option at this stage so I'll know how a razor is supposed to shave. Also replied to your pm Crackers, thanks.

[QUOTE=Keego;1414643]For starters, this is my first post, so take it easy guys.

Welcome and just so you know the take it easy part not a chance!!!!!:rock:
Seriously though as I have found all of the guys here are very eager to help( some a little to eager), and all of us mean well and have only the best intentions.

LET THE FLOGGINGS BEGIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The razor on their picture does not have a Dovo stamp on the shank:
Attachment 184369

The logo on the face is most likely done by the vendor, not by Dovo - they have been putting it on a number of their razors sourced from everywhere in the world - Asia, Europe, US.

You definitely do not want to buy a razor based on that brand (a purely marketing trick developed through focus-group testing), you want to buy it based on the actual manufacturer of the razor.

The rest in that set looks very much like the cheap stuff that can be had all over ebay for a couple of dollars, and usually doesn't work too well.
A Dovo 'Best Quality' razor is available from many places and if you're looking for a kit you're better off to get one where the rest of the items are of proven high quality.

Check out the classifieds both here and one or two of the other sites.

I just within the last day or two sold-
..A Rooney Super Silvertip brush w/box like new
..A Boker Edelweiss 5/8 straight razor w/box and "better than new" (read very shave ready here)
--250 gr of Klar Kabinette shave soap. Now discontinued this stuff is legendary and a 1/4 kilo will last a VERY long time.

All this went for right at $200.00 (plus shipping)

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