Thread: I just bought a DOVO razor new and have a couple questions

Hey everyone, I'm 19 and just recently have gotten into straight razors. After a lot of research and lurking on this site and reading threads I finally gave into buying one. I just got this DOVO razor from a craigslist deal its never been used and he let it go to me for $60 bucks. Wasn't gonna argue with that for a razor i saw at the art of shaving for 175 bucks.



I have a few basic questions... :

My most important question is: Is the razor shave ready?

If it's not, do I need to hone it first ? Or do I only need to strop it before the first use?

Do I need to use strop paste?

What is the best kind of strop to get? Horsehide or Cowhide? Linen and Leather? Or just Leather?

Are paddle strops better than the hanging strops?

When I do get it honed, what kind of grit do I use ?

Welcome aboard,,,,,
Start your journey here with these links. Take some time to read the Library articles associated with your question. The result is , more satisfaction from just waiting for members to respond to you questions, plus there are photographs & videos for you there also.

Straight Razor Place Library:Books/Beginners Guide - Straight Razor Place Library

Straight Razor Place Library - Straight Razor Place Library

Originally Posted by valsammarone

Hey everyone, I'm 19 and just recently have gotten into straight razors. After a lot of research and lurking on this site and reading threads I finally gave into buying one. I just got this DOVO razor from a craigslist deal its never been used and he let it go to me for $60 bucks. Wasn't gonna argue with that for a razor i saw at the art of shaving for 175 bucks.



I have a few basic questions... :

My most important question is: Is the razor shave ready?

If it's not, do I need to hone it first ? Or do I only need to strop it before the first use? \

















Do I need to use strop paste?

What is the best kind of strop to get? Horsehide or Cowhide? Linen and Leather? Or just Leather?

Are paddle strops better than the hanging strops?

When I do get it honed, what kind of grit do I use ?

Bless you for getting into this wonderful hobby at the fresh age of only 19! I waited until I was 49 before I got the bug.

If you,ve been lurking you know to send it out to be honed . Start off right, you can try it but unless it's really shave ready your setting yourself up for failure. Get a good inexpensive strop and then learn how to shave with a straight and learn the stropping , hanging or paddle that is the place to start. Your not ready for honing, besides having it honed will be much cheaper than buying stones. Good luck. Tc

Nice razor, will be a good starting point. Lots of good advice here. What I can add to this is take it slow, learn as much as you can and enjoy the experience. If you try to rush things or do too much before you know what you are doing it will not be as enjoyable. Welcome to SRP and have fun learning.

You sort of confused everyone with the way you worded your questions...

You bought a used Dovo from Craigslist.. Did the seller say SPECIFICALLY that it was sold as shave ready, if not then it probably is NOT shave ready and needs to be honed ...

The best way to tell is to try a test shave

http://straightrazorpalace.com/video...-test-vid.html


That is as simple as it can get, watch it a few times and try

I bought it brand new. The razor has never been used

Originally Posted by valsammarone

I bought it brand new. The razor has never been used

Then start with this old thread

http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...tml#post908878


Again the Shave Test will tell the story in the end

Originally Posted by valsammarone

I bought it brand new. The razor has never been used

Well then it will have the factory edge on it and shaving with it will be less than pleasant. Send it out to be honed.
While you are waiting for it to return, you can spend your time reading the Library and practicing stropping.

And Welcome to SRP!

So many questions. Yes it most likely needs honing or at least refreshing. Don't try to hone yourself it takes practice and you are far more likely to do damage than good. After getting a razor pro honed don't strop so you know what shave ready feels like. Pastes at this point aren't necessarily and until you have mastered stropping may do damage. There is no best kind as a beginner but one that has replacement parts us a good idea. Paddles can be easier to learn on as there are less variables. As for honing start with a shave ready razor and just do touch ups with a high grit stone to start and work from there. If you do want to learn get a decent cheap razor and learn on that. It will take some practice and you will likely have a few false starts so you don't want it to be the razor you use daily. Good luck