Thread: Dovo Bismarck 6/8

Originally Posted by Icarusflies

Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it.

What Dovo razor would you recommend or better said, what characteristics should I look for in a straight razor.

Icaruflies,

Choose a Dovo, Thiers-Issard, Boker or Ralf Aust in a 5/8 or 6/8 blade with round point and standard shank. Also, don't forget that the scales are secondary to blade quality. Not only that, but make sure the razor comes to you shave ready. If I were to recommend one of the razors mentioned above over the others, it would be Ralf Aust. Start with the 5/8; I have that razor and it's a sweet one. Also, buy a quality 3" strop and learn to strop well.

Including stropping and lathering the soap, I can get away with a pretty decent 2 pass shave in about 15 to 20 mins. I'm usually in there for about an hour though chasing that BBS. But after the 2 passes, no one can tell the difference. Not unless they are rub on my face. But I'm still in my learning phase though. I'm still trying to map out my most efficient shaving route.

Thank you all for the feedback!!!

Would you say than a wood handle would be significantly harder to maintain than a plastic one as I think the Bismarck has.

Thanks

No, I wouldn't say that. I don't think there is any difference with a modern well finished wooden handle. I have both. No Difference.

Originally Posted by Icarusflies

Would you say than a wood handle would be significantly harder to maintain than a plastic one as I think the Bismarck has.

Thanks

Look at the Classifieds . There are a couple of beauties that just showed up there! http://straightrazorpalace.com/class...wcat.php?cat=3

Originally Posted by Icarusflies

Would you say than a wood handle would be significantly harder to maintain than a plastic one as I think the Bismarck has.

Thanks

For your first straight razor, keep it simple. There is plenty of time to explore fancy razors with exotic handles.

I realize I should start with something simple but since I want to see the razor in hand before I purchase it my options are very limited. The simplest, most economical razors that the stores where I am carry are the Bismarck, The Astrus, The black star and the astrale all from Dovo. Then the price jumps 3 folds.

Would it be safe to assume than a Dovo blade is a good blade at any price range and then you are paying for the material of the scales and the aesthetic design of the blade?

I'm not sure where you are, but lots of us had no opportunity to handle the razor we were buying first, so we ordered well known brands from reputable vendors who offered truly shave ready honed razors. Most retail outlets don't do that, and those that say they do often mean they're selling factory edges, which can be (usually) less than good. Dovo is a known manufacturer, but are known to deliver their razors to retailers in a less than true shave ready state.

You need to be comfortable with your purchase, so, taking the advice here, do what you think suits you. What suited me was starting with a Ralf Aust from SRD, which delivers it honed by Lynn Abrams, and includes a free re-honing when it needs it. To me, that was worth the $125 I spent, and the risk of not handling it first. I did the same in a different size for my second and a Lynn honed Boker as my third. A dovo was my 4th Abrams honed razor and it performed like the others, but I paid more for the look and extra hollow grind, singing blade. I now have 11 or 12 after 2 years...all different, many vintage, all loved, some favorites.

Whatever you do, enjoy the adventure.

Originally Posted by Icarusflies

I realize I should start with something simple but since I want to see the razor in hand before I purchase it my options are very limited. The simplest, most economical razors that the stores where I am carry are the Bismarck, The Astrus, The black star and the astrale all from Dovo. Then the price jumps 3 folds.

Would it be safe to assume than a Dovo blade is a good blade at any price range and then you are paying for the material of the scales and the aesthetic design of the blade?

I have two Dovos, one at either end of the "quality" spectrum..aka price spectrum
my first razor was a Dovo Best Quality 5/8 and I also have a Dove Flowing 6/8
I like them both, the 5/8 is now my travel razor and the 6/8 is for special occasions as it
has sentimental value. They are both good blades. However, I enjoy the post shave feel of the 6/8 more and I also find it requires touching up less frequently...but that may also be psychological as I baby it.

To be honest. I would choose to learn on the 5/8 every time. It has served me very well and now that I know my shaving style and what I want out of a blade I can branch out and get those fancy razors I wanted when I started out!
two more things that are important that have not been mentioned

1. Dovo's DO NOT come shave ready from factory. Be sure to get yours honed first....
2. no matter what scales (handle) are on your razor, DO NOT get water on or in them...I did not know that when I learned and that 5/8 best quality is now worse for wear because of it!

hope that helps...good luck man, its a fun ride!

ps. my next "fancy" razor will probably be a Ralf Aust. I've heard a whole lotta good things about them