Thread: Dovo Bismarck 6/8

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 Haroldg48

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.

I'm quoting myself here from an earlier post I made in this thread (underlining added), which I ordinarily wouldn't do (I'm not an egomaniac), but you are going to find that as I and others said, factory shave ready isn't shave ready. My guess is your next post will be about an uncomfortable shave.

Now please take my advice and send it to Lynn or somebody reputable from the classifieds to have it honed to shave ready. It will cost $25 dollars or so plus postage and a couple of weeks "in your hand", but otherwise you will be taking a risk of having it ruined by someone (a knife store or honer) who "thinks" they know what they're doing. Then after you use it for a few months you'll be sending it again for another $25 + postage after you degrade the edge. That all could have been done for free included in the price from SRD, but...

The reputation of Lynn precedes him but I am writing from Europe so it is not that practical to send my SR to the USA for honing. Having said that my next SR will be purchased from SRD since even with postage I find his prices competitive.

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