Thread: According to Dovo, I'm doing it ALL wrong...

Originally Posted by gssixgun

There is zero jest in that post...

When in doubt try it yourself, and learn for yourself...
better yet with owning a scope you can document the deterioration after each shave, and the resting period repair...

There are quite a few of these experiments of course already on here but the more data points the better

Oddly enough TI also has some odd thoughts on razor care which I have copied to a file someplace and will post as soon as I can find them

\

Inquiring minds, There are far too few in this world.. I love to stand on the shoulders of giants, but first I must graduate to navel position.

Originally Posted by Grazor

Will be interesting to see results. It is all very subjective though, depending how many shaves you have completed and how competent you are. The only true test is the shave test, observing the edge through a 370x microscope will most likely look like you are about to shave with a bandsaw...

The images I've seen of comprehensive blade studies, are WELL beyond 370x magnification. Best that 370x can accomplish, is reflecting the mirrored edge plus "scars" from less than successful atom splitting. I have no idea what magnification I'm looking at when looking at the micron views I've seen, but it is WAY more than 370x.

Originally Posted by Moueix

The images I've seen of comprehensive blade studies, are WELL beyond 370x magnification. Best that 370x can accomplish, is reflecting the mirrored edge plus "scars" from less than successful atom splitting. I have no idea what magnification I'm looking at when looking at the micron views I've seen, but it is WAY more than 370x.

Well, best of luck with that. If you manage to split an atom, no doubt I will hear it from here. Anything you can view above that is irrelevant, after all it is only shaving.

Originally Posted by Moueix

You jest, but I AM going to try it. Well, not the stropping on my thumb part. There's a difference between curiosity, and stupidity. That part alone, somewhat makes the entire FAQ suspect, in my eyes. But who knows?! I've been collecting and enjoying fine wines for 35 years. I've seen a lot of "old wives tales" both debunked, and confirmed.

The only issue you will have is if your stropping is up to par. Most do t really improve their edge in the beginning and really after a few months their just starting to get there. So if you nature is to test, you might want to get them stropped by an experienced user. Not saying your stropping ain't good, but most at your level is not. Good luck. Tc
Oh and by the way I know when someone is peeing on my back, versus rain.

I tried shaving a few times in a row without stropping to see how it went...and it was not good! As mentioned, there are lots of threads on this topic. I was curious so I tried varying my stropping routine and material and also the above mentioned skipping stropping. The best advice I can give you is to experiment and see what works best for your razor and your face

Originally Posted by gssixgun

But yes most of us have found that stropping before a shave yields a better result

Yep! A gazillion barbers over the past couple hundred years can't be all wrong.

I've done this. When I first started, I had not found this site. I got to around 8-10 shaves with out stropping on a "Factory Shave Ready" edge. I was pretty frustrated, until I educated myself on this site. I am a man of many words, but to describe what that felt like would require utilizing parts of the English language that would get me banned in 1 post. Possibly even shot. The only non-curse words would be "spice grater." Suffice it to say, this is not something I recommend.

Got back from Daytona Bike week yesterday to find my new "factory shave ready" Dovo Encina AND factory shave ready Boker Tree Brand Inox in my mail pile. Put them under the 'scope and compared the pics of the edges with those of the SRD Lynn Abrams honed Pearlex I took when I got that in.

TOTAL agreement. Vast difference in the edges. BOTH brands look to have been wheel honed, and the edges might shave, but as jagged as they were, I wasn't going to try em. Did about 20 circles a side on a Hard Arkansas Opaque and then about 10 X laps on that 2" x 6" stone with both of em. Hit em with 7 laps on a Crox pasted hard pressed wool strop, then gave them both 30 laps on wool, and 60 laps on English Bridle. Shaved one side with the 6/8 Encina, the other side of my face with the 5/8 Inox Boker. Indistinguishable between the two for comfort and closeness, and the best darn shave I have gotten yet. Had to touch up a couple spots with an XTG but that was it. Super smooth.

So yeah, Factory Shave Ready isn't something I'm EVER going to try, but it IS a terrific beginning looking for just a proper finishing touch. Was no big deal to get em wicked.

Originally Posted by Brenngun

Yep! A gazillion barbers over the past couple hundred years can't be all wrong.

I do the same. 30 strokes on the felt and 60 strokes on the leather before every shave.

Just received a Dovo Bismarck that said in the instructions daily stropping will keep you new razor shaving for months.