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

DOVO - Masterpieces in steel - Interesting facts -

Whoa. I just read this on Dovo's FAQ. I've already read up on the whole "resting" thing, but how can the common knowledge here, be SO different than what the manufacturer suggests? To wit:

"1. How do I look after the straight razor?
The straight razor must be properly looked after in order to ensure the maintenance and long life of this traditional men's accessory. While straight razors made of stainless steel are less demanding, other razors have to be rinsed with clear water and thoroughly dried after each use. When not in use for longer periods, it is recommended that the razor be rubbed with light oil. Likewise, the razor should not be stored in a damp and unaired state. There is no generally valid rule for the whetting (stropping) of straight razors; in many cases, it is sufficient to draw the razor lightly over the ball of the thumb, especially when it has been left unused for several days between shaves. Wet shavers of the old school know that the facet (blade) "grows", i.e. the microscopically discernible and extremely fine "fin" on the cutting edge changes during the shave but returns to its old position afterwards; it stretches and again becomes extremely fine. Nevertheless, this fine "fin" will still wear away at some stage and a suitable strop should then be bought.
There is no common rule for sharpening of razors; sometimes it is sufficient to sharpen it at the ball of the thumb, especially if the razor is not used for several days. People, who often use razors, know: the cutting edge is growing, meaning that the very fine burr on the cutting edge (which can be seen under the microscope) changes whenever the razor is used, but it finally goes back to its old position and will become very fine again. Nevertheless the burr will wear out after a certain period of time, and then the suitable razor strop should be bought."

"5. The straight razor I bought a short time ago no longer shaves properly. Do I have to whet it, and how often is this necessary?
DOVO straight razors are whetted in the factory for use (whetting on leather by hand). If you own a suitable strop, you should nevertheless take into account that the razor must first "rest" after use. After the razor has been carefully rinsed and dried, it should not be used again for at least 24 - 48 hours because the fine "fin" on the cutting edge straightens up again extremely slowly. If the razor is stropped too soon (or stropped incorrectly by moving it backwards and forwards without turning it over), the "fin" which is necessary for a close shave breaks off. Between six and fifteen shaves are possible without stropping in between." (emphasis mine)

Wow. First, I typically fabric strop my carbon razor 30 laps after shaving, to dry it, and heat it to further dry the small grooves, etc., that the cloth can't reach. Just to prevent corrosion. Then I strop it 30 laps on the bridle leather, to save me time on my next shave, where I do it another couple fabrics, and then 30 more on the leather.

According to my first bolded quote, I am ruining the "fin"? It stretches and straightens for a lengthy period after I have shaved?

And the second emphasis I added. THAT certainly, pardon the pun, goes against the grain of what I have read here. Six to Fifteen shaves without stropping? Are we doing it wrong?!

There are plenty of threads on this subject. I strop 10 or so laps after a shave to remove soap and help dry and clean the edge, seems to work.

Originally Posted by Grazor

There are plenty of threads on this subject. I strop 10 or so laps after a shave to remove soap and help dry and clean the edge, seems to work.

Agreed, and I've read quite a few, albeit likely not all. I think the thing that stuns me most, is the "6-15 shaves before stropping"?

Originally Posted by Moueix

Agreed, and I've read quite a few, albeit likely not all. I think the thing that stuns me most, is the "6-15 shaves before stropping"?

The "stropping incorrectly" part is certainly true, don't ask me how I know...
My youngest son went 4 or 5 shaves before stropping for the first time, so maybe it is possible.
What I can say is once you get it right you can maintain your razor for a long time with just leather, have a couple with well over 70 shaves on them now.

If I'm not mistaken, Dovo gave different advise some time back. I think some new age shaver, not of the old school, has rewritten their advice/help page. This advice is useless for a daily shaver and is geared more towards theory, not practice.
Stay in the real world and just do what works for you!

I rinse my razor under water and dry it well. Strop 5-10 times on linen and leather and return it to my rotation of seven razors. Never a problem.

As grazor said, there are a pile of threads about this topic already.
I don't feel that the advice is particularly sound but it might be interesting for someone (not me) to try it.

Personally I would just follow their instructions to the letter, and prove it to yourself, then down the line when this question comes back around you can answer it from experience with conviction

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

I stopped reading their BS when it said it was honed shave ready at the factory...
Somebody with a full beard that hasn't shaved in 50 years wrote those "helpful" instructions.

That is why you can't put much faith in Dovo,s instructions, they claim the razor they just sold you is shave ready! Plus let's think about it, why did a barber need a strop during the day? He could have just shaved a few people before wasting his time on stropping, I've done the test, I skipped the linen for a bit and then even skipped the leather a couple times ( left strop at home). The shave was not up to par. YMMV. Tc