Thread: Can anyone tell me why?

I have used straights for many years...Just bought two exceptional quality DOVO's.
I also purchased a cheap (replaceable blade) straight that uses hair shaper blades. This was to travel as I don,t want to carry a 200 dollar razor. The replaceable blade gives more cuts and nicks BUT it shaves a LOT
closer than the fine German ones. I have tough beard and have to make many passes with DOVO's.
Only thing I can think of is that the edge on the replaceable is not as thin as the fine quality razors. The same pressure gives a closer shave, but usually gives cuts also. For prep, I use 5 drops shave oil after hot shower, then about 2-3 minutes with a brush. Can anyone here give me suggestions to getting more out of the DOVO'S? They are indeed sharp but I must make 2 or 3 passes and still don't get as close as hair shaper
straight razor with fifty cent blade...Any suggestions would be appreciated.. Thanks.....

I think its generally accepted that traditional straights are not going to be as sharp as machine made disposable blade. That's not to say you can't get as close and more comfy shave with the traditional.

What are you honing the Dovos with? I'll let more experienced honers address this.

Jordan

I think the answer is replaceable blades are a lot sharper. They're also made of a very different stainless steel than stainless steel razors. Yours may even be carbon steel DOVOs.

You may not like what I'm going to say but the fact is you should be able to get as close a shave with a straight as with a disposable. We've argued this point many times here and I don't think the issue of whether a disposable is sharper than a straight has really been proven. Out of the wrapper its probably sharper than many straights people use but if you just don't get a close shave with a straight without using many strokes I would say your honing technique may need some attention. I know you said you've been shaving for years with a straight but that doesn't guarantee properly honed razors. In the golden age of straights when everyone used them many used straights that were on the dull side and just put up with it. Sorry.

+1 bigspendur

I have been shaving with a straight for about 7 years now and once i started doing everything properly ie. honing, stropping, shave prep, and actual shaving technique, it is the only method i have used that causes no razor burn. I have tried many methods from DEs to electrics and Mach 3s and none of them even compare to the level of closeness and comfort that the straight razor has provided me. One thing that i discovered along the way is that i was still getting razor burn with straights and it turned out that my skin has a reaction to the traditional shaving soaps, so i tried different ones such as Classic shavings gold soap cakes and boom no razor burn. So i would say just keep at it and work on perfecting one thing at a time and try as many products as is monetarily feasible for you and it should all fall into place.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

You may not like what I'm going to say but the fact is you should be able to get as close a shave with a straight as with a disposable. We've argued this point many times here and I don't think the issue of whether a disposable is sharper than a straight has really been proven. Out of the wrapper its probably sharper than many straights people use but if you just don't get a close shave with a straight without using many strokes I would say your honing technique may need some attention. I know you said you've been shaving for years with a straight but that doesn't guarantee properly honed razors. In the golden age of straights when everyone used them many used straights that were on the dull side and just put up with it. Sorry.

I totaly agree!

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

You may not like what I'm going to say but the fact is you should be able to get as close a shave with a straight as with a disposable. We've argued this point many times here and I don't think the issue of whether a disposable is sharper than a straight has really been proven. Out of the wrapper its probably sharper than many straights people use but if you just don't get a close shave with a straight without using many strokes I would say your honing technique may need some attention. I know you said you've been shaving for years with a straight but that doesn't guarantee properly honed razors. In the golden age of straights when everyone used them many used straights that were on the dull side and just put up with it. Sorry.

Thanks for your input..... I strop before each use, but never honed...Afraid I would screw the edge up....When it gets bad, it goes to a pro. Not dulling on strop as I am fairly careful...I suppose my technique may need some honing!
Thanks for your reply.....

Originally Posted by BULLWINKLE

Can anyone here give me suggestions to getting more out of the DOVO'S?

Can you tell us something about how you hone those Dovo's?
Maybe a few minor tweaks in you honing habits can make a big change for you.
I believe a straight could be as sharp, or even sharper than a regular DE-blade, but you can't push a straight into your face, as you can with a DE, and even for that reason alone, shaving technique with a straight calls for much more precision.


EDIT: upon rereading this thread, I noticed that you don't hone, only strop.
I think that answer to your question lies in learning how to hone. Guess you figured that out already.

Good luck,

Bart.

Originally Posted by Kees

I think the answer is replaceable blades are a lot sharper. They're also made of a very different stainless steel than stainless steel razors. Yours may even be carbon steel DOVOs.

so r u saying that stainless gets sharper than carbon steel???
harley

You just need to be careful when you say stainless steel. Stainless is just a generic term that covers everything between true nickel steel and true chrome steel. Most stainless in straights is about as far from middle of the road stainless as you can get while kitchen knives are more closely akin to truer stainless. My impression has always been that carbon steel is sharper than stainless but thats with kitchen knives and I know we have some chefs here so maybe they can provide an expert viewpoint on this. As far as straights go I don't think one is sharper than the other. Carbon will be harder though.