WHICH ONE

I don't usually recommend items, but this is a "no-brainer":

The Dovo would be your choice. The Wapi has the metal scales. Most of us replace the scales with a material which is lighter, thus providing a much better balanced instrument. You will want to do this, and that would be an extra expense plus your time and energy.

The Dovo through Straight Razor Designs will come shave ready. This is a big one. You will need to get your razor sharpened by one of the honmeisters, which will cost at least $20.00 plus the trouble and the time to wait for it's return..

You may, also say the Dovo could be a better shaver. I realize that is a subjective thing to say, but at the least, the Dovo would also carry a better resale value........

Enough said,

The Dovo!

* I would not recommend the Dovo Strop. Check out Tony Miller's strops at The Well Shaved Gentleman. Most everybody here knows that his strops are your best buy for the product.

Greetings. I have been recommending the Dovo ever since I tried one. It does come as a half hollow, too, which would be my personal choice. But the blade has a massive ridge, and is therefore quite stiff.

Cannot go wrong with a Dovo strop, either, really. Only, it sounds as though Tony Miller's strops would offer a markedly better value for money, and Dovo's (very pretty and all that) Russian strops tend to bulge when pulled too tight.

As far as soaps/creams are concerned, you really should try and get samples. You probably cannot go wrong with the usual suspects (CF, AOS, TGQ, GFT...), but at the end, you skin will differ from that of most other people, making predictions and recommendations prone to be misleading.

I love my Wapi, purchased from RupRazor, but the scales do take some time to get used to. Despite the heavy scales I do perfer shaving with the Wapi to my other razor a Giesen and Forstoff (5/8 full hollow).

The nice thing about straight razors and forum members with RAD is that if ever you purchase a razor your not particularily fond of you can sell it and recoup most of your money. Of course the problem with RAD is that it's an aquisition disorder which makes it hard to give up even a less than ideal razor :gaah:.

They're both from good, dependable sellers. Both members here. They're both good razors. It's down to your personal choice really. I've heard the Wapi's are a shaving tool. Dovo's are a very nice razor. Personally, i'd get the Dovo. Which seller is up to you. They both sell all their razors shave ready.

Oh, & remember that customs taxes may apply from the States.

i would have to go with the dovo. my first razor was a dovo and they mke some quality blades and i have heard so many good things about tonys strops there is no doubt they are some of the best made. dont forget you will also need a badger brush and some shave soap :gl:

thanks everyone , a bit more thinking involed tonight , i have had a look at a wapi with wood scales thats in my price range would that be better , is of one of the above member shops.

thanks for the tip on the strops ill have a look at them . ill keep you all posted

The Wapi is a lovely blade, I'm one of the apparent minority who doesn't mind the steel scales either. I don't know Dovos but the Wapi stands up well against my much pricier Thiers Issard. Tony Miller's strops are the biz.

I'm sure either blade will treat you nicely. I've shaved with a few Dovos and have a Wapi in my rotation.

As for soaps, I'll give you the same advice I give everyone.

Worship at the feet of The Mistress!

Shaving, Bath and Body, Skincare, Home Fragrance, Brushes, Creams, Soaps

You're welcome,

X

As for the strop, the Dovo Best Russian strop is fantastic, albeit
a bit pricey. I have yet to try the new SRD strops.

- Scott

I'll take a different path than some and say take the wapi. This will let you save some money for honing charges, badger brushes etc. while still getting you a good razor. Also, I find that I'm not a fan of the full hollows.

As you see you'll get votes for both of them. Don't worry too much, pick whichever. You may end up preferring one or the other, but the only way to know is to try both. And that is after you are fairly proficient with a razor. Kind of a catch-22.

thanks all , have now brought the wapi and dovo strop be here some time next week , can't wait now going to do some lookin around at soaps and creams.
thanks again all

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by stan0045

thanks all , have now brought the wapi and dovo strop be here some time next week , can't wait now going to do some lookin around at soaps and creams.
thanks again all

---

Be sure to keep us posted when you get your stuff!:gl:

just got my wapi today , going to use it at the weekend ill keep you all posted