Thread: Looking for an upgrade, need advice

thanks for the help guys.
I think my plan is as follows:
I am going to set about acquiring an American blade that seems promising, with character (ie not necessarily a mainstream one) for not too much money. Worst comes to worst I can use it for my foray into rescaling. In the mean time I'm gonna look out for a few decently priced DD Specials (and before you laugh at decently priced DDs I'm looking for function, not form). I have an upcoming birthday next month and I was thinking of asking for a new Dovo. What's the low down on those steels? I hear talk of them all the time, but I have trouble distilling it myself. I'm eyeing the Ebony/Silver Steel Model. How does that compare to their other blades? I've also heard banter that they're unreliable, is that well-founded, or is that just the grumblings of die-hard vintage blade fans?
Thanks Again!

Sorry, gonna have to disagree. Too glitzy for me, too much going on. The ebony looks nice though. And the micarta. And the Bergische Loewe, if I had the cash lol.... *drool*

i've had the silver steel ebony and it's alright razor, but it wasn't anywhere close to my better shavers. the buyer loved it though.
i liked the way the dovo micarta shave better. it's significantly more expensive razor though. i've heard opinions of the bergisher lowe from terrible to fantastic.

the only way really is to try and decide for yourself. if you don't like it you can resell it and recover most of the cost. You'll take a bit of a loss on the level of 20-30%, may be more if you can't hone it and make sure that it's shave ready for the next person, but that's how it goes.
Alternatively you can check the classifieds every now for when somebody parts with theirs.

I personally stay away from what is described as a sergical razor. The was a razor designed for cutting samples in a lab. It would be hollow ground on one side, but flat on the other. I believe the do require slightly differnt techneque to use as a shaving razor.
I am lead to believe that other people have had great results from this type of razor, but it is not for me.

Originally Posted by khaos

. And the Bergische Loewe, if I had the cash lol.... *drool*

It's ok...... I have several Spanish point, worked back razors

mostly I like the grind on the Bismarck
we may be looking at the same thing, but seeing different things

I've seen several reviews that point to the Dovo Special as being one of the best new razors for the money. Haven't tried it myself, but I do have the Ebony, and it's a fair shaver. Not as nice as my DD Special or the WB, but decent. Honestly, for $100+ you're better off buying a restored razor from a reputable brand. Classifieds, brother.

Check out the classifieds. Best way to get a good razor at fantastic prices. I wouldn't get hung up over names on the razors. I've got a pretty good representation of brand names (Dovo to Wostenholm) and like them all. I even have a no-name generic razor that gives me a wonderful shave.