New guy with a question about Col. Conk

Hey everybody,

I recently began my quest to learn how to use a straight when I received a Col. Conk razor for my birthday and came upon this place. I've never used one before, but I understand that one should always have quality equipment, no matter what they're doing. However, I couldn't find Col. Ichabod Conk among either list of razor manufacturers that is in the database.
So should I give this thing a shot? Or should I stick to me DE for now and tell my well intentioned friend that I sent it far, far away to be honed??
Any help is appreciated guys.

BTW awesome site you got here.

Col Conk is just a name meaning a retailer. They don't manufacture anything. As I recall their razors are made by Dovo so it should be a quality razor.

Welcome,

I'm not 100% sure, but I think some Col.Conk razors were actually made by DOVO. If this is the case, it's a good razor. Look on the tang, see what it say's. Carbon steel razors are great. The best way is to shave with it. If you've never shaved with a straight razor before, do your homework, check our WIKI here, you'll find it's an excellent source for info. You'll want to be aware of your angle when you shave. If it's not been honed professionally, you may want to have it done. Hopefully, some of the guys that know about these razors will chime in and give you some feedback before you send it out. Check the Vendor's corner and see who's honing razors these days. Shoot them a PM and tell them what you have and get their opinion...Lot's of guys do honing here...
Rich

Thanks alot guys, this will really help me get started. All it says on the tang is "Solingen, made in Germany" over and over, and "Best Quality", but I know from what I've read on the wiki that, that doesn't ensure anything. Thanks again, I'm definitely going to read more into this.

Before you touch your face with that razor be sure to get it honed if its not already!

Pictures would be infinitely helpful. I have a razor that is retailer via Conk, but is manufactured by dovo. It says Best Quality on the blade and has red, translucent scales.

Howdy,

I got this razor as a gift from the "outlaws" and was trying to get more info on it. It's a Col. Ichabod Conk 540B.

The whole package:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/...d2d066df_o.jpg

The Blade:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4031/...6edc33cc_o.jpg

The Tang:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2750/...54dedb5c_o.jpg

Reverse side of Tang:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2552/...3b76a5e3_o.jpg

And box:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4013/...236a614c_o.jpg

I'm brand new at this. I haven't even tried a shave yet (other than my arm), but I've been looking into it for a while. I guess they picked up on my interest and decided to buy me a razor for Christmas... What do you think? I'm going to try it out anyways, I just wanted to see what people thought about this razor.

Thanks and this is a great site. I've been on it and hooked for the past couple of days now. SOO much information.

Thanks again,
Mat
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ember_t...no/4218500902/

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sammy

Thanks alot guys, this will really help me get started. All it says on the tang is "Solingen, made in Germany" over and over, and "Best Quality", but I know from what I've read on the wiki that, that doesn't ensure anything. Thanks again, I'm definitely going to read more into this.

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Sounds like a Dovo Best Quality to me...

Got pictures?


Edit: Saw there were pictures above my post: That is, almost definitely, a Dovo Best Quality. It match the DBQ I own almost exactly, only they have Col. Conk stamped over the tang where mine says DOVO. I think you have a keeper. Definitely. also, if it says Solingougen, that is pretty much always a good sign of quality :D

Edit Edit: Also, the box is the exact same as my DBQ only the stickers have been swapped out

Edit edit edit: (Damn I need to write a list of thoughts before posting a partial thought...) My DBQ came packaged in the exact same wax paper.... What all these edits are to say is that if it that closely resembles a DBQ, it probably is one.

Happy Shaving

The razor is a Dovo, and while the factory claims that the razors come shave-ready, they are, in fact, not shave ready in the real-world sense of the word. True, you can shave with them, but it won't be as comfortable a shave as it should be. My advice is to have it honed by one of the honemeisters here befor trying to shave with it. If you don't have it properly honed, your shaves will not be as good as they should be and you might get turned off to shaving with a straight, and that would be a shame.

now you guys have got me thinking...i have seen the col conk and also i have seen the fromm and both look exactly alike...are they both made by dovo? the fromm i saw had the words printed on the tang rather than stamped. both looked like they could be brought up to speed rather quickly and seem to be made of good metal...

Sammy,
Welcome to SRP... you obviously have a great razor! Now.. you need to read the Wiki on this site and anyother and learn what to do with it. There are videos to view about every aspect of this process.. I'm a beginner too and have only been actually shaving a few weeks... I love it... shaves get better with practice... The experienced guys here are extremely helpful and approachable so don't be afraid to ask questions...

You need to read the list of other items you need. in the begining of this forum.. you can start to acquire these items while you are sending your razor to be honed... you'll need to send your razor to be honed about 2 times a year to keep it sharp... you need to strop your razor before each shave in order to keep the edge sharp and polished enough to give you consistant smooth shaves..honing can come later if you want..but requires quite a few quality stones and lots and lots of practice.

Once you get a sharp razor keeping it sharp is the next key.. that means stroping and it takes a little practice to get it correct....

you need to learn to prepare your beard for shaving... shower... preshave oil or cream... hot towels etc..

On this site is a DVD for begininers and others, offered by the founder Lynn Abrams... it is mentioned at the begining of this forum... I bought it and highly recommed it... you'll shorten your learning curve if you'll get this dvd and watch it several times!

don't go cheap on soaps, creams, oils... the quality stuff gives you better cushion and a more comfortable shave... eventually you can spend as much as you want on a quality brush... in the begining it's better to spend on the other stuff if money is any issue at all...

till you get the skill down you are going to nick your strop. so I wouldn't buy a 100.00 strop in the begining either.

It's fun to shave with a straight... and once you get it down... you can get a closer shave then with any other method...

one more pearl.... use a very light touch when you decide to shave.. no pressure... none... it shouldn't be necessary... if you feel it is... your razor is dull!!

Good Luck! Have fun... happy new year!
Maq

Send it to lynn for a good first honing and you will be in business.

Hi Mat,
I also live in Victoria BC and I am also new to shaving with a straight razor. My Dovo Razor, which I purchased used is in desperate need of sharpening. I am curious, did you ever find a place or person in Victoria BC that does hone razors?
Thanks, Klaus