Tried my new razor.

Took delivery of a Dovo Bismarck yesterday,and what a beautiful thing it is too! Looks good,the feel when opening,the weight and the way it sits in the hand is just right for me as a newbie to straight razor shaving.
The Dovo is to replace the e-bay special I've been using since I started a few months ago.So Iset to work on the three day beard I'd grown to break in this razor,and see how it compared with my old one.I was in two minds whether to strop right away,but decided to try straight from the box first after popping a few hairs off my arm.Started on my right side,and first impression was It's not much better than my cheap old razor,but thought It could be my technique.I gave It a light strop and started on my left side,and bingo!! It was shaving beautifully,when I was done I felt It was the best shave I'd ever had!
I need to get my technique right though as I still have trouble underneath the jaw line on the sides where I feel I need to shave across the grain or better still against It,and also have some trouble seeing what I'm doing when doing the side burns.
Sorry for the long post,but I'm so impressed with my new and what for me Is an expensive razor

Congratulations on a very fine razor, I'm sure it will prpvide lots of nice comfortable shaves.
Thanks for sharing, we love to hear razor success stories. Enjoy!

Sounds like a fine debut for that Dovo.
You are quite right, the required technique takes a bit of time to find.
I'd suggest not doing any ATG's yet. work on mastering the WTG.
After a while you might actually find that the ATG isn't all that necessary anyway.

Keep us posted on your progress:)

This is also a razor that I am pineing for! Keep practicing under the jaw line, I too have had trouble with that area. It is very important to make sure your pre shave procedure is good to soften your beard before you shave. I started using a pre shave oil. You can find Shave Secret in most any Walmart and use 5 drops on a just cleaned face and it will help. I also use a shave soap with olive oil infused in it. The blade glides through your beard and reduces razor burn. I too feel the need to go ATG with that area under my jaw line to get that smooth shave. Your very close man! What color scales did you get on your Bizmark? Good stuff!

I went for the red Bismarck,so with gold blade with file work down the spine and a square of imitation mother of pearl on one scale It looks damned good.
Think I'll try some oil as I've quite sensitive skin and can only help.As for under the jaw line,the bristles there seem to be thicker/stronger there and the grain runs from my left ear to the right and need more passes than my face,even when streching the skin over my jaw........anyway I'm looking forward to my next shave:)

My first razor was a Red Bismarck, They are great shavers. Congrats...The more you shave, the better you'll be able to see and negotiate your face...It just takes some practice.....

Good Job....

The red is what I'm looking at also! I need to sell a couple first and get a bit saved up, but that one is my goal! Glad to hear that it's a nice shaver as well!

Tommo congrats on the new razor..I hope you and the Bismark have a long and comfortable relationship....

congrats on the new razor. good luck with it!

Right On Dude!!!

I went with the Boker as my first expensive razor, but have been pinning for the Dovo's ever since too.

I have about 17 razors now (I know, run away RAD), and not a dovo in the bunch. That will change however!!!

Also, I have the same grain on my neck, I have finally worked out a good XTG pattern, but I can only do AGT in a few places. BBS is still a few more shaves away for me, but I get closer all the time, and the razor I use is important.

I have my Boker, which does great, IF you strop it a lot (I mean 50/100 at least, then it shaves well) but my fav is an old Kerry-Gow german 4/8" that is smooth as butter on my face. I can go every direction and not cut myself. Of course, my technique is also still growing, but it improves every shave.

Don't get overconfident, take it slow, keep it well stropped (most important for a great smooth shave) and practice technique. Every time I've had a bad shave, it was my fault, even tho I wish I could blame the razor.

Who honed yours?? Where did you buy it? Did you get it from Lynn?? The curious want to know!!

Best of luck to you mate!! Keep it up... :)

HammeR