SRD: Dovo Best Quality Black 5/8" Straight Razor Set

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Just purchased my first Straight Razor from Straight Razor Designs. Pretty excited, anxious and nervous at the same time. I want to be sure to take my time using the suggestions from the Beginner's Guide and other posts I have read here. I don't know why I decided to go Straight Razor. But I am sure I will be glad I did. I'll be using this thread to post my opinions about my journey here. Let me know if there is anything I need to know about the kit I purchased. Should arrive by Wednesday. I included the price here as well for those other beginners who are wondering what it may cost for an entire first kit. Also, if anyone could let me know if I have forgotten to order something that I should have in my repertoire. I know I need to go get some aftershave and I hear quite a few suggestions about alcohol free aftershaves so I will probably go that route.

1 x Dovo Best Quality Black 5/8" Straight Razor Set = $191.49
Your Strop 3" Black Latigo Leather
Your Brush Simpson Beaufort B4 Pure Badger Shaving Brush
Your Mug Black Super Shave Mug
Your Soap Sandalwood
Your Acrylic Brush Stand Black
Your Pinaud Styptic Pencil .33 ounce
World of Straight Razor DVD No Thanks

About the kit: Went with the 5/8" blade for best balance of tang, blade and handle. Didn't want a heavy blade and vice versa for my first razor. Upgraded to the 3" Strop so I don't need to learn too much at the same time. I heard suggestions that a 3" strop is better for beginners so I don't need to learn the X motion as well as how to strop at the same time. Wasn't really sure on what fragrance of soap but was intrigued by the sandalwood. Decided to opt out of the DVD since most of this stuff can be found on YouTube and this forum.

Awesome, a much excellent kit! Personally I love alcohol based aftershaves, I love the burn! :) But I often follow it with balm.

You'll have a great time with this, enjoy!

PS: Don't make the mistake many "noobs" does and start stropping this already shave-ready razor before the first shave.
Shave first! :)

pHluid13,

I have found the Dovo Best to be an excellent razor; they shave well above their price point, and are very easy to maintain the edge.

My Best was the first razor I bought when I re-took up straight razor shaving some three (3) years ago. It is still a favourite in my rotation :)

Good luck !

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

You did well!

That is an excellent kit. I hesitate to use the term "Beginners Kit" because the quality of your kit could be the last razor and strop you need to buy unless you get AD or just want to explore what is out there.

Dovo razors are all fine shavers. I have three and they all are top performers. I have made frequent purchases from SRD. If you ever have any questions or problems, they stand ready to help. SRD is the first place I check for my shaving purchases.

Good Luck and Happy Shaving. You are going to love it.

That looks like the set i ordered, except that i got the buffalo leather, wife said that looked so much better for the bathroom :)

Now i can't wait for it to arrive, hope you like your shaver

Dennis

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So I just received the set this morning. I took everything out of the box and closely inspected everything (especially the blade). I took the advice of not stropping for the first shave. No nicks or cuts the first time. Feeling a very minimal amount of razor burn, but that's about it. I went very slow and remembered each stroke to keep a very light touch. I think all went well the first time. I would say the quality of the shave was along the same lines as a typical 4 blade disposable. I'm not looking for a BBS shave here (as I've heard that kind of shave is a long way off for most, if not all, beginner straight razor shavers). I have merely been intrigued with the idea of straight razor shaving and am more excited that I actually own and will be a straight razor shaver for many days to come. =)

Awesome, seems like you're off to a great start!

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Thought I would post one more pic I took of the razor. Love the look of these things. I actually went back and did an ATG pass and what can I say, WOW!! Now that IS BBS! I only did the cheeks though. I think the first time I was doing it I was just TOO overly careful not to push on my face. I found you have to push a tiny bit toward the skin. And DEFINITELY hold that skin really taught. I think I get it now. It's a light hold against the skin with a motion kinda diagonal toward the skin and up. That was amazing!

Good job, now all you need is more practice. i really like a quote from Alan: little stubble is better than little irritation.
The closeness will come with time as you improve your technique.

CONGRATULATIONS! You're going to love it! I have the Dovo 5/8 and 6/8 and I love the both! I rotate between the two, moreover, the 6/8 is great for heavy beard days. By the way, I bought the same kit except I bought the 6/8, kept the mug and shave soap offered. That 3" strop is great also, I got the same one too.
All my best and wishing you great shaves!
Patrick

Thank you all for the encouragement. I will keep you all posted as to how the next one goes.

Straight Razor Designs really hit some grand slams with that kit. I have read repeatedly in this forum people's praises of it and I am extremely satisfied with mine. What a great way to start out!
Thanks to Lynn Abrams of SRD for offering an awesome straight razor starter kit!

So I've had my approximately 5th or so shave and already I can tell a difference. It definitely pays off to never give up. I'm determined and excited that I've been able to get some pretty smooth shaves since I've started straight razor shaving. I'm trying new techniques each time I shave to find the best angle and pressure. Lather doesn't seem to be a problem. It's pretty creamy and allows for the blade to glide pretty smoothly on my skin. I've resorted to less pressure than I originally stated. I was getting some minor razor burn at first but allowed my skin to rest a day or two in between shaves.

Practice makes perfect for all you users reading for information before you dive into straight razor shaving. Once you try it, you'll be hooked. Just don't give up and continue to try different techniques. There's plenty of info here on this forum as well as YouTube. Watch as many videos as you can and read as much as you can here about shaving techniques and you should have yourself a nice beginning to a fantastic journey with a straight razor. I can't believe that society has strayed from the straight razor. It just a far superior shave than what I grew up with in disposables and electric shaving.

Thats great to hear!
SRD's kit is such a great set-up. Everything you need for years of excellent shaving.
I have the same razor and it too was my first and I'd say my most cherished because of that.
It is still in my regular rotation and gives a sweet shave. As well as yours its been honed by a pro that left it wicked sharp and super comfortable.
It will get better... and better and better as you learn the razor and your face your technique will improve.
Enjoy and keep us updated... you are on your way

I also bought this kit, except I got the 6/8, 2" strop, ivory stand, and sweet patchouli soap. I paid about $168.00 total. Can that really be beat? It's such a great kit.

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Originally Posted by pHluid13

Thank you all for the encouragement. I will keep you all posted as to how the next one goes.

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The next round of fun you'll have is trying different soaps and creams. Uberlathers are really great!

flashback.. I had the same kit before when i started except mine is 6/8, try to get a scuttle next time, but to me warm leather is very addictive. i think you'll love it. warm uberlather on scuttle is awesome.. :)

It is great to hear a success story like yours. Your post will do a lot to encourage others to jump in and give straight shaving a try. It is neither as hard or scary as some people like to portray. Just think; five successful shaves with no tales of bloody trips to the ER.

Congratulations on your superb equipment and great first shaves!

Happy Shaving!
:D

I've been looking in the classifieds for several weeks now and never quite found the right first razor for me. I Googled Dovo 5/8 razor and this thread popped up, I've read all the way through it and decided that I'm going to bypass the used razor route and go all in brand new. I ordered almost a carbon copy of your kit since it seemed like such a great starter kit. Any tips you'd care to share since you've been at it awhile?

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Originally Posted by pHluid13

Attachment 75399

Just purchased my first Straight Razor from Straight Razor Designs. Pretty excited, anxious and nervous at the same time. I want to be sure to take my time using the suggestions from the Beginner's Guide and other posts I have read here. I don't know why I decided to go Straight Razor. But I am sure I will be glad I did. I'll be using this thread to post my opinions about my journey here. Let me know if there is anything I need to know about the kit I purchased. Should arrive by Wednesday. I included the price here as well for those other beginners who are wondering what it may cost for an entire first kit. Also, if anyone could let me know if I have forgotten to order something that I should have in my repertoire. I know I need to go get some aftershave and I hear quite a few suggestions about alcohol free aftershaves so I will probably go that route.

1 x Dovo Best Quality Black 5/8" Straight Razor Set = $191.49
Your Strop 3" Black Latigo Leather
Your Brush Simpson Beaufort B4 Pure Badger Shaving Brush
Your Mug Black Super Shave Mug
Your Soap Sandalwood
Your Acrylic Brush Stand Black
Your Pinaud Styptic Pencil .33 ounce
World of Straight Razor DVD No Thanks

About the kit: Went with the 5/8" blade for best balance of tang, blade and handle. Didn't want a heavy blade and vice versa for my first razor. Upgraded to the 3" Strop so I don't need to learn too much at the same time. I heard suggestions that a 3" strop is better for beginners so I don't need to learn the X motion as well as how to strop at the same time. Wasn't really sure on what fragrance of soap but was intrigued by the sandalwood. Decided to opt out of the DVD since most of this stuff can be found on YouTube and this forum.

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Where on their site do they have the whole set? What I can find id just the blade and strop.

JKRJ

unfortunately, it seems to be OOS.

Should be a pretty good starter kit, and no need to upgrade later if you don't want to. (Of course, this won't happen. You'll be sure to get RAD like the rest of us!) :)

You can't go wrong with SRD :rock:

Sure bet Dovo "Best Quality". It was my first blade, which I got from SRD.

Well I read the thread from the owner of the site. I hate reading.

It was easy to grasp. I did as suggested and just did my cheek/sideburn areas.

At first I held the razor in the wrong direction and it just wiped away the shaving cream.

Then I realized it did not even cut anything.

Once I turned it the other direction I felt the difference!

That was much scarier but I felt I got a feeling for it after about 3 tries with new cream.

Still nervous but not anxious now.

I will probably try for a month on my face until I get good before I even try parts of my head!

Thanks for all the advise!

JKRJ

Nice gear! Congrats. :rock:

Well I was able to shave my face with minimum problems.

So I tried the easy parts of my head. Funny thing is that my head is easier to shave than my face.

Used a regular blade to cut the back of my head for now!

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Got one good nick.....but it was a bump that I could not see under the cream.

Actually no pain in the cut....... looked bad but it was not too bad at all.

I just need to get good at making it a closer shave....... I know I can go against the grain after going with the grain I just am not comfortable yet with that!

Cheers!

JKRJ