New guy wondering about blade resting

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11-23-2011, 09:47 AM
shinyribs

New guy wondering about blade resting

I just got my first straight blade,I have been using a disposable blade straight for the last 3 weeks.I enjoyed to disposable type,but it is no comparison to the Dovo!My concern is about blade resting.I shave every night and if I have to use my disposable while my Dovo rests this is gonna suck!So whats is the real deal with resting the blade?It seems hard for me to believe that "back in the day" guys had to own two razors???Or is this just part of the romance of str8 shaving?You know,sometimes people get carried away
11-23-2011, 09:57 AM
Blix

It's an idiotic myth, your Dovo doesn't need rest, use it everyday for sure!
11-23-2011, 10:24 AM
Wintchase

You need one for every day of the year.....THat is what I told my wife.....She didn't believe me either..
11-23-2011, 10:36 AM
Johnus

How do you feel if you don't get a chance to rest?? Why do you think razors came in 7 packs with each labeled a day of the week?
More important you need to have your Brush rest. ROTATION one of the keys to good shaving!
Yes. And you need to pair the blade, to a brush, to a SOAP!
Yes... You can rest on the 7th.
11-23-2011, 10:56 AM
shinyribs

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blix

It's an idiotic myth, your Dovo doesn't need rest, use it everyday for sure!

Thanks.I was hoping so.Much appreciate the reply
11-23-2011, 11:13 AM
pmburk

Quote:

Originally Posted by shinyribs

I just got my first straight blade,I have been using a disposable blade straight for the last 3 weeks.I enjoyed to disposable type,but it is no comparison to the Dovo!My concern is about blade resting.I shave every night and if I have to use my disposable while my Dovo rests this is gonna suck!So whats is the real deal with resting the blade?It seems hard for me to believe that "back in the day" guys had to own two razors???Or is this just part of the romance of str8 shaving?You know,sometimes people get carried away

You can use the Dovo everyday as long as you take care of it. There is a gold mine of information in the forum's Wiki and throughout this forum on razor care to keep your Dovo happy and healthy. But the basics of care is stropping and making sure it is cleaned and dry to prevent rust.

If you find that you really like SR shaving, then you'll want to acquire more razors and start up a rotation/collection. What's nice about owning multiple razors is that they have their own "personalities" and feel. Well that's based on my personal experiences of owning multiple razors. Another advantage of starting a rotation is that the time before a razor gets rehoned/touched up is extended.

I started out like you, I SR shave everyday with one Dovo BQ 6/8 then I acquired more razors. Now I have 8 in my rotation with two more to be added.

Nevertheless, if you are content with just using one straight and understand that after so many shaves the edge will need to be rehoned or touched up, you'll need to either send it to a honing service or learn to hone it yourself. Then you are without a razor for a short period of time, but that is your call and your wallet.

As for resting a staright razor, in my opinion, nah, they are tough (well to a point (no pun)) enough to use everyday as long as you take good care of it. Again, I used my Dovo everyday, I have a beard that can get so tough, a cartridge or disposable will only last 2 shaves. No knock on the cartridge or disposable razors, my beard always "destroyed" their edges. That Dovo is a workhorse, now I have 8 going on 10 workhorses of razors that can really tackle my face forest.

I'm sure other members will either differ, agree, and add more to this topic.

Good luck and happy shaving!!
11-23-2011, 11:19 AM
ace

I've used one blade for 50 successive daily shaves. It seemed to get all the rest it needed when it went to sleep during the night.
11-23-2011, 11:21 AM
shinyribs

PMBurk,Your beard sounds about like mine.I can get two shaves out of a cartridge with plenty of hot water.If i dont practically scald myself first,a cartridge barely shaves my face once before tugging and pulling.I do have a hone and would love to know how to use it.I actually bought it on a whim out of an antique shop just because i liked the looks of it.It just got the gears to turning ,you know.It's a Raven,if that means anything at all.I have to admit,the Dovo is a little cheap looking thing.I was kinda disappointed in that.I dont know what I was expecting,but a flimsy plastic handle I was not.I wonder if I got e-screwed ,since it came from the "bay",and if it is a Dovo at all.
11-23-2011, 11:46 AM
pmburk

Quote:

Originally Posted by shinyribs

PMBurk,Your beard sounds about like mine.I can get two shaves out of a cartridge with plenty of hot water.If i dont practically scald myself first,a cartridge barely shaves my face once before tugging and pulling.I do have a hone and would love to know how to use it.I actually bought it on a whim out of an antique shop just because i liked the looks of it.It just got the gears to turning ,you know.It's a Raven,if that means anything at all.I have to admit,the Dovo is a little cheap looking thing.I was kinda disappointed in that.I dont know what I was expecting,but a flimsy plastic handle I was not.I wonder if I got e-screwed ,since it came from the "bay",and if it is a Dovo at all.

Check your PM.
11-23-2011, 04:58 PM
shinyribs

PM checked.Gotcha.Thank ya!
11-23-2011, 09:03 PM
regularjoe

Agreed. Bogus. Shave with it til it doesn't shave well, then take a thousandth of metal off the edge and shave with it til it doesn't shave well, repeat...It'll still outlive you. Disclaimer: I've only got 3 months experience in any of this.

PS:My razor gets no rest, and it hasn't need anything yet besides a daily stropping.
11-25-2011, 05:34 AM
shinyribs

Sounds good.Thanks for the replies!I dont need a second razor after all...great!
11-28-2011, 07:32 PM
Gammaray

Agree with the other comments. This is a myth created to sell you more razors! Two brushes are probably more important than multiple razors to make sure they are dry before the next use. It makes you wonder how the old barbers shave several faces per day with one razor. They barely stropped between shaves. Touch up with a coticule and shave some more.
11-29-2011, 01:25 AM
shinyribs

HAHA Good point!
11-29-2011, 09:11 PM
tomnat

Quote:

Originally Posted by shinyribs

I dont need a second razor after all...great!

This may be true, but before too long you are going to want a second razor...........then a third...........a fourth..........mmmwwwwwaaaahhhhhh
11-30-2011, 12:06 AM
shinyribs

Uhm...very true. picked up two more this pat friday!Makes for a total of four if you count the disposable blade one
11-30-2011, 12:47 AM
ace

That's great! Now your razors can be well-rested!
12-17-2011, 06:04 AM
Havachat45

I was going though some stuff here at home and found a Dovo Instruction sheet.
Below is an exerpt

Quote:

People, who often use razors know: the cutting edge is ‘growing’ meaning that the very fine burr on the cutting edge (which can be seen under a microscope) changes whenever the razor is used. Therefore, after each shave it is recommended that the blade is rested for 48 hours prior to the next shave. Within 48 hours the blade finally goes back to its old position and will become very fine again. The blade should be slightly stropped prior to the next use.
12-17-2011, 06:45 AM
dewey81

Sweet. I thought I seen my razor moving the other day after shaved with it. I thought I was crazy but this proves it, ITS ALIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVE!!!
12-17-2011, 09:48 AM
Blix

Quote:

Originally Posted by Havachat45

I was going though some stuff here at home and found a Dovo Instruction sheet.
Below is an exerpt

Hehe, I'd say Dovo is responsible for this bullshit myth, they just want you to buy more straights. :)
12-17-2011, 09:54 AM
mcgyver74

Quote:

Originally Posted by Havachat45

I was going though some stuff here at home and found a Dovo Instruction sheet.
Below is an exerpt

That sounds more like marketing propaganda to sell more razors to me, but then again I'm not an expert nor do I play one on TV :)
12-17-2011, 10:18 AM
osdset

Quote:

Originally Posted by Havachat45

I was going though some stuff here at home and found a Dovo Instruction sheet.
Below is an exerpt

What a load of BS, the cutting edge is 'growing' only if the razor is in a bag of fertiliser, 'the very fine burr on the cutting edge changes whenever the razor is used' yeah it gets gradually blunt.
In all my 40 odd years of using and sharpening edged tools not once has any improvement been apparent due to lack of use, a razor is no different it's just got a much finer edge.
I can imagine the sort of comments I would get if I said to customers "sorry I can't work on your project today as my chisels, and plane irons are resting".
It's a marketing gimmick plain and simple
12-17-2011, 08:34 PM
Havachat45

Quote:

Originally Posted by osdset

What a load of BS, the cutting edge is 'growing' only if the razor is in a bag of fertiliser, 'the very fine burr on the cutting edge changes whenever the razor is used' yeah it gets gradually blunt.
In all my 40 odd years of using and sharpening edged tools not once has any improvement been apparent due to lack of use, a razor is no different it's just got a much finer edge.
I can imagine the sort of comments I would get if I said to customers "sorry I can't work on your project today as my chisels, and plane irons are resting".
It's a marketing gimmick plain and simple

You'll get no arguement from me on that one - FWIW it's not the only place I've seen this BS - a lot of sites actually perpetuate the myth.
I'm sure Dovo didn't start it, however, you'd think with their experience, they wouldn't put it on their letterhead.
AFAIK if there is a 'burr' on the edge of your razor it is overhoned - I may be wrong.