Thread: New razor Dilema.

Hi,

I have been reading quite a bit on this forum for the last few weeks and would like to say it is a great place and thanks for all the seasoned input; it has helped me a lot. I recently started shaving with a straight and I really like it, have been getting decent results from the "sight unseen" deal I got from the whipped dog. I think I like it enough to want to upgrade to a quality razor soon, one I can own for a very long time. I have my eyes set on either the Dovo Diamant or the Dovo Bismarck right now. I would prefer the Diamant, however, my only concern is if the black finish will fade and wear off the blade over time (ie, using it, stroping it, honing it etc.) If so, I might be more inclined to get the Bismarck. Have any of you heard of people having this potential problem? Any advice you can shed would be great. I am also open to suggestions of other razors in that price range ($120-160, I also need to look at a proper brush too).

Thanks in advance.

What brand of razor do you already have?
$120.00 will get you a finisher & a good strop.

At that price point either would be a fine choice. You could also look in the classifieds, $160 would buy you a very nice vintage piece.

I am unsure of what I have now. It says "Challenge Cutlery New York" on the blade, near the pivot. Here is a picture. Also another question, it seems as if this straight is a little bit small, are they all of comparable size?

That's a nice razor.
Appears all original.

That is a really nice razor.. Some razors are as small as 3/8th of an inch, and some can be 9/8 of an inch... Really depends on how much you want to spend, and your personal preference..

Any other insight particular to the Dovo Diamant?

Thanks for the replies so far guys

I've never used the diamant but I love the look of it.

My guess is that if you tape when you hone, and don't leave it wet or anything, that the finish will last a long time.

I like the look of this blade.

Michael

Its a 3/8ths blade, Challenge cutlery made great blades, get it honed and use it!

Originally Posted by Socrates

Hi,

I have been reading
..... I would prefer the Diamant, however, my only concern is if the black finish will fade and wear off the blade over time (ie, using it
......

This finish looks like blued steel. It can be rubbed off with sand paper
but like firearms the bluing helps resist rust. The nature of a hollow ground
blade is that the big surfaces are never going to contact the hone or the strop.

I have an antique blade or two and the bluing had been rubbed
off after 90 years with the exception of the handle area. There is
always some seller that thinks that buffers fix anything.

Yes if can be rubbed off with abrasives but if you like
the look of it and it is in budget go for it. If you look
at old firearms used day in and day out by police you will
see that the blue lasts and lasts and lasts. Small patches
will wear down to bright steel but that can take a long time.

All of my Dovo razors are quality blades... this should
be no exception.

If you have not looked at the classified do so. From time to
time there are some fine blades for very reasonable prices.

Do not skimp on the strop.