Buying Dovo Straight Razor

Hey Everyone!

I started getting into straight razors a few months ago and have been using a Dovo Shavette Replaceable Blade. I think I finally want to get an actual razor and think I am comfortable with going with a Dovo Straight Razor, either a 5/8" or 6/8" Best Quality full hollow (preferably black). I was looking at a few places:

- Vintage Blades: $84.99, professionally honed, from what I've learned that means it is "Shave Ready"
- Straight Razor Designs: $79.99 but out of stock, also professionally sharpened

Are there some other sites you would recommend I take a look at? I originally got the Dovo Shavette at the Art of Shaving, but after looking at their prices for their other blades I feel like a lot of places online offer great blades at cheaper prices.

Thanks!!!

PvpMan22,

I think Dovo Best Quality's make a fine shaver when honed well. It was my first new razor. I got mine from thesuperiorshave.com. The prices are a few bucks higher than the two places you mentioned, however if you are in the US, shipping is included in the price making it about the same. And the razor comes shave ready. Also, products from thesuperiorshave.com are shipped super fast.

Hope this helps.

Thanks Broger! I'll look into them

The Dovo Best Quality was my first razor. It gives a great shave, and found it easy to learn honing with. You could try The Classic Edge Shaving Store Your Straight Razor Specialists., I believe that they will ship to the US for free if your order is over $100. Phil and Jane (owners) are great and you can bet your razor will be ready to shave with out of the box. Another site that I have used and liked is Fendrihan - Classic Wet-Shaving, Leather Wallets and Gifts For Men.

Russell

im all about Dovo right now.. just purchased three from the classifieds section... I would try that far as looking for a good razor. good chance it will be honed and the price will be good.. cheers

Dovo, old or new, is always a good choice imo. From Vintage or SRD your razor will be shave ready. With new Dovo's always keep in mind that the Dovo warranty is void if the razor is honed other than as delivered with a factory edge. I have yet to receive a a factory edge Dovo that was shave ready. My Dovo's that have come from SRD have always been honed perfectly by Lynn and I have never had a warranty issue with new Dovo's. I have 3 Dovo's and enjoy them all very much.

I have been using a straight for a month, and I started with the dovo 6/8 best quality. Got it from SRD...and got it in three days. Got a strop from there as part of a set. I'm sure they and any other vendor listed here will give you the same kind of service, just sharing my experience. SRD also offers free second honing with your purchase.

Vintage Blades is great and their razors are shave ready. I went with the Dovo 6/8 half hollow. I like the bigger blade, easier for beginners, and the half hollow doesn't seem to want to cut me as much as a full hollow.

I love Dovo! Right now I've been using my "Black Star" model and it hasn't let me down. Got it free from my brother and all I did was gave it 10 x-strokes on a barbers hone and it was good to go. He only shaved with it a handful of times and hadn't used it in quite some time. So for just 10 strokes on a barbers hone, that's pretty impressive to me. I would definitely pick up another Dovo in the future.

As for where to buy, I'd just go with whatever the best deal is. Just make sure it is truly shave ready, where ever you purchase from. I prefer vintage as I feel the razors have more character. Old or new, any razor can shave great. So the choice is ultimately up to you and depends on how much money you're willing to spend.

Can't go wrong with aDovo if you are new at straights... That way you can at leastnarrow it down to technique if you aren't getting a proper shave.. You at least know it won't be the blade.

I am a beginner. I own several Dovos and have no regrets. Straight Razor Design is the place to go. They have been good to me.

Also SRD has very very good prices