Whipped Dog or Dovo Best Quality

Hi all!

About a month ago my dad got me a wet shaving kit as a gift (badger brush, pre-shave oil, shaving cream,) and I loved it! Even using my plain old boring Schick Hydro I feel I was getting a closer shave and really cutting back on the razor burn. Needless to say, evidenced by me joining this forum, I have been researching getting into straight razors or DE razors (Look at me using abbreviations and stuff like a seasoned veteran :) ). Now I have been doing a lot of research and know I am in for my fair share of nicks and cuts but something just really intrigues me about the old fashioned straight edge razor. That being said I'm trying not to break the bank and did get a little bit back from my tax return so I'm going to jump on the straight razor train!
What would you guys recommend? A brand new Dovo "Best Quality" & Strop kit or a Whipped Dog razor & Strop kit? Is newer better or just the same as a shave ready from Whipped Dog?

Welcome to SRP

I would go with one of SRD's starter kits if I was starting again. However Whipped dog sharpness vs SRD is almost always close to the same with SRD having the advantage. The main difference is appearance; new from SRD will be factory new other than honing, sight unseen with flaws from whipped dog won't be pretty, but his sight unseen will usually look pretty good.

Jonathan

+1

Larry at WD sends out pretty respectable stuff, in decent shape, that won't set you back if you find this isn't for you. Shoot him an email, tell him where you are and what you're interested in.

Lynn's a straight shooter also, so either way you'll win. The BQ I received from SRD is an outstanding razor.

And eventually, you'll do both. It's just a question of when.


And

If I were to do it all over again I would not go with the Dovo. If you prefer to go with a brand-new razor, Why not expand your choices to include a new Ralpf Aust from SRP. Currently inventory appears to be a problem however I suspect if you contact them they may be able to assist. The Dovo Best quality is a decent shaver however it would not be my first choice if I were doing it all over again. The Aust razor seems more interesting o me. And one that I would be more likely to remain interested in in the long run.

Dovo best quality.

James.

I started with the WD and it was perfect. Gave me everything I needed initially to see if I liked it. The razor was fugly but sharp and I haven't used it in months since getting upgrades, but for those guys who decide it's just not for them, it's a small expenditure.

I like dovo, it was my first and collected many since but go with what you can afford. Good luck.

I started with a new Dovo. But my experience with WD is 100% positive also, so I think you can go either way depending on how much you want to spend.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by vicmaldo

I started with a new Dovo. But my experience with WD is 100% positive also, so I think you can go either way depending on how much you want to spend.

---

I did just the opposite.
Started with WD. Loved it!!
Then got a Dovo Best Quality for Christmas.

I have no regrets with either.

Dovo Best quality,without a doubt. It was my first razor,and I still have it in my rotation. If you find you don't like straight razors,you can always sell it ....with pictures.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by chapman

Hi all!

About a month ago my dad got me a wet shaving kit as a gift (badger brush, pre-shave oil, shaving cream,) and I loved it! Even using my plain old boring Schick Hydro I feel I was getting a closer shave and really cutting back on the razor burn. Needless to say, evidenced by me joining this forum, I have been researching getting into straight razors or DE razors (Look at me using abbreviations and stuff like a seasoned veteran :) ). Now I have been doing a lot of research and know I am in for my fair share of nicks and cuts but something just really intrigues me about the old fashioned straight edge razor. That being said I'm trying not to break the bank and did get a little bit back from my tax return so I'm going to jump on the straight razor train!
What would you guys recommend? A brand new Dovo "Best Quality" & Strop kit or a Whipped Dog razor & Strop kit? Is newer better or just the same as a shave ready from Whipped Dog?

---

Can't go wrong either way. Both are reputable dealers. It boils down to whether or not a new setup will motivate you to persevere. If you get the SRD kit, please pay the extra money to get a 3" strop so you won't have to learn the more difficult X pattern of stropping!

I noticed that you said your Schick Hydro was boring, which means that it does the job for you. I got interested in DEs and straights because the Gillette multiblades and cartridges really irritated my face and Schicks were worse. DEs solved my problem and I got into straights because DEs did the job but bored me.

I will tell you that I have a Dovo Best Quality razor and it is an outstanding shaver.

My first razor was a brand new Dovo "Best Quality". I have no regrets. I wouldn't buy sight unseen anything from anybody.

Depends on your budget. Larry at WD took real good care of me for an incredibly reasonable price.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jimbo

Dovo best quality.

James.

---

I agree, why buy low end and have to buy again later when you need quality.

My first straight was a Dovo and I still have it and use it..great razor and you wouldn't have any regrets. Like others have said, buying anything sight unseen is quite a risk, not one I would ever take.

Go with the Dovo.
As many of the other posters, I did as well.
No regrets, it has remained in my rotation ever since.

Buying stuff sight unseen is a big nono in my book.
I'd rather go with a DE than an unknown entity like that. JMHO

Wow! I've never posted to a forum and gotten so many responses so fast. Thanks for the input guys! I feel I have been convinced that a new razor is the way to go for me. I think I will be more inclined to care for it better and stick with it more if it's new rather than used. That being said OCDshaver mentioned the ralf aust I was just wondering why you find that razor more intriguing than the dovo BQ??

Either choice you won't regret. I've been dealing with Larry at Whipped Dog mainly since I started this straight razor adventure and he has been excellent.

+1 to the Ralf Aust...considering that for my first Buy what you want and like, and you will be more prone to stay with it. Haven't pulled the trigger on the Ralf Aust, but it is very close. You get a couple of honings by the best, and a deal on the strop. If you go with the Dovo or WD, you still will be fine.

DOVO if you like pretty things. My whipped dog razor was ugly, had lots of big black spots and pitting, and a wave near the heel which drove me nutz... YMMV!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by chapman

Wow! I've never posted to a forum and gotten so many responses so fast. Thanks for the input guys! I feel I have been convinced that a new razor is the way to go for me. I think I will be more inclined to care for it better and stick with it more if it's new rather than used. That being said OCDshaver mentioned the ralf aust I was just wondering why you find that razor more intriguing than the dovo BQ??

---

SRD's price on the Dovo is really good. I've seen it on other sites for as much as $120. So if you go that route, its a good price. However, I bought a Dovo BQ early on and I think you'll find that you will want to upgrade shortly. First, the scales are not the best. Functional, yes. But mine broke after about five uses right at the pivot pin. From the number of posts I've seen about it, I was not alone. That's not to say that your will or that whatever issue with quality control at the time hasn't been resolved. But the RA offers several nice options that appeal to me. Plus, I like a square point razor most. While round is most suggested for a new guy, a square is not significantly different unless its a spike tip. Once you get over the initial learning curve or get a handful of shaves under your belt, the round tip's safety aspect has been neutralized. In the end, the RA appeals to me more. Its a preference thing. But it IS $60 more. That could be the difference for you between going forward with SR shaving or not. Only you know that. From what I have read, the quality of these is exceptionally good. Here is a post regarding these. Read up and make up your own mind.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...st-razors.html

Review of the Ralf Aust Razor Manufacture 6/8 Spanish point razor - a new star from Solingen is born | Cut Throat Chronicles | Fashion fades, only reality remains

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by LikesBBS

DOVO if you like pretty things. My whipped dog razor was ugly, had lots of big black spots and pitting, and a wave near the heel which drove me nutz... YMMV!

---

A wave? Do you mean a frown in the blade?

As for strops would you guys recommend getting the poor mans strop kit from whipped dog over a nicer strop from SRD? Seeing as I am a beginner and will probably ruin my first strop regardless of what it is.

No I would not, I would & did get the SRD strop. It has nicks, to say the least, but they have been fixed & she performs well. It was my only strop for 2 years.

No I don't want a poor man's strop.

Thank you so much for your input everyone. It is much appreciated! I'll repost when I decide on a razor. My dad and I are both looking at a few right now. After this thread, however, I am leaning towards spending a little more on a nice razor that I will care for and want to use on a regular basis. Is this a wise thought?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by chapman

Thank you so much for your input everyone. It is much appreciated! I'll repost when I decide on a razor. My dad and I are both looking at a few right now. After this thread, however, I am leaning towards spending a little more on a nice razor that I will care for and want to use on a regular basis. Is this a wise thought?

---

If I had it to do, from the beginning I'd get two entry level new Dovos, and a strop, so that I had a rotation, rather than depending on one razor. A rotation is better than one higher priced razor, which is generally only 'better' in that it is fancier. Kind of like buying a basic model car for less than the same more expensive one with nicer paint, chrome and pin stripes. IMHO.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by chapman

Thank you so much for your input everyone. It is much appreciated! I'll repost when I decide on a razor. My dad and I are both looking at a few right now. After this thread, however, I am leaning towards spending a little more on a nice razor that I will care for and want to use on a regular basis. Is this a wise thought?

---

Wise indeed. In the end you'll thank yourself for making that decision.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Catrentshaving

A wave? Do you mean a frown in the blade?

---

That be the one. Had a mini frown at the heel probably a cm long. Drove me nutz

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by chapman

As for strops would you guys recommend getting the poor mans strop kit from whipped dog over a nicer strop from SRD? Seeing as I am a beginner and will probably ruin my first strop regardless of what it is.

---

Why enter with that thought ? Just practice on a single sheet of newspaper the size of your new strop anchored with a bulldog clip. You can practice the motions quite safely & then when you have confidence move to your new leather strop. I just don't understand the concept of expecting to damage a strop. What's worse, doing so damages your edge.

I went with whipped dog due to the fact i wasnt sure if I wanted to start straight razor shaving or not and didnt want to spend a ton of money, and I actually got a fairly nice razor. Its still in my rotation and is my 3rd/out of 4 lol fav razor. Only thing with whipped dog is the razor doesnt allways come 100% shave ready. that would be my major warning! If you have the money go nicer but if you want one just to see if you like it go with WD

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by chapman

Thank you so much for your input everyone. It is much appreciated! I'll repost when I decide on a razor. My dad and I are both looking at a few right now. After this thread, however, I am leaning towards spending a little more on a nice razor that I will care for and want to use on a regular basis. Is this a wise thought?

---

Yeah, it's a wise thought because it shows you are thinking for yourself. Actually, I think you already made the call, and all the thought you've put into your decision making suggests to me that you will persevere and adopt straight razor shaving as a permanent lifestyle change.

If it helps you any, I shaved this morning with a Dovo Best Quality and it performs as well as any one I have ever used.

One area that I do want to exert some influence in is eventually getting a 3" strop. Stropping properly (keeping the wrist straight while flipping the blade so that both sides are stropped equally well) took longer for me to master than the shaving or honing. Maybe you are not a klutz like me that is part right-handed and part left-handed, but I can only imagine how much more difficult if would have been for me if I had to learn the X pattern on a 2 or 2 1/2 inch strop.

Definitely going to get a 3" strop and after recommendations from you guys and the guys at SRD I'm probably going to go with a ralf aust and 3" strop

I think alot depends on if you are more than 50% convinced that you will stick with straights. For me, I was not sure and I wanted to "try" it at minimal cost. That's where Whipped Dog shines imo with a combo of sight unseen and the Poor Mans Strop. After I used it and knew that this was something I was going to stick with, I bought a couple new. Now, I bought a couple vintages which I hope to bring back to life. It's a journey :)