Thread: First DOVO, what to do first?

Hey, I just got a DOVO from Shaving and Razor shop in Belgium (http://www.shaving-and-razor-shop.com/.
But as you all know, the DOVO's are not supersharp from the factory.
I have also ordered a strop and Belgian honing stone.

How many times should I get it on the stone, or is some stropping enough to get it crisp? I don't want to overdo the honing on a new razor.

Thanks!

Is that the blue stone or the yellow coticule?

Yellow coticule; is it bad for the blade?

That's your baby. The blue will work more aggressively on the razor to establish the "teeth". The yellow is the finishing stone. I don't use that one myself, but I hear it is a great stone which I understand can be used wet for a faster cutting action, or dry for gentler one. I suspect about a half dozen ultra light strokes on a wet stone would be your first step, then strop, but wait for someone more experienced with that hone to offer advice.

If this is your first razor you will be unlikely to get that shaving edge any time too soon. If you have knife sharpening experience, you may fare better and progress quickly. It cannot be understated how lightly the razor should touch the hone. You should read my blog linked below. I talk about a lot of the process.

The yellow is excellent. The razor is very good. I will let someone with experience using the belgian coticule stone give you some direction.

What country do you live in?

Wow! I want one of those. Are they all yours? Pretty good size stone that middle one. I hear they are wonderful. The Dovo will likely take a good bit of work if my experience with them is typical.

I have both the yellow and Blue Corticule and find that when used wet they don't cut as fast as the Norton 4K/8K but do a finer job.

What I would do is first do the usual tests with the blade or even better shave with it to establish how much work it will need. In my experience and I have two Dovo's I bought new they weren't really that bad just needed a touch up. I would do maybe 5 or 6 strokes on the blue using no added pressure and then about 30 strokes on the yellow also with no pressure and then test. If you need more do 10 strokes and test after each 10. If the blade seems to shave pretty good you might even skip the blue and start with the yellow. Its really hard to recommend stroke numbers because that really deoends on how the blade is. If you want to be real conservative you can just do 10 strokes on the yellow and test after that.

I've never used the corticule dry so I can't comment about using it that way I just wet it and keep it wet during the honing.

Yes, conservative and patient. You should also have some practice razors if you're starting out. I have some I can send you FREE! + postage. PM me if you're interested.

Hello again, I live in Belgium (however I'm not Belgian).
Unfortunately, there is absolutely nobody with experience on this subject. I talked to a couple of hairdressers, and even some Asian barbers, but they all use exposable blades and nobody knows how to use a honing stone.
I think I'll contact the guys from the store, they should be able to show me how to do the right thing (they ought to know!)

The directions mentioned on their website is to use the stone wet.
I would be very interested in some practice razors, but how can I check my work? I mean, I can play with them, but how can I be sure that what I'm doing is the right thing, that what I should be doing?
Do I send you a selfaddressed letter or how does it work?

Cheerio

I would like to respond to all of your concerns immediately, but we must take things one step at a time.

Originally Posted by BabyJoe

I'll contact the guys from the store, they should be able to show me how to do the right thing (they ought to know!)

Concerning the stone retailers:
Do NOT count on them to know ANYTHING about straight razors. I hope I am wrong.

Originally Posted by BabyJoe

how can I check my work?

Answering your question:
There are tests which are done to confirm the sharpness of the razor before you shave.
1. The Thumbnail test with which I am only slightly familiar. It doesn't work well for me(yet?). I can only detect nicks with this. Others seem to use it as I use the Thumb Test
2. The Thumb Test. Always brush the pad of your thumb gently across (NOT ALONG!) the edge after honing to feel the cutting action against your skin.
3. The Hanging Hair test is the last. If a clean hair, brought down gently upon a still razor's edge, cuts the hair in half effortlessly, it is ready to shave.

Much of this is explained in the Help files here. . . . Read them ALL. And read my blog. Especially the first and last posts (About A Blade and A Perfect Pedicure).