Thread: Dull razor, where to get it sharpened?

About 9 months ago I bought Dovo straight razor (# 415 5846) along with a strop, cream and brush.
It was impossible to shave with it, it pulled and got stuck on individual hair follicles. I figured I just have to get better at it and so I tried doing that for over 3 months. I watched many tutorials and kept working on my stropping technique every day. I kept at it by trying to shave small and easy sections of my face daily by going with the grain and experimenting with different angles. It just could not give an acceptable shave after all that, not a close shave at all and lots of irritated skin from all the pulling. I would just finish up with my old cheap cartridge razor, which gave a significantly better shave.
At this point I was so disappointed; I gave up and put the razor aside. I still want this to work and I’m ready to give it another go.

Any suggestions on where I can send my razor to get a serious edge on there that will finally be able to get the job done? I am located in the U.S., Philadelphia area.

Read the beginners section. It starts with shave ready,my ou have invested 3 months and f bad learning. Go to the vendors section, they will be there or look up gssixgun he has been honing longer than most and can really do a great job. Look for mentors in your area on a member search, then do as I said Read! Tc

Sending PM

Originally Posted by RazrosEdge

Any suggestions on where I can send my razor to get a serious edge on there that will finally be able to get the job done? I am located in the U.S., Philadelphia area.

Contact Glen at GemStar Customs
Welcome GemStar Customs - Gem Star Customs

or Lynn at Straight Razor Place
 

SRP is closer to you but either will put an excellent shave ready edge on your razor.

Welcome to SRP! You have come to the right place for straight razor shaving info.

Just so you know for future reference, most razor kits that come with a razor, strop, brush, etc. claim to be shave ready, a lot of razor manufacturers claim their factory edge is shave ready but that's not always true. The factory edge may be sharp but it will not give an irritation free shave because it isn't keen. A keen edge that will give a smooth irritation free shave can only be created by a honing pro like the ones mentioned that truly understands what a 'Shave Ready' razor means because they shave with them.

Dovo's are good quality razors but unless they are properly honed by a pro will not shave any better than something you might pick up at a yard sale or antique store..........

Good luck and enjoy the journey!

Sending PM as well.

Thank you for all the great responses! I’m amazed by how active this forum is, looks like I’ve come to the right place indeed.
Thank you for all the PMs too, I am certainly considering those options. I am going to do some more research about it here first before I decide on a particular service. Looking forward to finally get that perfect shave!

Thank you.

Many of you have offered your services to me via PM and I am very grateful for all the support. I got more than I bargained for here! What an amazing community!
I have decided to let ‘outback’ hone the razor. Thanks to everyone for offering so much help, I appreciate it.
I will report back once the razor is sharpened and let you guys know whether my face is still in once piece.

Cheers!

A word of advice for once its back.

Don't strop it before you shave, it'll be totally ready.

Shave the lather, not your face. Light pressure is all you'll need.

Keep the spine about 1 spine thickness, off your skin.

It WILL be the sharpest thing you've ever had in your hand, so wear some shoes and drawers while you shave....unless you don't need them.

good choice, Mike (outback) won't let you down. there's a learning curve but stay with it and you will be hooked for life!