Two razors giving me fits....

1. Dovo 5/8 carbon steel white plastic job, the entry level one I've had for years. Available most places online for about $59. Never been able to get a good edge on this thing. I don't get it. This edge isn't gone, it has popped a hair recently, and it's full length grabs a wet thumbnail smoothly and consistently. It just seems like it just won't hold it, nor will it take that final crazy-sharp edge like my others will. Maybe this one got a bum heat treat? I don't know. If it was an expensive one I'd be upset, but it's this one razor that nearly turned me away from str8's for years before I broke down and picked up a few others.
2. Wade and Butcher big hollow ground chopper. This steel is fine I think, it's just the odd shape of the edge that gets me. That and I think it's been over honed in the past. The edge seems "too" thin. Running the pad of my thumb across the edge the sound is reminiscent of paper, if that makes sense. The other thing is the edge is curved, and quite pronouncedly so. I can't tell which type of stroke would make the most consistent contact with the stones.

I'm open to any suggestions. My honing routine is this: 10 light passes on 8k, 25 on 12k, 12 on .5 pasted strop, and 25 on .25 pasted strop. All followed by 50 passes on smooth russian leather. I increase/decrease the ratio on the 8k/12k and, depending on how far gone the edge is, drop down to the 4k for a few before hand. I normally double everything for a stainless blade over a carbon steel, and it seems to be a pretty close adjustment for the increased hardness if the shaves are any indication.

What kind of curve are you looking at? Convex or concave?

Threeputt,
I've got one or two of those big Wade&Butcher choppers, and along with a Filarmonica 7/8 ( www.classicshaving.com ) all have the curved edge.
There are various ways of dealing with this, but what I do is take more of a curved stroke on the hone, as opposed the the legs of the "X" pattern being arrow-straight. This is what works for me. Go very slowly at first to get the feel for it, making sure the spine and edge are both touching the hone through the whole stroke, and you will be fine. I'll bet that W&B blows that Dovo out of the water....
As for the Dovo, I have one similar to yours, and I don't know what it is, mine is the same. It will be ridiculously sharp but for some odd reason the shave is not as comfortable as other razors, including another Dovo (admittedly higher on the Dovo food chain) of the same size. I also have a Dovo 5/8 with imitation tortoiseshell (Swedish steel) and it shaves like a dream, honestly I think it is well into "Duck" territory... you might be onto something about the heat treat, or perhaps something else?

I know this isn't the help you wanted, however.
Anybody else know the magic for the lower end Dovo's?
John P.

Mgraepel, it's convex.

John, do any of your curved W & B's have an edge that seems too thin. Did you get what I meant by that paper-like sound?

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Originally Posted by mgraepel

What kind of curve are you looking at? Convex or concave?

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by JohnP

Anybody else know the magic for the lower end Dovo's?
John P.

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My DOVO special 6/8 (60$) is magic all by it's self. Must be that swedish steel, cryo tretmant AND 6/8 hollow ground. I like heavy blades now:)

John P.

Yes I have that same Dovo with Swedish steel and it really does shave like a dream I just wish it was wider mine is 5/8. But a great shaver non the less.:cool:

which one is it (and where is a great deal on it). i might want to try a swedish steel razor, as it may be the closest to a duck ill ever get

sam

Sam,

http://www.classicshaving.com/catalo...940/190288.htm

This is the one I have. They also have a 6/8 one. :D It is swedish steel as I said a nice razor.