Thread: Shave ready, my @rse!

I have a Dovo Bismarck that was supposed to be made shave ready by the individual I bought it from. It was NOT shave ready. I made a few passes on my Nani 12k and it's better, but I'm going to have to break down and put it through the 4k/8k pyramid. I've never done that before, but I guess I'm about to learn. The pivot pin is a little loose too and I've tried 100 light taps with the ball peen, but it's still loose. These are considered shoulderless right? I really like the feel of the blade, I hope I can make shave ready.

Did you consider taking it back to Trumpers for them to rectify before posting here? Most vendors are more than happy to fix those razors that "fall through the cracks".

Originally Posted by geonjay

I have a Dovo Bismarck that was supposed to be made shave ready by the individual I bought it from. It was NOT shave ready. I made a few passes on my Nani 12k and it's better, but I'm going to have to break down and put it through the 4k/8k pyramid. I've never done that before, but I guess I'm about to learn. The pivot pin is a little loose too and I've tried 100 light taps with the ball peen, but it's still loose. These are considered shoulderless right? I really like the feel of the blade, I hope I can make shave ready.

Yes. they are shoulderless, and in my humble opinion, very easy to hone as a result. The blade will not get hung up on a hard shoulder and can therefore make better use of the hone. Though I destroyed the aesthetics of my Bismarck with a misguided cleaning attempt with Brasso, I still find that it takes an excellent edge. It is now, however, butt-ugly.

Originally Posted by MarkinLondon

Though I destroyed the aesthetics of my Bismarck with a misguided cleaning attempt with Brasso, I still find that it takes an excellent edge. It is now, however, butt-ugly.

That sucks I put this and a Dovo Micarta through a short pyramid on my 4k/8k Norton last night. I then finished them (and touched up my Filly) on my Naniwa 12k. You were correct about the Bismarck being easy to hone - it passes with no problems. The shoulder on the Micarta makes the X pattern a bit tricky. I'll shave with the Bismarck tonight to see how well I did. The Micarta has had a "scritchy" feel to it since I got it. I'm hoping that a few extra passes on the the 8k, 12k, and CrOx will soften it up. Maybe I'll use the Bismark for once side of my face, and the Micarta for the other. My Filly and my Craftsman are still the champs of smooth shaves..atleast for me.

mr_magicfingers,

Have you tried stropping your new razor? A few laps on canvas (which in my experience actually hones the edge) and then a few more on leather turned a new Dovo #41 from a razor that pulled into one that shaved wonderfully.

Jeff

Originally Posted by JeffR

mr_magicfingers,

Have you tried stropping your new razor? A few laps on canvas (which in my experience actually hones the edge) and then a few more on leather turned a new Dovo #41 from a razor that pulled into one that shaved wonderfully.

Jeff

Hi Jeff,

yes, I'd taken it through the canvas and leather strops, I think I just got a bad one, it's going back next week.

J.

Hi Justin,

Not been back to this thread in a bit! I'm in Fulham so if you can't make the razorcon you're welcome to come round of an evening for a beer and some honing!

If you're up for it let me know when's good for you and we can arrange something.

Best,

Stu

Originally Posted by geonjay

The pivot pin is a little loose too and I've tried 100 light taps with the ball peen, but it's still loose.

I've noticed some new razors have thin plastic washers at the pivot & even after adjustment will loosen again in a short time. Changing over to brass solves the problem

geonjay,

As an empirical observation, the five (5) Dovos that I have that developed 'looseness' in the pivot hinge all had very bent pins

If the pin is bent, further peening probably won't help a lot (it didn't for me !).

After re-pinning, all the razors' hinges have remained nice & tight to this day

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

Hi Stu,

many thanks for the offer, and sorry for not getting back to you sooner. Filming is being pretty manic at the moment, and I'm about to go away for another 6 weeks or so. However, when we finish towards the end of October, I'd love to take you up on your kind offer and come over and share a beer and some honing.

I'll be in touch in a couple of months,

Cheers,

Justin.

Originally Posted by Stubear

Hi Justin,

Not been back to this thread in a bit! I'm in Fulham so if you can't make the razorcon you're welcome to come round of an evening for a beer and some honing!

If you're up for it let me know when's good for you and we can arrange something.

Best,

Stu