Thread: Ahoy!

Hi everybody! This website had been such a great help, now that I've got a day off I'm finally taking the time to register and say hello.

My cousin gave me a Merkur safety razor for xmas last year, I'm not sure why but it has started off a great new hobby. I love it, and it inspired me to go to a barber which was also a great experience. That in turn lead me to take it a step further and try a straight razor.

After a bit of research I decided stainless would be a good choice for me as a live on a boat (80' schooner) so I bought a DOVO SS ebony. That was 4 months ago and WOW the learning process is MUCH slower than the safety razor! After about a month with the safety razor I felt like a pro. 4 months with the straight razor and, althought I'm really happy with the results and I'm not cutting myself, I feel like I've got a long ways to go. It is exciting.

I've been living aboard for 5 years and have recently decided that it is time to move ashore and settle down a little- don't worry I'll still be working on boats! One of the perks will be getting a carbon steel razor. I would like to stick with DOVO and I prefer wood scales. I've been doing some research but it is difficult to get to the bottom of blade quality. Of course you get what you pay for but sometimes I'm not sure if the increased price is just because the gold plating or exotic scales.

I realize there are different grounds, widths and points but in terms of carbon steel blades and steel quality I can't find any reason to think there is a difference between Prima Klang, Black Star, Bismarck, and Ebony Square Point. Does any one know?

Bergischer Lowe is supposed to be a better quality (Swedish) are any other models as well? I would just go for it but I'm not really into the horn scales. I may go for it anyway.

Well, thats where I'm at. I'd love to get some feedback. If anyone is in the San Francisco Bay area and wants to go sailing drop me a line!

Hi, Schooner, and welcome to SRP! I think you definitely have one of the more unique residences among SRP members!
I don't know much about the makes/models you listed (actually "nothing" would be more accurate), so I'm kind of useless to you regarding that. Pics are always welcome here.
See you in the trenches, buddy!
mapleleafalumnus

Welcome to SRP!

I like all Dovo blades the same. I would not recommend the BLowe. Get one with jimps, not rubber sleeves.

Hello SchoonerBum, and welcome. My first new blade was the stainless Dovo in ebony, and my most recent was a model with the same shape as the 6/8 Bismarck. If you want to try a very different blade, I really recommend it. The stainless is the old traditional 5/8 shape, not much attention to ergonomics. The 6/8 Bismarck (and related models) is my idea of ergonomic perfection. The size is perfect for me (I wear a men's large glove), the extra mass helps steady the shave a little, the thumnotch and shoulderless grind make it much easier to strop, at least in my experience. Both your stainless and the Bismarck are hollow grinds, but again the Bismarck is a little heavier and you can tell the difference.

I like to put wax on my blades, which may help you keep a carbon steel one happier out in the fresh sea spray. Besides corrosion protection, it makes the lather slide off waaaay easier when you're rinsing, wiping, whatever your method of cleaning while shaving.

Smooth sailing and happy shaving to you.

Welcome to the forums! Bike to sausalito every year with my uncle!!! Great little town!!

Well, I ended up getting a red Bismarck and you are quite right. A very different blade and I really like the way it feels in my hand. I read on the Vintage Blades Facebook page that Dovo has discontinued the red so I'm glad I didn't wait too long.

Any special type of wax or application method?

Renaissance Wax seems to be the favored brand. I apply it with a bit of paper towel. Some Tuf-Glide on the hinge pin (and around the hinge area, since it's hard to get the wax in there) is also a good idea.

You can also put RenWax on the scales. Do it inside and out, so the scales continue to experience similar conditions on both their sides... otherwise you can create a long-term risk that they'll warp.