Thread: Newbie based in Japan

Hi

I'm based in Tokyo, ordered my Dovo blade and strop from SRD before Christmas and am now well into my straight shaving career. No major mishaps as yet, but am worried about my stropping more than anything...have had the feeling that the blade's sharpness has gone off, and wondering whether my poor stropping technique is to blame. It's still good, though, and I'm getting good shaves, certainly up there with my DE shaves (Merkur Futur w/Feather blades). I'll definitely continue with the Dovo...may get another blade later on, but I have to order from overseas, as there's nothing available here.

Looking forward to lurking and posting occasionally in the forums, picking up advice from the experience that's already here

Cheers
Pete

Yes it's probably your stropping. Just go slow across the leather, concentrate, and apply NO pressure. You are only polishing the edge, not sharpening it. Everyone dulls their first razor learning how to strop, so don't feel bad.

Dovo's are great razors, way under-rated. Howver, from the factory and even from SRD, you'll notice under magnification that there are scratches and serrations on the edge. After a few honings, these imperfections will smooth out and you'll have a wonderful shaver.