Thread: The low down on classifieds...from a pro

Hi, I'm Matt...

I am a beginner (though i have hacked a line with a sharp knife in the field and I get competent quickly). I do not plan, despite the overwhelming assertion of the enthusiasts, to build a collection of blades. I want ONE right now, that my growing skill and steep learning curve won't out run immediately. I was offered a shave ready Dovo Prima and strop for $130, but research lead me to believe that this may not be the best i can do. I have a very medium beard. I want to not have to upgrade frequently. I understand the subjectivity of all of this.

Can anybody with experience chime on this? Troll the classifieds and point me to something, offer up something, or tell me to get the Dovo? And, can i get consensus from a handful of forum members?

Thanks to contributors, especially if this lands me the right blade for me...

That is a pretty good deal...

A Dovo Prima Klang new is around $190 and yer getting a strop too..

That is a deal that is pretty solid IMHO,


Making the basic assumption that the Razor and Strop are in good working condition of course, if you are unsure of what to look for please post a pic and I will be more then happy to take a look at them and give you an opinion

I really shouldn't frequent the classifieds, it's way too tempting. There's a beautiful Duck there with a beautiful spike point that I like the look of; I love an evil spike, my first razor had a spike point. Many say beginners shouldn't start with one, but it taught me respect quickly.

Also the Red Imp is nice looking too.

There's also a really cool W&B with really cool patina if you like old looking razors but it'd possibly be harder to hone than the Duck and you'd need to keep on top of the patina to ensure it doesn't turn in to active rust, esp at the pivot.

If I needed another razor (which I don't) I'd splash out on the Duck. They are supposed to be very nice razors and if you DO only want one, this would last you the rest of your like and be very nice to look at too.

Just my opinion, I have no personal interest in promoting any particular sales...

Seriously, I haven't checked out the classifieds for a while and it looks like you could almost shut your eyes and point to the screen and choose a razor and it'd be a nice one.

Sounds like a good deal, hopefully it's truly shave ready. Pics say a whole lot...

If I may offer up the advice of another who is relatively new to this, I would first point out that, as long as your first razor is in good shape and is really shave ready, there wouldn't really be any need to upgrade. In other words, there really is no such thing as a "beginner" and "advanced" straight razor, IMHO, regardless of the fact that you may read certain characteristics that are well suited for a beginner (5/8 or 6/8, round point). As long as you don't buy some cheap piece of steel (check the beginners' section of the library for a list of brands to avoid), you should be good to go.

Also, it is unclear what you mean when you say that Dovo package may not be the best that you can do. Do you mean that you think you can find a better brand than the Dovo in your price range, or do you mean that you think you can find a package deal at a lower price? Both may be true, though saying that one particular brand is better than another is totally subjective (and Dovo is a really good brand). You can, however, find a good setup for less money without needing to upgrade: 1)go to the classifieds and pick something you like, as long as it is shave ready- 5/8, 6/8, round tip, spike- whatever you like the look and the price of; 2) buy an Illinois strop (google), a Big Daddy from Star Shaving, or one of several at SRD (range of materials and prices); 3) buy a Semogue or Omega boar brush and a puck of soap or cream (for a really cheap option, go to walmart or walgreens and buy the Van der Hagen box set). It is possible to get this whole setup for less than $100.

On the other hand, if that Dovo is coming from someone you know personally, I would jump on it in a heartbeat- especially if that someone is an experienced SR shaver who can mentor you. If this person is also skilled at honing, then you would really be in fine shape. Good luck!

I would personally have gone for that dovo and strop if it was in good condition. My first razor was a dovo and I was thinking about the Prima alot but decided on a different dove. All doves in mine and probably most others experience all shave the same when honed the same.

Course there are cheaper options and you might be able to get a better razor. MIGHT being the key word. You could stroll through the classifieds here or on ebay or etsy if you know what to look out for and pick up a nice vintage razor for 20-30 bucks or go to an antique store and hope the people selling them don't know what they have and get a steal like I do. After you get your razor you could learn to make all your own soap and strops and all that other stuff but that will take you quite some time and you won't know what professionally made equipment and soap is supposed to be like to compare your homemade stuff.

Or you could piece a kit together like others have suggested and that may or may not be cheaper depending on your self control. I tend to gravitate to the most expensive things thinking they are better.

No matter what I would still have gone for that dovo and strop deal especially if it came from someone you know and could teach you to use it and maintain it.

Thanks to respondents... you absolutely understood what I was talking about. To clarify about what I meant about "doing better", I did a good deal of opinion reading before I started looking at blades. There are opinions on grinds and such as to how different beard textures react to features. I wanted to know about the extra full hollow and my medium beard. Also, wondered about the price vs performance and life. If i did this right, the requested pics are above. If not, I will try again...

Oh yeah, I do not know him...there will be no "customer service". He does say it has just been sent out for "sharpening" and has been "sanitized".

Thanks guys

Get the Dovo...it's a nice blade.

FROM the PICS !!!

The razor looks to be in good shape, a couple of water stains but that is to be expected..

There is much speculation about grind vs beard I have found the really important part of the razor is the edge, there are subtle differences in the grinds to be sure but nothing that would stop you from shaving..

Basically this now falls back to your final decision, I don't see anything on that razor for me to say "No"