Thread: Dovo Micarta straight razor

Hi
Has anyone had the chance to try the Micarta from Dovo? Does the stainless take an edge like their carbon blades? How about holding their sharpness?
Thanks,
jerry1

I have not had that particular razor but a couple stainless Friodurs. They shave great and you get some more corrosion resistance.
I've heard that they are a little harder to hone but hold an edge longer. I personally don't understand this yet as it's usually a bigger feat to get stainless to the hardness of carbon steels. The only time I see stainless cutting tools it's for corrosion resistance, not hardness/wear resistance. I'm going to go out on a limb and say you'll like either...

Shane

I have the Dovo Renaissance 6/8 stainless and a Dovo Best Quality 6/8 carbon.Both shave the same,I've done 1 refresh on the stainless in 10 months.

Maybe cause the minor day to day corrosion on the edge is the degradation we feel? Dunno, anyway...

At the time I had one, it was only available in 5/8, which got somewhat lost in the more bulky scales. 'Took great edges, gave great shaves. 'Led me to the Friodur - which could be had in 6/8. There is a 'feel' to stainless. 'Not as radical as a sheffield, but noticeable. I like it. 'Love each shave w/ the Friodur now. Honing was not an issue at all. Hone & shave.

I have two Hess 44's INOX . The stainless blades seem to hold a shine better, and do have a slightly different feel to carbon steel, but most importantly they shave just as well. I can't say I've noticed a difference in how long it takes to hone one or how long the edge holds. I've never payed attention to it.

I am open to all suggestions. I fear a rapid onslaught of RAD.
Jerry1

very interesting. I'm looking to get a dovo stainless steel, and if there isn't any major difference in the quality of the edge or shave over a carbon steel I would defiantly start saving for one.

my question is if a stainless steel razor gives you the same quality shave, can hold a edge of comparable sharpness with a slight lesser chance of rust only at the cost of a few extra passes on a hone and strop why get carbon razors at all?

from this it sounds like the stainless model is far superior to the carbon, but there must be some major difference between them otherwise why haven't they completely taken over?

Originally Posted by keokitsune

my question is if a stainless steel razor gives you the same quality shave, can hold a edge of comparable sharpness with a slight lesser chance of rust only at the cost of a few extra passes on a hone and strop why get carbon razors at all?

from this it sounds like the stainless model is far superior to the carbon, but there must be some major difference between them otherwise why haven't they completely taken over?

I haven't used the Dovo Micarta, but amongst the razors I have is a Dovo Master's, which also has a stainless blade. I haven't been able to discern any major difference in performance between the Master's and other razors with Carbon blades.

In regards the question why stainless razors haven't taken over, I think the main reason is that straight razors are an anachronism (I had to look that up). Just about all other blades manufactured for beauty and health use, are in fact Stainless.

I own several Dovo 5/8 No 95 Best Class stainless bladed straights and they all take and hold an excellent edge. Some claim they are harder to hone but I have not noticed much difference, if any, between them and similar carbon blades. They don't see the hones very often. One has been in use, with a carbon mate, for fifteen years. They were my original two straights, bought as a cased set.

Stainless blades are a premium item and go against the tradition of straights that greatly predate the availability of such steels. Dovo used to save the stainless for their higher priced razors such as the desert ironwood. The newer models such as the Encina are respectable performers. Boker also makes a nice stainless that is clad in olivewood scales. Every straight aficionado should have at least one stainless blade in his rotation.