Thread: Dovo Razor constantly needs honing?

Originally Posted by ElSonador

Thanks for all the replies guys. I guess I gotta get a second opinion from another honer and also work on my stropping skills.

Enjoy the holidays. Cheers.

This might sound strange, but practice stropping with a butter knife or other razor shaped smooth dull object, you will build muscle memory and not cut your strop.

Let us know where you are and someone may be willing to help out as I am if I am an option for you.
I have one new production Dovo, there are two issues with it, it does not center properly in the scales (I will fix this prior to next honing) and a slight geometry issue.
Nothing a mild rolling X stroke does not over come, however the bevel is a bit uneven but that will work out in time.
I purchased this Razor in early August, honed it, and use it 3 or more times a week. At this point it shows no evidence of being of inferior steel quality.
The edge is holding as well as I would expect and it will probably not need to see a hone until mid next year.
I am not doing preventive maintenance on this particular blade as I do want to fix the centering issue and cannot justify putting a perfectly good edge at risk but that is just me.

I think by your above post you are on the right track, and if someone is close a little hands on with the stropping will help a ton as well.

Regards
Pat

Have you thought about just shaving with it? Did you really stop using your razor for a year just because of what one guy told you?

For all you know you could be sitting on a shave ready razor. Try it out!

If its not shave ready, send it to one of the pros under member services. No need for a second opinion on the spurious "advice" you received previously.

Michael

Plenty of forum members here to help out. Most new to this sport need some instruction on stropping. If done incorrectly you can ruin the fresh edge from honing requiring the blade to be re-honed. I like paddle strops for this reason. Or take a hanging strop and lay it flat on a table for the stropping session.

In the long run learning how to take care of your own blades just makes sense.

Originally Posted by mjsorkin

Have you thought about just shaving with it? Did you really stop using your razor for a year just because of what one guy told you?

For all you know you could be sitting on a shave ready razor. Try it out!

If its not shave ready, send it to one of the pros under member services. No need for a second opinion on the spurious "advice" you received previously.

Michael

Ya I was pretty bummed out by the whole start up investment and not knowing any better I thought I just bought a "dud" of a razor some how.

I am in Chicago if there is anyone near by or knows someone near by, that is good at honing I would really appreciate their info.

Thanks again guys.

Ive heard of some issues with dovos in that the blade geometry is off sometimes, but never heard the steel was inferior. I think the blade needs a good honing and if you can practice stropping. A paddle or bench strop is helpful in that it is harder to roll an edge with one. Gemstar customs sells them and Glen delivers a very nice product for the price. After you get used to using a hanger you can use the bench strop for paste for touching up the razor. Glen hones also,(thats an understatement, LOL) so that may be your one stop shop.

There is always monday versions whatever product you buy. If you didn't buy this razor as shave ready it should have warranty for two years. Re-sharpening while warranty won't have affect about warranty if honing is done properly. You have still enough time to change honemeister like others has suggested and if that doesn't help, Dovo's warranty should help. Entry level Dovo's is not sharp enough what comes to my experience of those but I haven't herd any problems about metal quality.

Sounds like a case of over honing to me

I just bought a Dovo, my first razor. Then I came across this and started to get nervous! How does overhoning hurt except for shortening the life of the blade?

Originally Posted by Ernie1980

I just bought a Dovo, my first razor. Then I came across this and started to get nervous! How does overhoning hurt except for shortening the life of the blade?

Do not fret over-honing,
if you manage to over hone a blade it loses the smoothness and can forma wire edge.
A few back strokes or circles will correct it (not on a finisher on a slightly lower grit stone).

Even if you did this every time your blade needed honing it would still outlast you.