Dovo Mammuth

Hi to all :)

I was wondering if anyone had experience or thoughts about the Dovo Mammuth razor? I really like the idea of mammoth scales, and the price is around $500. Is the blade / scales worth it? Some reviews say the quality isnt so great., however their website says it is their finest blade - some comments say the blade is good but the construction is poor. How would buying this compare with getting a great blade paired by a professional to Mammoth scales as a custom job? I dont know anyone who sells or makes mammoth scales on their own, and do not know what I should expect to pay for a fine blade and mammoth scales. I'd love normal ivory, but it is a little too soon to support the use of ivory... that is why I like mammoth scales... being so long since mammoth have lived, the mammoth obviously wasnt killed for razor scales.

Attachment 152316

p.s. I know it is trivial, but I also like the etched Mammoth on the blade.

Thanks,

Andrew

I once owned a couple of these, but sold them both. The ivory is thin and is backed by ebony wood to support them, so the scales are heavy. The razor is unbalanced as a result. I think you would be better off buying 5,10,15, vintage blades, select one that shaves the way you like and have it rescaled. The Dovo blade on this razor is a standard blade dressed up in gold and a nice etch. Nothing special.

thanks, appreciate your feedback. Andrew

IMO - for the money you're spending, I'd take the time and find a really nice vintage razor, a big Sheffield blade, or something other in the vintage area. I've heard many mixed reviews about that Mammoth blade, and while I have two Dovo's and they're nice, they don't compare to the vintage blades, or some of the nicer new Thiers Issard's, the Dorko's, the CV, Whacker's, and the list goes on...that's just my opinion, YMMV....

I would not pay that kind of price for a set of scales only.
For that kind of money you can get better blade(s)

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Originally Posted by AndrewJM

Hi to all :)

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, I'd love normal ivory, but it is a little too soon to support the use of ivory... that is why I like mammoth scales... being so long since mammoth have lived, the mammoth obviously wasnt killed for razor scales.

Attachment 152316

Thanks,

Andrew

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,,,,Attachment 152321,,,your right they were not killed for razor scales; they were killed for "Uhh-Taah's", that's caveman talk for hand tools. Their tusks/ivory were used to make primative flutes, shelter & I bet there were a few necklaces of mammoth ivory on caveladies who earned them. ;)

I'm willing to bet if a caveman had come across an old Wade & Butcher with busted scales, he would have slapped some mammoth ivory on it. :D

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Originally Posted by Hirlau

,,,,,,,your right they were not killed for razor scales; they were killed for "Uhh-Taah's", that's caveman talk for hand tools. Their tusks/ivory were used to make primative flutes, shelter & I bet there were a few necklaces of mammoth ivory on caveladies who earned them. ;)

I'm willing to bet if a caveman had come across an old Wade & Butcher with busted scales, he would have slapped some mammoth ivory on it. :D

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Lord Thunderin' Jesus...think I'm going to have to call 911, think something just busted inside me I laughed so hard.....

Have a look at what Mammoth Ivory sells for…then comment or make a decision…
Mammoth Bark Ivory Scales

Hi Andrew, it's your money to spend as you will, but I would really recommend a cheaper razor to start with, for a few reasons, first you may decide straight razors aren't for you, in which case you can sell whatever you have bought and had the whole thing cost you too much, second you may damage the razor which won't be so distressing if it is a less costly blade and third you may decide the size and or grind aren't for you and you want something different.
Sorry if I jhst repeated myself from another thread, I can't remember if it was you I already said this to.
But all that being said I do appreciate your keenness for something that is quality and aesthetically pleasing to you, and your desire to not accumulate a whole load of equipment.
Bear in mind that you can usually resell razors if you try and don't like them, so it shouldn't be too costly to get a few and decide on what you like then get it scaled how you like. Or even get a full custom razor if you are so inclined.

Hi Andrew,

As Edhewitt said "it's your money to spend" and he is right. If $500 is not a stretch go for it. Hey a cheaper razor makes sense if your short of cash or want great value for money. Some people drive great looking cars some drive cheap cars, both have value to the owner. If your trying things out $500 seems a lot but $500 is like $10 dollars to some, so it depends where you stand. I love the look and uniqueness of the razor and it will give a good shave.

I have a DOVO Bismarch, it is well made, the blade is buttery smooth (although it does need sharpening out of the box) and it is my favourite razor that I use every other day.

I like vintage razors, but it's a mine field without experience and a New Dovo will definitely do as its supposed to do without the messing around.

Get one, get it sharpened and if its not for you you will be able to sell it for a large proportion of what you paid for it.

Will it be leaps and bound above a budget Dowo or a vintage model, frankly no, but will it put a smile on your face after giving you a smooth shave….more than likely yes….

I am with ED, "it is your money to spend" but be aware that you are likely not getting a better shaving razor than what a standard Dovo could provide. The extra coin pays for the scales and blinged up blade which have little to do with the ability of the blade to shave you well.

Bob

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Originally Posted by Catrentshaving

Have a look at what Mammoth Ivory sells for…then comment or make a decision…
Mammoth Bark Ivory Scales

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A set of precut 1/8" 6x2 from mammoth ivory is $60 usd

thanks, food for thought

That Razor IMO is overpriced by more than double

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Originally Posted by mainaman

A set of precut 1/8" 6x2 from mammoth ivory is $60 usd

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Do tell where we can find it for this price. :)

Plain Jane mammoth,brown, tan etc you can get cheap,but it looks like crap as in the above pics,about $80/lb.
Reds, Blues run $300/Lb.
You wanna see Mammoth Ivory,Go to the Tucson Az Gem show, you can buy tons of it.
Bring lots of cash,a plus if you speak russian as they control the world market.

How long have you been shaving with a straight? If not long, and you're still getting used to stropping and shaving, I'd pass on it if I were you.

Also, I agree with what others have said, a vintage razor will give an equal or (in my opinion) better shave.

And finally, I've owned three Dovos, and I wasn't impressed with any of them. All were pretty, but didn't deliver the shave I thought they should. I'll stick to vintage blades or new Japanese western-styled straights. I will say, though, that Hart Steel makes a wonderful razor for less $$$ than the Dovo in question.

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Originally Posted by Catrentshaving

Do tell where we can find it for this price. :)

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Here is one of them
Boone Trading Company - Ivory and Scrimshaw
and I was wrong it is preban elephant and is 30 bucks for 1x6 piece so a set is 60. Only sell in US.
Boone Trading Company - Elephant Ivory
For me the issue with those is the quality, the blanks have to be flat and with no defects etc, the risk is too big for the money for me.

I have the Dovo Mammut. Here is my opinion. The blade is quality and it's a great shaver. Unfortunately, that's all the good things I can say about it. The scales are very heavy and the razor is massively unbalanced and is a pain to shave with and you really have to be careful stropping and honing because of the balance. I think the price is ridiculous. For the money the finish is pedestrian and also for the money I think the little critter is cartoonish.

I got mine used on Eboy for around $120. I think it's worth that.

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I have the Dovo Mammut. Here is my opinion. The blade is quality and it's a great shaver. Unfortunately, that's all the good things I can say about it. The scales are very heavy and the razor is massively unbalanced and is a pain to shave with and you really have to be careful stropping and honing because of the balance. I think the price is ridiculous. For the money the finish is pedestrian and also for the money I think the little critter is cartoonish.

I got mine used on Eboy for around $120. I think it's worth that.

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You got that blade for $120...wow...think you should change your tag line to, "The King of Ducks and Mammoths"!

I loved the idea of having Mammoth ivory scales on a razor but something about the Dovo just didn't look quite right to me. I ended up getting Gabor Buddel make me a custom straight with Mammoth ivory scales. Not a cheap option but I got a fantastic razor.

Thanks everyone for your info / advice... Its obviously overpriced at 500ish, will look for something else.

They shave very much like a jazzed up Prima Klang with a balance similar to a Dovo Best Class Desert Ironwood, not far off many popular TI and Hart models. A steep premium for a rare scale material whose cost also reflects the losses suffered during manufacturing. It is usually a couple of years between runs of these razors and they sell out quick especially considering their price. When available, they have a good range of overall appearances. Here is an example:

Attachment 152487

I did a fair bit of looking for a mammoth in late fall to early winter. Some nice blades but no luck in finding the level of scales of last years Dovo run.

+1 to above.

Now those are some really nice looking blades, and the mammoth scales work beautifully on those blades IMO!!

The one I got supposedly had been used only once though that was not true because it needed some TLC when it arrived and it didn't come with the allegedly magnificent box.

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

The one I got supposedly had been used only once though that was not true because it needed some TLC when it arrived and it didn't come with the allegedly magnificent box.

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To be fair, you did pay 25% of the retail price :)

Ive seen two in a shop, and they are beautiful, but really expensive...

Wow, I had no idea the mammoth ivory came in so many shades... I had only seen the one colour. Thank you.

Thanks Ed. I just thought it looked unusual, as the blade didn't seem to curve , or be hollow in its profile (what ever that is called with straight razors), like other razors I have seen. Im assuming its a good brand, being this price on SRD?
Does anyone have any experience getting a better deal on something like this via SRD? The $AUD conversion isn't great at the moment, plus postage to consider. Plus I work very hard for my money and don't earn a lot of it, so like to get value for money where possible, yet at the same time, don't want to offend someone if they are legitimately offering a fair price. Would always be open to other suggestions if anyone has any....

So far the group here collectively, has already saved me $, in that I probably would have just gone to a shave retailer in Brisbane and paid retail not really knowing what I would be getting, and probably would have ended up flogging the wrong items on ebay at a loss.

Cheers,
Andrew

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Originally Posted by AndrewJM

Wow, I had no idea the mammoth ivory came in so many shades... I had only seen the one colour. Thank you.

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Most of the mammoth we see in the U.S. Is dug from the far north tundra and Siberia,Ivory takes on diff. Colors dependant on what type of mineral content the soil contains,I:E, Iron will make the tusks brownish, copper bearing soils, the greens and blues (the most expensive,AKA Gem Quality)
Eye candy:Scrimshaw, Fossil Walrus Ivory, Mammoth Ivory, Gold Jewelry