Thread: Which Dovo is this--Treasure or junk?

I tried to purchase a new 6/8 Dovo Tortoise 1516 680. Which is the 1516 model in 6/8. What I was sent is something different.(Bottom razor in first picture) It was purchased as new, but what arrived was not in original packaging, and showed signs of honing wear. The razor is a 7/8 and has no marking of the model number on it. It has three pins on the scale (not the 2 pins normally found on tortoise models)The gold etching on the blade is not as nice as on the 1516 models. I am including some photos of this razor next to a 6/8 . Is this razor of the same quality as the 1516 6/8 model. Should I return this? Any guesses as to the age?
Thanks... Larry

Well if you are not happy with it certainly contact the vendor. OTOH, if it is a 7/8, and if you like it, seems to me you made out pretty good. Assuming the condition is right. Hard to tell from the photos.

I can only judge the true value of a razor by shave test.

you want my addy?


and also (now he reads the post) i prefer the third pin (as i've broken a couple where that support may have prevented such) and i prefer the 7/8 blade. You'll never know how good the shave is without trying it. But if you want a specific "model" then send it back without trying it. It's that easy.

I'd say the new model is actually better than your old one.

Yes the etch is a little poor, But that's not uncommon. If you look at other razor companies some even struggle to get the etch on the blade straight!

The new one looks to have very little hone wear. It also has a fully stamped tang, unlike your newer variant.

The 3 pin scales look to be a little fatter than the 2 pins. That would seem appropriate with the extra blade width. The scales also look nice and clean with good transparency. They just want a light buff with a cloth and some crox on the inlay.

I would say the new 7/8th you have is a fair bit older than the 6/8.

I would opt to keep it. It's very similar to what you have, Whilst also been very different. And it's in good condition far better condition than your 6/8.

If you polish it up and put it back on ebay with good pictures you should be able to get a good wedge of your money back. And with that in mind it's a pretty low risk investment while you research the model and age. Plus 7/8 dovo's are more sought after than the 6/8 since Dovo don't make a lot of large blades anymore. The biggest they make is a 6/8 and all of them bar a few specific razors are laser etched tangs rather than stamped.

The question is do you think it's worth the money?

As for the hone wear, I think it's pretty much a factory edge. The dovo I got sealed in box new had about the same amount of wear.

On the back side of the tang on the 3 pin 7/8 would it say Fritz Bracht?

Bob

From what I can see of the pics...they're certainly not junk, those are some nice 7/8s IMO.

If I were to receive a 7/8 3 pin instead of a 6/8 2 pin I would most likely keep it if the razors condition was good.

unless you just want the 6/8, I would shave with it and see if you like it. If you do keep it, if not send it back. AS for the razor it looks like it will be a good shaver.

If you think that the razor was a Return and resold to you, you might want to check to see if the blade is warped.

I have the same Dovo 6/8, a third pin on mine would have been welcome, as the scales have warped. 7/8 ......nice, looks like a keeper to me unless you were trying to keep all your razors the same size