Thread: Dovo seems to dull quick

I bought a Dovo "Best" last April or so. It is my first straight razor. Since then, I bought a sight unseen flawed from Whipped Dog (Geneva), an Edelweiss, and a King Cutter (Last two are Bokers).

I've already sent to Dovo in to be re-honed once and even then about every 4th or so use I have to run it over the fabric strop with the green crayon on it or it gets nasty. The other blades don't seem to have this problem.

Am I missing something?

One like this.?

This ones about to turn 2, and has black pits with spider webs.

I've read other accounts of this same problem/ same blade. I truly believe it has to do with the etching process, and have seen it on other makers, that use the same type of etch.

All I can tell you is, let it sit open for a day after using, and put a light coat of mineral oil, on it. Baby oil will suffice.
And store it so it can get air.

As for the edge dulling... That could be a number of things like, beard density, and stropping skills are the first to come to mind. You can easily dull an edge on a strop. Too much of the green stuff can get you in trouble also.

Yes, like that one.

Thanks!

I'm having the same problem (dull edge) with the exact same razor. I'm still trying to figure out if it's due to bad stropping technique...
Strangely, my recently restored Joseph Rogers keep it's edge much better.

Nick

Originally Posted by nickbboutin

I'm having the same problem (dull edge) with the exact same razor. I'm still trying to figure out if it's due to bad stropping technique...
Strangely, my recently restored Joseph Rogers keep it's edge much better.

Nick

Difference between modern, and vintage steel.
I had to totally rehone mine, after close inspection, I noticed there was a frown in the blade that ran the whole length of the blade. Once I raised the toe and heal, reset the bevel, and honed it out, it shaves great now.
But its still wrong to me, that the blade is pitting this early in life, when in relative time my late 1700- early 1800 razor would be considered new, in comparison.

Originally Posted by DaveStauffer

I bought a Dovo "Best" last April or so. It is my first straight razor. Since then, I bought a sight unseen flawed from Whipped Dog (Geneva), an Edelweiss, and a King Cutter (Last two are Bokers).

I've already sent to Dovo in to be re-honed once and even then about every 4th or so use I have to run it over the fabric strop with the green crayon on it or it gets nasty. The other blades don't seem to have this problem.

Am I missing something?

Good observation. I recently honed a new SRP members razor during a one on one honing session.. It appears to be the same type DOVO you referenced. A simple exercise conducted during the one on one session is to let the new user actually see the edge at 100 X mag as it goes from 1 -4-8K progression.

Based on what I saw on this “particular” razor, the hollow grind was good and even, the finish was good, the scales fit and were adequate. However the edge will not improve past the 8K mark which is a decent enough shaving edge. Use of finer grits above the 8K mark will cause the edge to deteriorate. Use of any kind of treated strop or even excessive stropping on linen or leather only will cause the edge to deteriorate.

I can only guess what the edge longevity would be. The thuringian stone used as a final finisher (a very gentle finisher) did nothing to improve the edge. This is only an opinion based on examination and in no way is demeaning the manufacture or distributor or person that prepared the edge.
Mike

Typical bevel set w/ taped spine.


Thuri did nothing to improve the edge.

I also have been having this experience. For what ever reason my 2 Dovo best that I use see the most refresh action in the lot. I am sure there is a metalurgic reason for this but its beyond my scope and experience to come to any conclusions. on the other hand I have razors that have been maintained with strop alone for man many months and still shave rather well. Go figure.

Not enough carbon in the steel??

What is the “Green Crayon” on your pasted strop?

If it is not razor quality pure Chrome Oxide, it may be too aggressive and causing chipping.

Typically, as said, it is stropping technique that damages an edge pre-maturely, and not un-common. Watch your pressure and flip using your fingers not your wrist.

Look at the edge with magnification, 60X from the side and straight down on the edge. What you see will determine the repair.

There is no question, many “Production” razors are not what they were years ago, Personally I prefer Vintage razors for that reason.

Originally Posted by Slawman

Not enough carbon in the steel??

Doubt it. All the German blanks likely (but not certainly) come from Herkenrath, the last drop forge in Solingen that produces razor blanks. That's why a Boker Elite looks like a Dovo Bismarck.

My guess is that it isn't tempered properly.

Cheers, Steve