Thread: Bergischer Löwe

Recently I bought a Bergischer Löwe from Marktplaats, a free Dutch auction site with a lot of rubbish and occasionally something worthwhile,
At the toe end of the blade, on the satin panel, mine has printed "Dovo No 3 5/8 Solingen W Germany".
Just out of curiosity I checked other pictures on the WWW and found only pics with a similar text without the W.

So, am I right to conclude that my razor was made before the collapse of the Berlin Wall? Were other texts printed on these razors as well?

Interesting question. Every Dovo i have ever bought had made in W Germany stamped on the box seal. Considering the last I one I bought was new and purchased only 2 years ago I highly doubt its been sitting around since 1990 waiting for me to purchase it. I also remember not long ago that vendors seemed to be having a little difficulty keeping Dovo razors in stock and I would assume the older stock was long gone. i am inclined to believe that they just didn't update the box labels. maybe they had so many of them printed up that it wasn't cost effective to re do them. Sill I have to wonder, I cant confirm any of what i say here to be true.

Well after not being able to find a new production blade on the internet that actually had W Germany on the blade. I think your hunch is probably right. Your Bergischer Lowe just might be made in W Germany. I guess you have a piece of history there.

I always thought Germany was used pre WWII, W or West Germany post WWII and Germany again after the reunification of East and West Germany.

Bob

You might be able to get a better idea by looking at how the Dovo stamp changed over the years.

STRAZORS.com - all about classic razors - DOVO, Fritz Bracht, Solingen, Germany.

Bob

Thanks for posting the link to Alex's site. He offers some superb razors for experienced and inexperienced straight shavers.