Thread: Dovo 6/8" Straight Razor

Hey guys,

My Razor (Dovo 6/8" Straight Razor) just arrived a couple of days ago and I stropped it prior to trying my razor out for the first time unfortunately the first shave didn't go all that well, I didn't end up cutting myself at all, but it had to be the most uncomfortable shave I've ever had in my entire life, the razor was just raking/scratching and pulling my skin like crazy, the closest thing I can relate it to is if you're using a regular razor and the blade has chips or nicks in it. It didn't seem to have an issue cutting the hair itself, it was just EXTREMELY uncomfortable. I'm thinking that the blade may need to be honed, I noticed when I ordered it, some of the straight razors that they have, they give you the option to pay an extra $5-10 and they'll hone the blade for you, but the one I ordered it didn't give me that option. I'm wondering if there are any good places in the US I could send it to, to get it done? There are a few cutlery shops around my area but I've heard of people taking their razors into those places and upon it's return it's either been screwed up or they did a piss poor job. As far as the initial shave goes, I know the angle at which you hold the blade is important (I've been told to hold it at a 30 degree angle or there abouts) I initially thought that might be my problem, but I switched it up numerous times and still had the same issue. Seeing as this is my first straight razor I figured I should defer to the experts for advice!

Thanks,
Dieter

Let me start by saying Welcome to SRP. You have come to the right place. Unless you buy a custom made razor its not going to be "shave ready". They may say it is but the edge is not honed by hand. They do t have the time to do that at a factory. Sometimes you can get lucky and find one sharp but its just not the best of edges.

GSSixgun is our resident pro honer so send him a PM. He will fix you up. You may get a PM from a member close by you who can help but glen gssixgun does honing and repairs for a living.

Angle!

This is not a Safety razor. Forget you heard 30 degrees. The thickness of the spine of a straight razor is the amount of space you want between the spine and your skin. That is about the right angle.

Check out our library. We have a section on newbies learning to use a straight razor. Its full of great info. Stick around and dont give up. After you have a shave ready razor and have shaved with it about 100 times you will then start to understand how it works. It takes time so keep at it.

Ask questions and we will be happy to help you. Its best to have 2 razors so one can be sent of for honing and you can continue shaving with the other. Id recommend a vintage razor bought off our Buy, sell,trade thread. It will come shave ready by one of us.

So welcome to the old way of shaving.

Welcome to the forum. The only thing I'd add to what Jerry has said is that it is possible for a beginner to damage the edge through poor stropping technique. If you do get your razor honed, do not strop it before first use. That way you will know what a shave ready edge feels like and if it feels worse after you strop it for the second shave you will know that your stropping technique needs improving.

It really does take a while for everything to fall into place, so take your time and have patience.

Bob

Welcome to the forum!

The rule of thumb is 100 shaves before it all comes together for a new user

I’ll add that even if the blade is really shave ready(not likely) you have no experience with a straight. Like Dave said it takes time but once there it’s quite easy and pleasant. I had razors in the beginning I thought were dull. Put them up and ordered more, later on I revisited and they shaved fine. Expecting instant gratification really is kinda dumb.

Stropping is the most important aspect of this way of shaving, so expect that to take a while, most can’t improve an edge stropping for months.

Prep helps in the beginning to get your beard ready, this will change later as you start to get it.

All this boils down to is if you are willing to learn, read the library first, ask questions and your on the right path by wanting to get someone to hone for you, that will set you up for success. Gssixgun is a great choice, he does mine, plus we have several around the country but he’s up in northern Idaho.

You never said anything about brush and soap. Canned goo ain’t for this sport

Hello and welcome to the forum

Pay attention to what has been said.
Speed is your enemy when shaving and stropping.
Slow and steady wins the race.
Enjoy the learning process.

Pete <:-}

I have been shaving with a straight razor for around 7 years now and still am learning. Get to know your face! That's very important! It's all about your face and knowing how to use the razor. Then you can start working on your honing skills. Like TC said, stropping is critical for a comfortable, sharp, well maintained blade. Give yourself some time and you'll be fine.
Good luck and talk with gssixgun. He'll help you!

Oh yea, welcome to the forum! Lot's of help and learning here with these fine gentlemen!

Yea, good advice here.

Before worrying about keen edges you need to learn to use the instrument and that takes time. In a way it's a cart before the horse thing because no matter how sharp the razor is if you use it improperly you will never get a good shave.

I recall saying many years ago, get a cheap garbage razor and take the edge off it so it's as dull as a butter knife and practice with the stroke and angle and pressure. Also, map out your beard so you know how to approach the shave. The 30 degree thing is a jumping off point. The thing with a straight is you alter the angle to meet the needs of your face so the angle adjustments are infinite.

Welcome to our site and practice, practice, practice.

Originally Posted by Gasman

..... They do t have the time to do that at a factory. Sometimes you can get lucky and find one sharp but its just not the best of edges.

Great advice here Jerry - but I cannot agree to what you have said above. In the great Solingen times it was absolutely self-evident that all razors were honed to shave ready before they leave the facility. Scaling and honing was a seperate job beside razor grinding - done by special educated people. And it was an honour and understood craftmanship that each and every razor was honed and finished properly.
Of course shave ready in former times didn't mean maybe exactly what we or some specialists in honing nowadays except from shave ready.
But it is for me not understandable that - lets say some of the remaining larger companies in Solingen - who are still very proud to put "Solingen" on each razor, knife and scissor, deliver such bad quality, as well in grinding sometimes and also in honing. I spoke with a lot these companies the last years in Solingen and often about the quality in honing.
The first thing even a newcommer recognize if he buy a razor is, if he can have a (more or less, depending on the experience) comfortable shave with it. He don't look at the quality of grinding, that comes later, but he recognizes immediately if the razor is really sharp. And I can't really understand why the companies don't care about that, even if they know about these circumstances! And that cannot cost any extra cent more. Comfortable keenness is a necessary precondition for each razor!
But talking and talking doesn't help - at leats with some companies. There are others who are doing better though, still keeping the honour of good craftmanship allive.

Sorry but could not hold back the above tirade.

If for what reason ever, Glen or other good honers in the States don't have the time or possibility, send the razor to me back to Germany I will hone it for free. It is a shame.

Regards Peter

I agree with ya Peter. But it is such a shame that when buying a Dovo now its such a hit and miss. Finding a real shave ready edge or a solid proper grind would be such a positive thing. I think even those of us who own many razors might buy a new or special Dovo razor now and then. Think of the sales they could have.