Thread: Did you ever meet a razor you did not like?

Sorry I am to report that a DOVO SS 6/8 Renaissance is being... hmmm... uncooperative with my attempts at honing it, and honing it, and honing it. I have even said unkind things to it after a stone under steel session. And then said even more unkind things to it when, after a round of steel over leather, we tried steel on well lathered cheek. All it seemed to do was turn a deaf blade.

I wonder if a DOVO will make as good a letter opener as does a ZEEPK?

We may find out in the not too distant future.

Originally Posted by Bruce

Sorry I am to report that a DOVO SS 6/8 Renaissance is being... hmmm... uncooperative with my attempts at honing it, and honing it, and honing it. I have even said unkind things to it after a stone under steel session. And then said even more unkind things to it when, after a round of steel over leather, we tried steel on well lathered cheek. All it seemed to do was turn a deaf blade.

I wonder if a DOVO will make as good a letter opener as does a ZEEPK?

We may find out in the not too distant future.

I've done a bunch of these. They seem like a harder SS to me. Seem to work better with more polishing strokes. So if on the Norton and finishing, instead of some 1-3 or 1-5 strokes on the 4K/8K, I ususlly go with 1-7's.

Lynn

You never know other than the junk razors what you'll end up liking and every razor has it's own personality. We had a new guy the other day who could not shave comfortably with a Dovo Micarta. I really like this razor. It was sharpened by two honemeisters and the guy still didn't like it. I gave him an old nice Genco with the slim plastic handles and he fell in love with the razor and the shaves. Turned out that the wider round handles from the Micarta were dealing him fits and he found it awkward to get the right shaving angle. He just couldn't use it.

Ya never know.

Lynn

Lynn,

Thanks for the encouragement and tips on the DOVO Renaissance. I'll definitely try some more kind words and tender strokes with stone and leather before making it the junior member at the Postal Service Greeting Station.

I was recently given a Brookes & Crookes, marked "John Brown & Co. Ltd." on one side and "Atlas Self Hard Steel" on the other. It cleaned up and polished beautifully, but I just can't get it sharp enough. Several honing sessions later and it still pulls my beard out by its roots. The bloody thing is now oiled up and left in a box until such time as I am feeling determined or masochistic enough to have another go at honing it.
Ho hum...


Duncan.

Duncan,

There is one boon from having a razor pull whiskers out by their roots and that is the assurance of the perfect BBS shave.

I notice that my post number equals the caliber of one of the all time great British Nitro Express rounds. How about that?

I've never met a razor I didn't like on some level. Having said that, I must admit that me and my Dovo Bergischer Lowe didn't get along for a long time - it gave me my first and only scar (well, it was me that did it, but you know what I mean). In fact, I'd probably have to say that, compared to Sheffield steel, Dovo are my least favourite (but I still like them...) They feel a bit scratchy to me, somehow.

James.

I have some that are more stubborn that others, but I love them all...

I think on an intrinsic level any quality razor will give a quality shave barring of course defective razors. I think in general some people will prefer certain grinds and sizes or ends or scale shapes. But if its a quality razor its a quality razor.

Originally Posted by Bruce

Sorry I am to report that a DOVO SS 6/8 Renaissance is being... hmmm... uncooperative with my attempts at honing it, and honing it, and honing it. I have even said unkind things to it after a stone under steel session. And then said even more unkind things to it when, after a round of steel over leather, we tried steel on well lathered cheek. All it seemed to do was turn a deaf blade.

I wonder if a DOVO will make as good a letter opener as does a ZEEPK?

We may find out in the not too distant future.

Bruce,
The Renaissance is probably the best SS extra hollow blade available.
Be patient with it and you WILL get a formidable shaver.
Kal