Sent my wife's Valentine's Day gift back.

My wife told me on V-day that she got something for me but it wouldn't be delivered in time. It came today.

She ordered me a personalized set from Excalibur Cutlery, everything engraved with my initials. A black handled badger brush (Col. Conk), a razor stand, and a Solingen straight.

The razor stand is the same one I already have, it's for DE razors (which I have a few of) but it's got my initials so I'll be glad to keep it and give my other one to my son. The brush works great... but the Solingen razor had to go back.

They sell Dovos there, but this isn't a Dovo, just a razor with "Solingen" on it. The big problem is that the last 3/4" of the blade at the heel was warped. I started to hone it to get it shave ready and noticed it pretty quickly. Also, the bevel was pretty uneven the length of the blade. If it were an ebay special, I would have worked with it, but if we buy something new I expect it to be right.

They offered to take it back for a refund, so that's good. I told her I'd help her pick out the replacement... she's leaning towards the Dovo Astrale for me.

I also pointed her towards some of the shops that are more versed in straights, for future reference.

I guess the presence of the word "Solingen" doesn't guarantee a good blade!