Thread: DOVO Black Star or Micarta anyone?

So a couple months ago I started looking into the world of straight razor shaving and for some reason lost touch for a while. Anyways, I have still yet to purchase my first razor but I think if I buy new I'm going with a DOVO through Straight Razor Designs... however a lot of people are recommending getting my feet wet with a less expensive vintage blade from the trade board here.

If I go new I like the style of the DOVO Micarta (white) and the Black Star, can anyone offer any thoughts or opinions on these blades? I hear the Micarta is a little tough to sharpen and the scales are a bit heavy? I have heard great things of the DOVO 41 SS blade, is this the blade the Black Star has?

Any other recommendations are VERY welcome!

I clean shave 3-5 a week, not sure if this matters.

Cheers,

Josh

Oh, and I have heard good reviews of the DOVO Silver Steel as well... any comments here?

Thanks Again

Dovo makes a high quality razor. I would suggest the cheapest high carbon steel model. It will be good steel without some of the frills. Get it pre honed and you can learn on that. Then buy one from the classifieds for a rotation. If you want to pursue honing pick up some antique store or ebay razors and practice on them using your two pre honed shave ready razors as a bench mark.

I have a DOVO BEST QUALITY, BLACK 5/8 which is Full hollow carbon steel
&
A DOVO Micarta (white)

Now I dont hone so i cant comment on what is easier etc. gssixgun does all my honing

But I can tell you that they both shave great !

The Best Quality was my first and is I would sat more forgiving then a wedge as far as niks lol The round point makes it easier to work around the jawline by my earlobe which i want to keep.

The Micata is a sweet shaver as well and I truly love it. I dont find it heavier but I do feel it is different in the cut feel. Meaning the way it feels as it is cutting the wiskers. Very smooth feel and very easy to handle.
As far as the handles... well at 6'5" I dont have small hands so i may not notice if the handles are larger then the Best Quality but I honestly dont notice any wieght difference in them. I like the feel of the Micata and the thicker scales. It is definalty an upgrade and if you were to hold both I know you would agree.

In the end its up to you because they both shave GREAT and both will outlast me and eventually goto my son.

But I know you want a suggestion and I would say in the end you will be happier overall with the Micata. Its bold and beautiful and very easy to handle.

You will have to hear others chime in on the honig issues ...

Good luck and let us know what you decide.

PS... SRD is a GREAT place to buy from as you will get it FAST and honed super sharp and if there are any issues or questions you will be very well taken care of. SRD runs a 100% class operation that takes Pride before Profit very seriously.

TJosh, I feel the same as you do about buying as much quality as I can afford up front. I have never been sorry. I am new to straight razors as well (about 4 months). I purchased a kit from "Vintage Blades", with the Dovo Ebony Silver Steel razor as the blade. I opted for the professional honing. It has been quite a learning curve. My stropping technique was very poor at first. I'm a saddle worker by trade, so I have done a lot of stropping, but on a much coarser level, so it took awhile before I learned the right touch. One of the first things I did was knock a ding in the blade, so I ordered a combination Norton waterstone and learned how to hone a razor as well. Through all this the good old Dovo graciously accepted my bungling and has come through it unscathed, taught me well, and as my technique improves is giving me fantastic shaves. Long story short, I can highly recommend that razor as a good starter that won't let you down as your technique improves. Keep in mind that your first shaves may not be up to your expectations, but it is not the fault of the Dovo. Unfortunately, "Razor Aquisition Disease" has set in, and I have a Dovo Red Bismark on the way for the "required" second razor! Beware, my friend, you have been warned. By the way, I see the Silver Steel is out of stock at Vintage Blades.

The Dovo Special Tortoise is a great shave. It is as good as my 6/8 Thiers Issard, although it shaves differently because is is a 5/8. (Of course, my e-bay Boker is a good shaver, too.)

I bought a dovo blackstar several years ago. It has a very hollow grind and is quite light. It sings a pleasant song when I use it, however it requires complete cleaning and oiling each time it is used or corrosion forms quickly. I have removed it from my rotation because I like a heavier blade.

Before you purchase a "new" razor you owe it to yourself to look at the work of some of the member/artists that restore razors. Many of them can offer you a beautiful, classic razor that will not only shave as well as a new Dovo, but will also give you a thing of beauty for a similar price.

Take a look at Max's site for starters - Great Stuff! (Vintage Straight Razors, DE Razors, Honing & Restoration sevices, Sharpening and Shaving)

And watch out! RAD is incurable!

C302

I own a number of Dovos and have honed plenty, they are great razors.

I own a dovo special and and a dovo #41 SS. Both awesome razors. Depends how much you're willing to spend really. I would recommend you buy it prehoned for sure.

As far as I know the black star is not the 41 blade. The 41 is stainless, just as micarta which is also cryogenically tempered. the black star is not.