Thread: Real Dovo or Fake?

Hi I am new to this and am in the same boat as SoCalNewb I have limited funds and just cannot tell what razors are fake and what ones are real. I was thinking of buying this razor of ebay but don't know if its a fake it says that is a band of Dovo sold with no markings to keep price down it also specifies that the blade was made and honed in Solingen Germany and is new, the seller has 100% positive feedback too.

I would still keep an eye here for good deals on the classifieds. Keeping in mind that most of the blades you buy on ebay have to be honed you can add 20 to 25 more to the ebay price for getting it shave ready. I don't regret the blade we bought on ebay or the honing and restoring we are paying for but in hindsight maybe we should have bought from the classifieds first, learned a bit, and maybe then ventured into the ebay straight razor buying realm.

Although if you buy one and want it cleaned up and honed just the little bit of work I have seen that has been done on ours has been amazing. We were very impressed by the work a fellow member did so far.

Originally Posted by tophthegoph

Hi I am new to this and am in the same boat as SoCalNewb I have limited funds and just cannot tell what razors are fake and what ones are real. I was thinking of buying this razor of ebay but don't know if its a fake it says that is a band of Dovo sold with no markings to keep price down it also specifies that the blade was made and honed in Solingen Germany and is new, the seller has 100% positive feedback too.

i have one very similar to the one you posted. mine even has solingen on the scales. the name on the tang is printed on it and not stamped on mine. the thing only cost me $11 with s/h. it honed up ok but the metal is cheap and with only minimal honing the spine showed wear, this is not a good razor if it is the same as mine. you might ask the seller if the name on the tang is printed or stamped in the metal....i think you would be better getting a shave ready straight from the classifieds here...good luck

59caddy I asked the seller and he told me he bought a few of these razors in Germany and that the Solingen is stamped in the tang

The workmanship (or lack of) certainly speaks against it being a Dovo. What does it say on the other side of the tang? I know you don't want to conflate the two issues, but is there any chance of a picture of the razor that you acquired from this site? I only ask because the shop seems pretty emphatic in its judgement that that one's not good and if we could have a look at it it may give us a good clue as to whether their judgement is worth a fig.

That is an older model Dovo that Ross Cutlery has had in stock for a long time. Ross Cutlery is a very reputable firm. When this kind of thought crosses your mind ask yourself, "Would someone take the time to counterfit a Yugo"?

Originally Posted by John Crowley

That is an older model Dovo that Ross Cutlery has had in stock for a long time. Ross Cutlery is a very reputable firm. When this kind of thought crosses your mind ask yourself, "Would someone take the time to counterfit a Yugo"?

John - thanks for your comments. I was under the impression that Ross Cutlery is a very reputable shop, so I was glad to get your feedback reaffirming that.

You mentioned "That is an older model Dovo that Ross Cutlery has had in stock for a long time" - it sounds like you have some good knowledge of Ross Cutlery. Since this is a shop that you have some knowledge of, can you please share with me some more info about this model razor, and how you were able to confirm it is a Dovo? Thank you John.

Originally Posted by SoCalNewb

John - thanks for your comments. I was under the impression that Ross Cutlery is a very reputable shop, so I was glad to get your feedback reaffirming that.

You mentioned "That is an older model Dovo that Ross Cutlery has had in stock for a long time" - it sounds like you have some good knowledge of Ross Cutlery. Since this is a shop that you have some knowledge of, can you please share with me some more info about this model razor, and how you were able to confirm it is a Dovo? Thank you John.

I have recommended Ross Cutlery for years if you needed to have a razor reground. They have done this since Christ was a corporal. I have seen older model Dovo's with this exact set of celluloid scales. The fact that is says nothing on the opposit side doesn't indicate anything since Dovo has made so many razors for so many big name companies. Many were prepared in a die set with no scribing so they could be laser or acid etched later.[/

Originally Posted by John Crowley

That is an older model Dovo that Ross Cutlery has had in stock for a long time. Ross Cutlery is a very reputable firm. When this kind of thought crosses your mind ask yourself, "Would someone take the time to counterfit a Yugo"?

The Ross brothers are OK. They have been honing and regrinding razors for a long time, but kicked up their efforts when the boom started. I am doubtful (although anything is possible) that Ross has had this razor for any length of time as they usually sell everything they can get their hands on included DE's they refurbish. There are many shops in Solingen and there are many razors floating floating with Solingen stamped on them. I am not sure how much plain labeling Dovo is doing, especially considering they are doing everything they can to keep up with their own production.

I tend to look at Dovo's as more of the Ford or Chevy.

Have fun,

Lynn

Originally Posted by Lynn

The Ross brothers are OK. They have been honing and regrinding razors for a long time, but kicked up their efforts when the boom started. I am doubtful (although anything is possible) that Ross has had this razor for any length of time as they usually sell everything they can get their hands on included DE's they refurbish. There are many shops in Solingen and there are many razors floating floating with Solingen stamped on them. I am not sure how much plain labeling Dovo is doing, especially considering they are doing everything they can to keep up with their own production.

I tend to look at Dovo's as more of the Ford or Chevy.

Have fun,

Lynn

This too is a reasonable assesment.